Program start date | Application deadline |
2024-01-01 | - |
Program Overview
Advanced Supervision (PGCert)
Award
Postgraduate Certificate
Typical Offer
2:2 degree
Duration
1 year
Course Type
Part-time
Campus
Highfield
Next course starts
January 2024
About this course
This certificate in advanced supervision training is designed to support clinicians working in mental health settings. You'll learn to supervise trainee and qualified low intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) staff in mental health support teams.
The course supports clinical supervisors working within mental health settings, supporting children and young people with mental health problems. Our clinical supervision training builds upon your existing expertise and supervisory practice. Typically, prospective students will have previously completed their own mental health training and gained accreditation.
You will gain an understanding of what makes for good supervision and what qualities are needed to become a competent clinical supervisor, incorporating pedagogical methods. Training is provided in two common types of supervision at a low intensity level, and we support trainee supervisor’s to put theory into practice.
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.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Course lead
Mrs Sarah Monk is a trained cognitive behavioural therapist (CBT) specialising in children and young people’s mental health and low intensity working. Sarah has worked in a child and adolescent mental health service and is accredited by the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). Sarah is a qualified CBT supervisor and the programme director of the education mental health practitioner (EMHP) course.
Visit Sarah’s profile page to learn more.
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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ODT
Download Course Description Document
Entry requirements
A 2:2 honours degree (or its international equivalent) in psychology or a related subject, with relevant clinical training and experience.
If you do not have a degree, you must have completed clinical training in a similar area.
For example:
- children's wellbeing practitioner (CWP)
- education mental health practitioner (EMHP)
- psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP)
- cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
You must also be working in a mental health support team or a children and young people’s mental health service. You should either currently be supervising or have intentions to begin supervising low intensity CBT staff.
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
You may also apply if you have professional training in any of these areas:
- psychology
- social work
- occupational therapy
- nursing
- mental healthcare
You must have experience in CBT, specifically low intensity CBT, which will be assessed in your 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
This advanced clinical supervision course takes place over 12 months, from January to January. It is taught using both online and on campus teaching. The course has 2 modules. Module 1 focuses on the theoretical underpinning of evidence based supervision. In module 2 you will translate this in to clinical supervision practice.
Your theory module looks at what makes a rich learning environment and how supervisors can achieve this. You'll attend extra training days based on you specific experience. This will develop your understanding of specific CBT interventions and holistic approaches in school settings.
You'll have the opportunity to put theory into practice through observing supervision, and later conducting your own supervision guided by qualified university staff. You will receive regular feedback on your supervision from tutors and peers.
You will:
- analyse your clinical skills supervision through live observations and recordings
- receive feedback on your competencies using the SAGE tool
- attend regular University led meta-supervision
In addition it is expected you'll receive your own supervision to help navigate challenges and difficulties within the supervision process. Should you supervise trainees, the University will provide opportunities for you to reflect on the trainee educational mental health practitioners (EMHPs) progress and discuss any challenges within their training.
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 :
Supervision I
Across all psychological interventions in child mental health or education settings, it is increasingly recognised that clinical supervision plays a fundamental role in improving clinical outcomes; supporting practitioners and ensuring safe and effective ...
Supervision II
Within CYP mental health settings and education settings, it is becoming increasingly recognised that clinical supervision plays a fundamental role in improving clinical outcomes, supporting practitioners and ensuring safe and efficient practice. In this ...
Learning and assessment
Learning
You'll learn through a variety of methods, including:
- lectures
- workshops and demonstrations
- experiential work
- role play
- independent learning (studying on your own)
Assessment
We'll assess you through:
- essays
- supervised recordings
- a clinical portfolio
Academic Support
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on your course. All staff members are clinically qualified in CBT and have completed supervision training themselves.
The Student Support Hub can help with your questions or concerns about your wellbeing, fees and funding, accommodation, or visas.
Visit the Student Support Hub.
You will also be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor, who will offer one to one support and advice throughout your time at Southampton. They will support you in your studies or with other issues you may have.
Find out more information on Personal Academic Tutors.
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
Fees for this course are paid by Health Education England on behalf of the NHS. For access to this training course, please discuss this with your line or service manager. There is no self funded option available.
What your fees pay for
The fees pay for your training as part of your ongoing professional development within a current clinical role.
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
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 EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
You must apply for this course through your clinical service. You can speak to your service manager if you feel this course matches your skill set. Interviews are conducted jointly with the University and your service.
On occasion, roles may be advertised on NHS Jobs. Visit the NHS Jobs website.
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Application deadlines
There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:
- International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
- UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
Supporting information
A colleague from the University will advise on any supporting information you may need to provide.
What happens after you apply
You will be asked to interview with the University for acceptance on to the course. If successful, you will be sent an application link to apply to the programme.
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.
Related courses
Advanced Supervision (PGCert) is a course in the Psychology subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:
PGCert
Psychological Practitioner in Homelessness
Accepting applications from 2025.
Course subject to approval
a
PGDip
Advanced Clinical Practice and Supervision (Senior Wellbeing Practitioner)
Typical offer: 2:2 degree
Duration: 2 years
c
PGDip
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (Anxiety and Depression)
Typical offer: 2:1 degree
Duration: 1 year
PGDip
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (Severe Mental Health)
Typical offer: 2:1 degree
Duration: 2 years
PGCert
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (Severe Mental Health)
Typical offer: 2:1 degree
Duration: 1 year
e
PGDip
Education Mental Health Practitioner
Typical offer: 2:2 degree
Duration: 1 year
f
MSc
Foundations of Clinical Psychology
Typical offer: 2:1 degree
Duration: 1 year
h
MSc
Health Psychology
Typical offer: 2:1 degree
Duration: 1 year
l
PGCert
Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with IAPT PWP Status
Typical offer: 2:2 degree
Duration: 1 year
p
MSc
Psychology
Typical offer: 2:1 degree
Duration: 1 year
MSc
Psychology: Cognitive Psychology
Typical offer: 2:1 degree
Duration: 1 year
MSc
Psychology: Research Methods
Typical offer: 2:1 degree
Duration: 1 year
MSc
Psychology: Social Psychology
Typical offer: 2:1 degree
Duration: 1 year
Program Outline
Careers:
This training gives you a career progression pathway from band 5 to band 6 in the NHS pay structure. It will also improve your clinical skills and practice.
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Entry Requirements:
A 2:2 honours degree (or its international equivalent) in psychology or a related subject, with relevant clinical training and experience. If you do not have a degree, you must have completed clinical training in a similar area. For example: children's wellbeing practitioner (CWP) education mental health practitioner (EMHP) psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP) cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) You must also be working in a mental health support team or a children and young people’s mental health service. You should either currently be supervising or have intentions to begin supervising low intensity CBT staff. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum: IELTS score requirements overall score 5 reading 0 writing 0 speaking 0 listening 0