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Title : MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

: 11

Mode of delivery : Part-time

Duration : 1 - 2 years

Language of delivery : English

First approved: 2004

Most recent approval: 2024

External accreditation or recognition: British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies

Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/MSc in CBT (120 credits)

Module 1:      Principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (20 credits) (exit point for mod. 1 introduction to CBT)

Modules 2:    Application of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (20 credits)

Module 3:      Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Anxiety and Depression (20 credits) (exit point for Cert.)

Module 4:      Research Skills in CBT (20 credits)

Module 5:      Advanced CBT for Anxiety Disorders & Depression (20 credits)

Module 6:      Introduction to Complex Adaptation of CBT (20 credits) (exit point for Diploma)

Modules 7-9:   Dissertation (60 credits)

Placements:

Placements are identified by the NHS Boards at selection, in collaboration with the Psychological Therapies Training Coordination (PTTC) in the relevant NHS Board for duration of 12-24 months. This is usually in the trainee’s workplace, when the patient group is deemed suitable for the level of training. Alternative arrangements can be made if the trainee’s current workplace is deemed unsuitable.

All local placement supervisors are identified by the trainee with support from the PTTC in their NHS board and are screened for suitability by the course.  

The course offers group accredited supervision: supervision training, open access to course tutors and mid-training review discussions.

Professional registration:

The programme is designed to allow trainees to meet the competencies required to practice CBT in line with the CBT competency framework (Roth & Pilling, 2007), Department of Health.

Completion of Diploma level training prepares trainees to apply for accreditation with BABCP.

Any other important points: 

Subsidiary exit points of PG Certificate and PG Diploma are in place on the programme.

Entry qualifications

The following guidelines are intended to ensure consistency with the entry standards set by the University.  These guidelines are subject to review.

Standard Entry

Normally candidates who apply will be:

• A UK registered health care professional from psychiatry, psychology, occupational therapy, social work and nursing or general medical practice
• Working in an area where they can practise cognitive behavioural therapy
• Experienced in working with people with mental health problems on an individual case work basis, including history taking, and be competent at managing their own caseload
• Have a caseload, or access to a caseload of patients suitable for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Normally, candidates:

• Should be in possession of a relevant first degree (honours level is preferable but not essential) or show equivalent level of study (e.g. a recent professional qualification in an appropriate field or professional updating through Continuing Professional Development)
• Should be able to demonstrate statement of equivalence with regards to professional qualifications if studied abroad. Applicants who have obtained their qualifications abroad should submit details of these to the programme team who will ask the admissions team at QMU to clarify if a statement of equivalence can be issued.
• Should be able to provide evidence in the application form of the influence of psychological theory to their clinical work.
• Should be able to provide 2 referees who can vouch for their professional qualifications and ability.

In addition, acceptance onto the Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy will be based on a fully completed application form, an agreement that funding for the Programme has been secured, and an interview.  Interviews will usually take place by video call by Microsoft Teams or can take place in person in Edinburgh before the programme commences.

Non-Standard Entry

Non-standard entry applicants may be eligible for admission via the Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (KSA) route  In addition applicants who do not meet standard entry requirements may be considered for acceptance to the programme by applying for advanced standing, in accordance with QMU RPL regulations, details at: Recognition of Prior Learning | ¹û¶³´«Ã½ (qmu.ac.uk)                     

Candidates will usually have an acceptable Core Profession as defined by BABCP, for entry to the postgraduate awards students must have maintained this professional qualification and may be registered with key professional bodies.

In the absence of a recognised Core Profession a candidate must have the potential to meet the BABCP KSA criteria, submitting a draft KSA portfolio at the point interview. The portfolio must be assessed and passed by the programme team prior to the commencement of the programme.

Candidates should normally have completed at least two years post-registration experience and have experience in an area where students are gaining practice experience relevant to their registration.

Students with disabilities

Applications from all students will be assessed on the basis of academic suitability for the course in question. Discussions about the support requirements of students will be separate from that consideration. The admissions policy and procedure for disabled applicants can be found in the University’s Admissions Policy (Section 7.0) qmu.ac.uk/document-migration-august-2022/paul/quality/qmu-disability-policy/

No applicant who is deemed to be academically suitable for entry will be refused entry on the grounds of disability without sound and compelling reasons. The University’s Student Disability Advisor will be consulted whenever there is doubt or whenever further advice is needed.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants may apply through the QMU RPL process for admission with advanced standing. Application for RPL cannot be made until the student is matriculated onto a programme and must demonstrate achievement in relation to all components of the professional curriculum.  An experienced practitioner in a position of responsibility within education will verify such claims. Recognition of Prior Learning | ¹û¶³´«Ã½ (qmu.ac.uk)

Criminal conviction checks

Admission to the programmes is dependent on a satisfactory formal Protection of Vulnerable Groups check at the enhanced level. These are conducted via Disclosure Scotland, the Criminal Records Bureau in England and Wales, or the Police Service of Northern Ireland. A Certificate of Good Conduct from an Embassy, Consulate or National Police Force of other countries will be required.

BABCP Membership and Code of Conduct.

Admission to the programme requires applicants to become student members of BABCP and to sign up to the BABCP code of conduct.

Fitness to Study & Fitness to practice

Trainees are expected to adhere to the BABCP code of conduct.   Moreover, clinical practice will be in concordance with the professional guidelines relevant to each trainee, for example, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), Royal College of Psychiatry and NHS ethical principles and codes of practice. 

The programme does not hold clinical governance responsibility for the patients discussed in supervision. The student should have an agreement in place to cover clinical governance responsibility from the service from which they receive referrals. All professional and clinical issues discussed are confidential and are not to be disclosed outside the supervision session.   Exceptions to this are where professional malpractice may be evident, where risk issues are identified or if there is a requirement to release information by a Court of Law, Coroner’s Office or Professional Body. 

Where there are any concerns about a trainee’s Fitness to study or Fitness to Practice, there will be a joint approach between the Programme Director, the trainee’s placement supervisor, service manager and ¹û¶³´«Ã½.

Where a trainee is an NHS employee any fitness to practice concerns will be led by the appropriate manager in the relevant NHS Board. For trainees in non-NHS placements arrangements for any fitness to practice concerns will be discussed at interview to ensure the placement has robust governance policy and clinical governance contract in place throughout the placement.

English language requirements

Applicants must be able to communicate in English to a standard equivalent to level 6.5 of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no element below 6.0.

English Language Requirements | International Students | ¹û¶³´«Ã½ (qmu.ac.uk)