Cognitive Behaviour Therapy High Intensity PGDip

CBT is an increasingly popular form of evidence-based psychological therapy. Upon completion of this course, you’ll be well-equipped to use CBT to help people explore and change the patterns of thinking and behaviour that contribute to difficulties with anxiety and depression.

Course Structure

Funded entirely by NHS England, this course offers a unique opportunity for salaried postgraduate training for aspiring High Intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapists. The course is specifically designed to train therapists to work within the NHS Talking Therapies service, providing therapy to people experiencing problems with anxiety and depression. It focusses on helping students gain the necessary knowledge and clinical skills to utilise evidence-based CBT interventions. We set you up to offer ‘high intensity’ CBT for people with 'moderate' and 'moderate to severe' depression and anxiety to function as skilled and independent cognitive behavioural psychotherapists.

• Get trained to work within the NHS Talking Therapies service
• Reach the necessary standards required for provisional accreditation with the BABPC
• Gain critical knowledge of the theory and research relating to high intensity CBT

• Lectures - on-campus lectures covering a wide range of theoretical and practical aspects of CBT.
• Workshops - opportunities to watch live demonstrations of therapeutic techniques - opportunities for role-play and real-play practice.
• Practical assignments - include case studies, audio and video recordings of therapy sessions.
• Online live classes - online lectures covering a wide range of theoretical and practical aspects of CBT with pportunities to observe and practice delivering therapy online.
• Supervision - weekly group and 1:1 supervision sessions at University and on placement.

The course begins with an initial 15-day teaching block, delivered over three full weeks. Thereafter, teaching is delivered over two days each week including placement days for the remainder of the three semesters.

Unlike most University courses, the PGDipCBT does not have set term modules. Instead, its four modules run concurrently throughout the course. Please be aware that the funding is only available to applicants employed in a 'Trainee CBT Therapist' post in an NHS Talking Therapies or NHS Talking Therapies-commissioned service within the West Midlands region. Thus, the placement element is undertaken at the students' place of employment.

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

2025/26 Session

The following must be taken:

Placement during the course

You must be employed in a clinical placement in which it is possible to undertake three days per week of supervised CBT practice where you can make audio/video recordings of your therapy sessions, which will be submitted as part of assignments. To qualify for NHS England funding, this placement must be within an NHS Talking Therapies or NHS Talking Therapies-commissioned service. Because this course is for NHS (or NHS-commissioned) employees only, you can be nominated by services that you are already working in. If this does not apply to you, you will need to apply for an NHS post at the same time as making an application to the University. Local 'Trainee CBT Therapist' posts are usually advertised on the NHS jobs website. Please note that, whilst we may be able to provide some guidance, it is not the role of the University to source relevant employment positions for applicants.

We operate our selection procedures jointly with placement providers in line with NHS Values Based Recruitment.Please read our FAQ page for further guidance.

The PGDipCBT is designed to meet the criteria for accreditation with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist. Thus, to be eligible to enter training, you must have relevant academic and professional experience as detailed below.

You must have a degree or an equivalent level 6 qualification. You must also demonstrate that you have mental health professional qualification or be able to demonstrate that you have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes equivalent to a mental health professional.

Thus, there are two routes to entry:

1. You must be qualified in one of a list of BABCP determined 'core' professions.
2. Or, you must satisfy the criteria of the Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) framework, as described by the BABCP.

Please see our FAQs for details of BABCP 'core' professions and the criteria of the Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) framework.

You must also have a clinical placement in place prior to admission to study. We operate our selection procedures jointly with placement providers in line with NHS Values Based Recruitment.

As the entry requirements for this course are somewhat complex, we highly recommend that you read our FAQ page.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

BABCP accreditation is a highly sought after standard among psychotherapists both within the NHS and in other services.  A large number of graduates enter employment immediately upon successful completion of the programme, with the vast majority of these taking up posts within the NHS or third sector organisations.  A smaller number sign up for locum posts with employment agencies or set up in private practice.

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.

Accommodation

Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.

Living in Birmingham

As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham has developed into a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.

Campus life

Our green and spacious campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.

Student support

Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus, so that you can get the most out of your university experience.