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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Postgraduate Diploma
5. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Course Fact File

Code	PDCBT
Duration	2 Years part-time
Teaching Mode	Part-Time
Qualifications	PG Dip
NFQ Level	Level 9
Start Date	Not on offer 2025. Next intake September 2026

Course Outline

This Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) provides comprehensive training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The programme is offered part-time over two years. The course is aligned with the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).  Individuals who meet the criteria for core profession and successfully complete this programme will have met the minimum training standards and can apply for individual accreditation here.

Following successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma, students can progress to the MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy. It is also possible to exit after completing the first year with an award of Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (although this will not meet all the requirements to be accredited as a CBT Therapist).

The Postgraduate Diploma in CBT will provide comprehensive training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. At the end of the programme students will be competent in the delivery of CBT. Theoretical principles and competencies are covered as well as Clinical Supervision of practice with clients experiencing mental health difficulties.

Year 1 (30 credits)

• MH6001 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Core Competencies I (5 credits)
• MH6000 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Core Competencies II (5 credits)
• MH6139 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Supervised Practice 1 (5 credits)
• MH6137 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) models of Anxiety Disorders (10 credits)
• MH6136 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Behavioural Activation for Depression (5 credits)

Year 2 (30 credits)

• MH6003 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Supervised Practice  II (5 credits)
• NU6005 Evidence Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits) (Blended learning module)
• MH6134 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Depression and Comorbidity (5 credits)
• MH6133 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Complex Cases (10credits) 

If you successfully complete the PG Diploma you can register for the Masters programme in Year 3 (30 credits).

Year 3 MSc Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (30 credits)

• MH6004 Dissertation in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (20 credits)
• MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

Course Practicalities

Students undertaking this programme will attend for a full week in September along with one evening per week between September and May per year. Students will be required to undertake clinical supervision of their practice with an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist. The university will provide a list of accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapists. The cost of clinical supervision will be the responsibility of individual students. Each student must ensure they have access to individuals experiencing mental health difficulties in order to undertake the clinical component of this programme.

One module (NU6005) is a Blended Learning module which will be taken alongside other postgraduate diploma students.  This module consists of online coursework, shared learning using discussion boards and attendance at workshops.  Support is provided by an appropriate member of staff.

Assessment

Assessment of this course will include video work, reflective reports, case presentations, practice assessment, written assignments and submission of taped video sessions.

Who teaches this course

Lecturers along with CBT Therapists and Clinical Psychologists in practice.  A list of accredited supervisors will be provided.

Why Choose This Course

The course is relevant to all healthcare professionals, particularly those working in the area of mental health such as psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists and allied professionals.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy involves lectures and workshops from Cognitive Behavioural Therapists and Clinical Psychologists in practice allowing students to apply CBT theory and research into clinical practice by experienced clinicians. You will learn the core principles of CBT across the lifespan and also address complexity and transdiagnostic factors and strategies to address these. Clinical practice commences in semester two of year one and involves clinical supervision of practice allowing students to develop their practice competencies in cognitive behavioural therapy supported by a strong evidence base.

Upon successful completion of the course students will be eligible to apply for BABCP provisional accreditation.  The course has been given Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) category 11 approval. 

Top 50 Nursing School in the World

The School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, has been ranked within the top 50 nursing schools in the world, according to the QS global subject rankings. The school provides a world-class environment for cutting-edge research to prepare tomorrow’s nurses to shape and advance health care practices through research and education. Within UCC’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, researchers are addressing global challenges, including the growing burden of diseases, nurse workforce requirements, population ageing, and sustainable approaches to healthcare and health promotion and our teaching staff are at the forefront of these developments.

Skills and Careers Information

If you are a caring professional who would like to develop expertise in evidence based therapy, this course is for you. This programme will enable you to become a reflective practitioner and increase your awareness and theoretical understanding of cognitive behavioural therapy. It will encourage you to adopt an informed and critical approach to the professionalisation of therapy. It will further increase your theoretical understanding and practical application of CBT by enhancing your clinical and professional skills thereby allowing you to work towards practicing as a cognitive behavioural therapist.

Requirements

Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy will normally meet the following conditions:

1. Have a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or an equivalent qualification in a relevant subject (e.g. Nursing, Medicine, Social Work, Clinical Therapies, or other allied disciplines).

2. Be a practising professional in a recognised Core Profession* as follows:

• • Arts Therapists – Registered with appropriate body.
  • Counselling – Accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), National Counselling Society (NCS), Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA), OR Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals’ National Counsellor Accreditation Certificate (FDAP NCAC)
  • Medicine – Psychiatrist or General Practitioner, MBChB or MBBS, and usually PG training with membership of ICGP/ MRCGP, College of Psychiatrists/ MRCP or MRCPsych
  • Occupational Therapy – BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, MSc Occupational Therapy, OR Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists (DipCOT) and CORU Registered
  • Psychotherapy/ Psychotherapeutic Counselling – Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) or United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) Registered
  • Registered Nurse – Mental Health (RPN), or Learning Disability registered with the NMBI
  • Social Work – Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW), Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), MA Social Work, or BA/BSc Hons Social Work. Registered in Ireland with CORU or in the UK with one of four UK regulators - Social Work England (SWE), Social Care Wales (SCW), Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) and Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
  • Postgraduate Doctorate in Clinical/Counselling Psychology - accredited by the Irish or British Psychological Society (BPS) and Registered as Practitioner Psychologist
  • Educational Psychology - Doctorate or Qualification in Educational Psychology Stage 2 (QEPS) - must have PSI Ireland/ BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist
  • Health Psychology – Qualification in Health Psychology Stage 2 (QHP) - must have PSI Ireland/ BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist
  • Forensic Psychology – Qualification in Forensic Psychology Stage 2 (QFP) - must have PSI Ireland/ BPS Chartership (CPsychol) and HCPC Registration as Practitioner Psychologist

3. Applicants must provide evidence of current registration with the relevant professional regulatory body as detailed above (e.g. The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, the Irish Medical Council, the Health & Social Care Professions Council or be eligible for such registration).

4. Have a minimum of 36 months post registration experience working within a health care or education setting.

5. All applicants for the postgraduate diploma programme must provide the name and contact details of two referees; at least one of these must be from a work source, either voluntary or paid, who is familiar with their work practice with regards to their suitability for undertaking this programme. The other referee can be from a service user or an employer.

In cases where the number of suitably qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available, selection will be made by interview.

*Core Professions are those recognized by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP). For a full list please see here.

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

Deferrals

Deferrals are not permitted on this course.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• Please add the name and email address of two referees.
• Please upload certification of current registration with the appropriate professional body. All applicants must also submit a signed Declaration Form, to be completed by the Director of Nursing/Equivalent Authorised Manager. This form is downloadable here: PG Diploma CBT Declaration Form

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