Program Overview

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About this course

Learn the skills to work as a psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP) and help treat people with anxiety and depression on this PGCert in Low Intensity CBT with IAPT PWP Status. Our expert academics will train you to deliver psychological interventions within a stepped care model. You’ll complement your learning with clinical work in approved IAPT service, allowing you to apply theory in a real-life setting.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy used to help patients change negative patterns of thinking or behaviour. It’s recommended by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for the treatment of a range of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.

This part-time course is aimed at people who want to work in a stepped care Adult Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service.

You’ll learn how to deliver low intensity CBT to support people with common mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, and help them to self-manage.

By the end of the course you’ll be able to:

• interview patients to identify their main difficulties or things they want to change
• deliver low intensity CBT interventions by providing information and support for treatment to patients suffering from common mental health problems
• operate from an inclusive values base which promotes recovery and respects diversity
• manage caseloads
• work safely and to high standards
• use supervision to aid clinical decision-making

Successful graduates will be able to work as a qualified PWP in an IAPT or low intensity CBT service.

This course is subject to Programme Approval and Review.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Your course leader is Mia Kylamartilla.

Accreditations

British Psychological Society (BPS)

Learn more about this subject area

Psychology

Discover the thought processes, emotions and behaviour of the human brain. Use specialist labs that include virtual reality, MRI and eye-tracking facilities as you work towards a career in psychology.

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

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Entry requirements

You’ll need a 2:2 degree in a clinical, health or science subject.

You should have secured recruitment into a trainee PWP post in an IAPT service.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Course structure

The course consists of 3 compulsory modules, all of which you must pass.

We’ll ask you to complete an assessment of practice document which measures clinical competence and the development of skills. This can be evidenced through reflective pieces and completion of supervision logs.

Your supervisor will also sign a final statement to indicate that you’re competent to practise as a psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP).

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

Engagement and Assessment of Patients with Common Mental Health Problems Using Low Intensity CBT (PWP Route)

PWPs assess and support people with common mental health problems in the self-management of their recovery. To do so they must be able to undertake a range of patient-centred assessments and be able to identify the main areas of concern relevant to the assessment of common mental health problems.

Evidenced Based Low Intensity CBT Treatment for Common Mental Health Disorders (PWP Route) Level 7

PWPs aid clinical improvement through the provision of information and support for evidence-based low-intensity psychological treatments and regularly used pharmacological treatments of common mental health problems. Low-intensity psychological treatments are designed to be delivered in a stepped care model.

Values, Diversity and Context (PWP Route) Level 7

PWPs operate at all times from an inclusive values base which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity. Diversity represents the range of cultural norms including personal, family, social and spiritual values held by the diverse communities.

Learning and assessment

Learning

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• skills training workshops
• clinical simulations
• group discussions
• directed study

Assessment

We’ll assess you through:

• clinical assessment session
• therapy recording
• clinical case presentation
• reflective essay
• assessment of practice document

Academic Support

We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.

Careers and employability

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Health Education England (HEE) will pay your fees for this course.

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £4,782.
• This course is not available to EU and international students.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Contact your Service or Trust Lead for information on application deadlines.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two academic references.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

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