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The demand for psychological therapies is increasing and CBT is an evidence-based approach recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for a wide range of mental health conditions, yet the availability of appropriately trained therapists in Wales is scarce.

To meet this demand, ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ have been commissioned by HEIW to provide Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert CBT) and Postgraduate Diploma training in CBT (PG Dip CBT).

There are two part-time postgraduate programmes in Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT) available at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ: a one-year Certificate and a two-year Diploma programme.  Students are expected to register for the Certificate in the first instance and must pass all 3 modules to progress to the Diploma. Our programme aims to meet the high-quality standards in education set by the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (BABCP). The syllabus is aligned with the BABCP Minimum Training Standards, Core Curriculum and Roth and Pilling competency framework for CBT with anxiety disorders and depression. The programme aims to provide a broad-based training ensuring that on qualification, you are ready to work in the range of mental health services offered across Wales.  

Both the PG Cert and PG Dip are one day a week part-time programmes and have the same content in year 1.  Academic teaching is delivered primarily as 1 day each week across the academic year.  You will be conducting clinical work in your place of employment.  You will be supported in your place of work by your clinical supervisor and will also have a personal tutor allocated to you from the University programme who will support you with your academic work and liaise with your clinical supervisor about your progress.

• Aligned with BABCP Minimum Training Standards for practitioner accreditation
• Develop advanced CBT skills for complex and co-morbid mental health presentations
• Focus on evidence-based interventions for depression and anxiety
• Part-time structure supports working professionals
• Taught by experienced clinicians and academic experts in CBT
• Strong employment outcomes in NHS, private practice, and academic settings
   

What will you study on this course?

We have designed the course in a way that will help trainees build their skills in CBT systematically.  In Year One, we focus on helping them develop clinical competence and understanding of how to work with common mental health problems. Firstly, they will learn the generic and core competencies of how to structure clinical sessions and how to elicit pertinent information from their clients during assessment.  This will be informed by the Roth and Pilling competence framework and the widely used skills measure the Cognitive Therapy Scale-Revised (CTS-R).

In Year Two, eligible candidates will enroll on the PG Diploma where we will look to consolidate their knowledge and skills in treating common mental health problems whilst considering how we adapt these core models and methods when working with more specialist populations.  Transition to Year Two will depend on passing all elements of Year One and available funding.

These modules will help to develop ‘meta-competencies’ where trainees will gain a deeper understanding of the shared processes across clinical presentations (transdiagnostic factors). Trainees will also learn advanced skills to be able to work with specific blocks in treatment or when there is considerable co-morbidity or chronicity.

How you will study?

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Group work
• Self-study
• Mentoring
• One-to-one
• Online workshops
   

How you are assessed?

• Essay
• Oral Presentation
• Written case studies
• Submission of video-recorded therapy

This information is for guide purposes only and may be subject to change.

Placements

Students will be NHS employees who will be allocated time within their working hours to see clients for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in their workplace.
 

Interviews

Interviews take place in person at ³ÉÈËVRÊÓƵ around June each year and will involve a combination of questions and a role play task.
 

There are a limited number of funded places each year for the Post Graduate Certificate and Post Graduate Diploma. Candidates must be employed with the NHS and work in either Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB. Successful candidates will have their fees covered via Health Education Improvement Wales.

Each applicant must have:

• Evidence of academic capability to complete this award (2ii or above in related subject OR satisfactory completion of academic screening task as part of the interview process)
• A relevant core professional training such as mental health nursing, social work, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy OR
• A KSA portfolio demonstrating that they satisfy the knowledge, skills and attitudes requirement as specified by the British Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapies.
• Access to a work setting in which they can practice individual CBT with clients experiencing common mental health difficulties for at least one day per week
• Access to a current BABCP accredited or accreditable practitioner who can offer individual or group supervision in addition to the group supervision that is offered as part of the award.
• Access to a work setting that will allow the audio/video recording of client work to be assessed in an academic setting
• For applicants with English as a second language - IELTS 7 and clear evidence of communication skills through the medium of English. This is an essential professional requirement, as the students will be completing placements in which they will offer talking therapy to vulnerable individuals
• Personal suitability as assessed by interview and employer references
• Applicants must show evidence of having passed an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before registration on this course.
• Membership of BABCP at the start of the programme.

Applicants who have completed PHP4301 and PHP4400 during the period 2015-2025 will be able to accredit this prior learning for the Certificate.

To train in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy you will need to have a 'core profession' as defined by the BABCP. Applicants who do not have a core profession might be eligible via the KSA Portfolio route.  Please visit the BABCP website for more details.
 

Successful completion of the Post Graduate Certificate will equip graduates with core skills in applying evidence-based formulations and interventions for clients experiencing depression or an anxiety disorder. The course content provides graduates with some of the evidence that they would need if they wished to apply for practitioner accreditation with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).

Successful completion of the Post Graduate Diploma will provide graduates with advanced skills in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, equipping them to formulate and provide interventions where clients have complex or co-morbid mental health difficulties. The course content is aligned with the BABCP Minimum Training Standards and Core Curriculum therefore graduates will be in a strong position to apply for practitioner accreditation upon completion.

• Work as a qualified CBT therapist
• Employment in hospitals, community mental health teams, and private practice settings
• Roles in social care, education, and third-sector organisations such as charities and community wellbeing services
• Career progression toward senior therapist, clinical supervisor, or service lead roles
• Pathway to accreditation with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
• Alumni have secured roles in NHS Trusts, specialist mental health clinics, prisons, and employee assistance programmes (EAPs)

The course starts in October every year, however, applications are welcome at any time throughout the year.  Applications will not be accepted any later than the end of April for the intake that starts in October of the same year. 

Shortlisting usually takes place in May with interviews held on campus at various times in June.

To register your interest and start your application process, please email nwcppacademic@bangor.ac.uk