Postgraduate MSc/PgDip/PgCert

Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy

Attendance

Full-time

Part-time

Course

One year

Two year

Next enrolment

September 2025

Introduction

In a nutshell

This course can be studied at postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, and master’s level.

The postgraduate diploma and master’s level are accredited at Level One with the BABCP (British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists). This means you can apply for accreditation upon completion of the course, after accumulating 200 hours of clinical practice and 40 hours of supervision.

You will gain insight into how to use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) creatively and collaboratively with clients, as well as how to assess, formulate, provide interventions, and evaluate your work with them. This course focuses on interventions with clients who have anxiety and depression, as well as those with personality disorders, schizophrenia, and other complex needs. There are also opportunities to study new developments in CBT, particularly those related to mindfulness and compassion-focused therapy.

You will also have access to the CBT symposium, which we hold annually at Salford. This two-day event brings together clinicians, academics, and professionals from the CBT workforce to network and discuss best practices. It’s an opportunity for you to see CBT in action.

Please note: Due to the structure of this programme, it is not available to applicants who require a Student Visa.

You will:

  • Study new developments in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
  • Focus on interventions with clients who have anxiety and depression, as well as those with personality disorders, schizophrenia, and other complex needs.

Course accreditations

BABCP (accreditation course) logo

This is for you if...

1.

You have two years of experience in a mental health setting and an active interest in working as a CBT therapist.

2.

You are able to access a clinical placement where you can undertake CBT on a one-to-one basis.

3.

You are interested in working in a therapeutic role and have the ability to understand people and remain calm in stressful situations.

Course details

All about the course

The course aims to provide students with:

  • A sound knowledge of cognitive behavioural models, concepts, and methods
  • An understanding of issues of importance relating to the theory and practice of CBT, including:
    • The relationship between CBT theory and therapy
    • The use of CBT with a variety of client groups and disorders
    • Related research on outcome and process
  • Competence in assessing and treating patients using CBT:
    • In assessing patient suitability for CBT
    • In developing CBT case formulations
    • In devising and implementing individual treatment programmes
    • In evaluating their effects
  • The ability to convey the central concepts of CBT and to communicate basic treatment skills

The course does not aim to prepare students to teach and supervise CBT. The emphasis is on acquiring, practising, and communicating specialised clinical skills within an explicit theoretical framework supported by associated empirical research.

Course Structure

The course begins in September. You will attend the University for half a day if you are part-time, or for a full day (split over two afternoons) if you are full-time. Students receive two hours of small group supervision weekly, focusing on CBT skills development. In teaching sessions, emphasis is placed on observing CBT in action and on experiential learning through participation in role-play and other practical exercises.

Students must have access to adult treatment settings where they can access training cases suitable for novice CBT therapists (i.e., mild to moderate presentations of common mental health problems) and where cognitive behavioural therapy skills can be practised and refined regularly throughout the course. Students will also be responsible for arranging regular CBT supervision in the treatment setting with a qualified CBT practitioner.

Reading and completing written assignments will be undertaken in addition to the teaching days outlined above. Many students find it effective to set aside six to seven hours per week for private study. Some of the teaching days on this course may be made available to a wider audience.

  • Master's (MSc): one year full-time; two years part-time
  • Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip): one year full-time; two years part-time

This course involves a range of half-day and full-day sessions. Optional modules on the part-time route may be delivered in a series of block sessions. You will also have the chance to exit with the following awards:

  • Postgraduate Certificate in CBT – 60 credits

Depending on your level of experience and professional interests, you can choose to study a variety of modules.

Full-Time Study Option

The course requires the completion of:

Year One

  • Semester One: one module
  • Semester Two: two modules
  • Semesters One and Two: one module spanning both semesters
  • Semester Three: Dissertation

For module descriptions, please see below.

Part-Time Study Option

The course requires the completion of two modules in year one, two modules in year two, and the dissertation in year three.

Year One, Semester One:

  • Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (30 credits)

Year One, Semester Two:

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Anxiety Disorders and Addictive Behaviour (30 credits)

Year Two, Semester One:

  • CBT Protocols and Skills Part One

Year Two, Semester Two:

  • CBT Protocols and Skills Part Two plus choose one of the following modules:
    • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Complex Cases (30 credits)
    • Compassion-Focused Therapy (30 credits)
    • Mindfulness-Based Approaches with CBT (30 credits)
    • CBT for Children and Young People (30 credits)

Year Three, Semester Three:

  • Dissertation (60 credits)
Semester one

Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the theory and practical application of CBT, together with the critical evaluation of its use in addiction and associated depression and anxiety disorders. 

CBT Protocol and Skills Part One

This module will provide you with a rigorous theoretical and evidence based understanding of specific protocols related to key disorders where CBT can be demonstrated as a therapy in a practice area. It will enable you to critically assess the use of cognitive behaviour therapy skills for practical application.

Semester two

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Anxiety Disorders and Addictive Behaviour

Assess treatment methods for clients with anxiety disorders and/ or addictive behaviour, and use a conceptualisation methodology to evaluate courses of therapy. 

CBT Protocol and Skills Part Two

This module will build on 'Part One' to further develop your understanding of specific protocols related to key disorders where CBT can be demonstrated as a therapy in a practice area.  

 

Choose from one of the following optional modules: 

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Complex Cases

Develop and enhance your skills in the use of CBT, enabling you to work with clients with complex and/ or long-term needs. 

Compassion Focused Therapy

This module aims to focus on the development and use of compassion in therapy. It uses work from Paul Gilbert, Chris Irons and Elaine Beaumont; focusing on the principles of compassion towards care and understanding. 

Mindfulness Based Approaches with CBT

Explore your practice of mindfulness with the context of CBT.

CBT for Children and Young People

Enhance your knowledge, skills and interpersonal awareness in order to provide CBT for children and young people. You will be required to use CBT within your work/ voluntary placement setting and you will need to access CBT supervision for at least one hour per month. 

Semester three

Dissertation

Provides you with the opportunity to pursue an area of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy that directly relates to your own work or interests.

Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.

What will I be doing?

Teaching

Learning is delivered via blended learning methods including:

  • Tutor and peer practical in-class assessment
  • Case studies
  • Reflective assignments and portfolios of learning

Assessment

  • Tutor and peer practical in-class assessment
  • Case studies
  • Reflective assignments and portfolios of learning

To complete the PgCert in CBT you will need to:

  • Take an active part in teaching and supervision sessions

The School of Health and Society

The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.

Our courses are informed by the latest research, and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice. The University has received approval for a new health building on the Frederick Road campus which will create brand new teaching spaces, including new Podiatry spaces. Construction will begin in late 2024, with completion expected by Autumn 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a health and wellbeing hub, supporting popular healthcare courses and community services. It will feature sustainable design elements and provide modern clinical facilities to enhance student learning and community engagement. Find out more about our new Health Building.

In time community healthcare clinics will also take place there as partnerships are developed to explore research opportunities and to provide a range of therapeutic sessions.

Teaching staff

Would you like to learn more about the programme or get in touch with the programme lead? Please contact our admissions lead, Josie Sensier using the following email address: J.Sensier@salford.ac.uk

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

This master's course has been designed to meet the growing need for people to have the skill set to work with clients with complex needs or mild to moderate mental health issues. 

Many of our students are already in employment, but inform us that this course enhances their career prospects or offers a new career pathway. 

Career Links

This course was created after a request from the North West Strategic Health Authority. Some students will be able to use the Service Level Agreement in place to fund these modules. Other students will self-fund or request funding from their employer.

Requirements

What you need to know

Applicants must have one year of post-qualification experience in a mental health setting and an active interest in cognitive behavioural work. Applicants must have an active placement where they can work with clients and have approval to use clients as part of their coursework.

Students should access supervision from someone with experience in CBT. If the student does not have a core profession, then the KSA (see BABCP guidance) will need to have been commenced and be available to support any application.

This course is accredited with the BABCP at Level 1. We fulfil all the 200 teaching hours and case studies. The 200 clinical hours and 40 supervision hours can be completed after the course to meet accreditation requirements. We provide a portfolio of all tasks completed on the course.

Placement suggestions and advice are offered by the course, as well as consultation with our industry links, but we do not directly provide placements.

A DBS equivalent for international students is required.

Interview Process

Before the interview, most applicants will need to complete a first draft of sections 1-4 of the KSA document. This will be shown to us during your interview.

You may not, however, need to complete a KSA prior to the course, and you can check if your core profession is eligible on the BABCP website. You may only need to complete a condensed KSA, which you can check on the BABCP website.

Standard entry requirements

Undergraduate degree

An upper second class honours degree (2.1) in psychology or other health/social care related discipline, e.g. counselling, health sciences, nursing.

OR an honours degree (in any discipline) (2.2 or above) and a diploma in counselling or its UKCP or BPS equivalent.

International Students

We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.

English language requirements

If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course to gain entry onto this degree.

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

To be considered for the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme you must have already achieved or be working towards GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 (or equivalent).

How much?

Type of study Year Fees
Full-time home 2025/26 £9,100 per year
Full-time international 2025/26 £17,000 per year

Additional costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Scholarships for international students

If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. See the full range of our International Scholarships.

Apply now

All Set? Let's Apply

Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us:

By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545

Enrolment dates

September 2025

September 2026