Psychological Therapies Practice (High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)

The University of Exeter

United Kingdom, Exeter

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170

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Home/United Kingdom/Exeter /The University of Exeter/Psychological Therapies Practice (High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)

The University of Exeter

United Kingdom , Exeter

Key Facts

Program Level

Graduate Diploma

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Streatham

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesJanuary-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Next Intake January-2026

Psychological Therapies Practice (High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)

About

Aimed at clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and other professionals with experience of delivering mental health such as nurses and counsellors.

Provides intensive skills training in accordance with British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (BABCP) guidelines for good practice.

The programme is suited to those pursuing a career as a High Intensity therapist, defined under the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies initiative.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

PGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is open to applicants who meet the following criteria:

Qualifications

An undergraduate degree or equivalent, ideally in a discipline connected to mental health (e.g. psychology, neuroscience, or a BABCP recognised core professional qualification).

Those without an undergraduate qualification but with evidence of the ability to study at third year of undergraduate degree level (level 6) will also be considered.

Experience

A core professions background as described by the BABCP

The ability to complete a KSA* (Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes) portfolio to show you meet programme requirements in line with BABCP accreditation standards.
At least two years’ full-time work experience in mental health settings (or at least three years if your undergraduate degree is in an unrelated discipline)

*Depending on your professional background, you will be required to submit either a full or condensed KSA. You can find out if you’re eligible for a condensed KSA here. (Please note that due to funding requirements, PWPs – Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners – cannot apply until two years after they have qualified).

If you have started or completed any NHS-funded training in the psychological professions, you need to wait until 2 years post-qualification before being eligible for further NHS-funded training (https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/mental-health/psychological-professions/nhs-funding-psychological-professions-training-programmes).

Additional requirements

Availability to attend university as required, which will include blocks of teaching of up to four days. Most teaching will be 2 days per week in conjunction with a minimum period of high intensity CBT clinical practice per week*
Evidence of interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients
Evidence of an openness to learning new knowledge and skills
Demonstrable values and behaviour that aligns with the values of the NHS Constitution
The willingness to become a member of the BABCP at the start of training

*Please note: the number of days required to meet the educational objectives and skills based competences covered during the respective courses are only achievable if a minimum number of days occur in clinical practice, in addition to the required days spent within the University. Please consult national guidance for information concerning the contracts required for this workforce.

Applicants without a core professional background

Applicants without a core professional background are required to submit the full KSA portfolio prior to interview for assessment. Appointment of a training place will only be offered on assessment of this.
If you are unsure whether you hold a Core Profession then please refer to the BABCP website for more information.
All successful applicants will need to become members of the BABCP at the start of the training to ensure that they have a code of professional conduct to work when starting the training.
Every effort will be made to have a KSA representative from the University on any interview for a KSA candidate. If this is not possible, any offer of a training place will only be made subject to KSA being reviewed by a KSA representative from the University.

Entry requirements for international students

Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile . Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

English Program Requirements

Test Name: IELTS Academic, IELTS Online, IELTS One Skill Retake and IELTS Indicator (IELTS – Academic version)
Required Score: 6.0 overall and no less than 6.0 in any section

Test Name: TOEFL iBT, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL iBT Paper Edition and TOEFL MyBest scores
Required Score: Overall score 87 with minimum scores of 21 for writing, listening, reading and speaking.

Test Name: Pearson Test of English (Academic) PTE
Required Score: 64 overall with no less than 64 in all communicative skills

Test Name: LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
Required Score: B2 Communicator with minimum 33 in writing, speaking, listening & reading

Test Name: LanguageCert Academic
Required Score: 65 overall and no less than 65 in any skills score

Test Name: INTO Pre-sessional English
Required Score: 60 and no less than 60 in any sub-section

Test Name: Study Group Academic English
Required Score: Minimum of 60% overall, no less than 60% in any section

Test Name: Skills for English: SELT
Required Score: B2 Pass

Test Name: Duolingo English Test - test taken up to 30th June 2024
Required Score: 110 overall and no less than 110 in Literacy, 95 in Conversation, 110 in Comprehension and 90 in Production

Test Name: Duolingo English Test - test taken from 1st July 2024
Required Score: 110 overall and no less than 110 in any Integrated Subscore

Career

Careers

This programme is training people already in a career within the NHS or NHS Talking Therapies service. It will provide you with an outstanding opportunity to develop your competencies and knowledge associated with practice as a Practitioner.

A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development.

Advantages of the programme are that:

You will study within a vibrant, stimulating and internationally-recognised research environment, where members of your teaching team have first-hand experience within the clinical setting.
Your learning experience will be enriched by nationally-recognised, innovative, clinical teaching approaches, designed to develop you on your terms.