Masters degrees in Careers Guidance equip postgraduates with the skills to work in the provision of support services aimed at helping individuals to make informed career decisions.
Related subjects include Career Management and Career Development. Entry requirements typically include an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as Business Management, Social Science or Counselling.
This course, combining academic study and professional training, is for you if you want to enter the career guidance sector in which you could work in a range of settings (e.g. careers service companies, youth guidance services, further education, higher education, adult guidance, the voluntary sector).
Visit the website: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/career-management.aspx
You can opt to study only the PG Diploma (120 credits at Level 7) / Qualification in Career Guidance (QCG) or to continue on to complete the full MA.
The University and the Career Development Institute validate the QCG, which is widely recognised in the UK and overseas as the professional qualification for working in this sector, and provides a sound and comprehensive basis for entry into all aspects of careers work. The full MA provides both the professional and academic qualifications for a successful career in this sector.
This course is for anyone who would like to work within the careers sector and who would like to become fully qualified to do so.
Applicants do not need previous experience although any experience working in a supporting capacity with adults or young people will be helpful.
The QCG course meets all the learning outcomes laid down by the Career Development Institute and includes:
• Developing Career Management Skills and Processes
• Transforming Practice through Critical Reflection (or ‘Exploring Practice through Critical Reflection’ for those not registering for the QCG)
• Exploring Theories of Career Management
• Designing Career Learning and Development
• Promoting Equality and Diversity
• Engaging with Labour Markets.
All modules are compulsory. For the full MA you will also complete the Evaluation and Research Methods teaching and write a Dissertation
A blend of academic study (lectures, seminars, e-learning and discussions) and professional application (placements, practical days in the University and role play) is offered on a full-time and part-time basis. Throughout the year there is engagement with theoretical aspects of careers work and also ongoing development of practical skills including individual guidance, coaching and counselling and also working with groups. The purpose built counselling suite is available for all students.
All modules are assessed through written work and there are also practical assessments (interviews, group work, presentations) to be completed.
In order to achieve the full MA a dissertation of 18,000 words is required for which students are allocated individual
Successful completion of this course provides you with the skills and knowledge to enter or continue within all sectors of the careers profession.
If you are interested in further pursuing your academic potential you will be able to apply for a place on the doctoral programme (MPhil/PhD) at Canterbury Christ Church University.
For information on how to apply, please follow this link: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/how-to-apply/how-to-apply.aspx
See our postgraduate fees and funding page to discover the loans, scholarships and bursaries available.
Kent's MA in Social Work offers you the opportunity to gain a professional qualification in social work alongside a Master’s degree. Successful graduates are eligible for professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the regulatory body for social work.
Social Work is based at our Medway campus:https://www.kent.ac.uk/locations/medway/
The programme meets the Professional Capabilities Framework as required by the HCPC. You gain the knowledge and skills needed by professional social workers. The programme provides extensive work in practice learning settings that meet Government requirements. The MA is a full-time, two-year programme running from September each year.
The MA invites you to think coherently and systematically about the context, nature and aims of social work in the UK.
The changes taking place in social work nationally make this an exciting and challenging time to join us. Our team includes qualified practitioners with experience in a range of services and management settings who are constantly examining change and its implications on the future of social work.
The programme incorporates critical analysis and practice-based skills. This includes a two-day observational practice learning opportunity and a 70-day practice learning opportunity in Stage 1, with a further 100-day placement in Stage 2.
In addition to assessed work, linked to both taught modules and practice learning, you also complete a dissertation in a specific area of research in your second year.
You study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation:
https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/124/social-work#structure
Social work jobs exist in local authority and health settings (eg social services departments, hospital settings), voluntary organisations (Barnardo's, NSPCC) and private agencies such as private fostering agencies and care homes. Some graduates choose to undertake agency work.
Our graduates obtain a range of transferable skills and report high levels of being in employment or further study within six months of graduation across all of our degree programmes.
Over 98% of Kent's postgraduate students who graduated in 2016 were in work or further study within six months. Recent graduates from our School have pursued careers in academia, journalism, local and central government, charities and NGOs.
How to apply: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/124/social-work#overview
We offer inspirational teaching and supervision alongside first-class library and IT facilities. You also benefit from our high-impact research in all subjects. Whatever you are looking to study, Kent provides a dynamic and challenging environment for your postgraduate studies.
* of 122 universities, not including specialist institutions
We have a scholarship fund of over £9 million to support our taught and research students with their tuition fees and living costs. Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/postgraduate/
If you need to improve your English before and during your postgraduate studies, Kent offers a range of modules and programmes in English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Find out more here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/international-pathways/
The PGCert award offers the opportunity of postgraduate study for practitioners in social work and social care in settings beyond specialist child care, adult and mental health teams, for example: YOT, homeless services, domestic violence, learning disabilities and substance misuse specialisms. For social workers this will provide evidence of their learning in order to meet HCPC requirements for renewing their registration. However, we would expect this course to be attractive to non-social work qualified staff as part of their continuing professional development (CPD) and career development. The core module aims to support practitioners to extend their knowledge and analytical skills in relation to their own CPD and to reflect on their capability in relation to their evolving scope of practice.
Candidates can enhance their academic qualification by progressing from one of the Centre for CPD PGCerts to complete a PGDiploma and then further with the MA. This is a generic route and provides a flexible and wide choice of modules. For the PGDiploma the candidate will complete a research module and choose 2 other modules from a broad range. The MA will involve a dissertation in an area of their specialist practice.
The University has been endorsed by the College of Social Work as a provider of CPD training.
Keynote lectures, seminars, tutorials, material for self-directed learning, e-learning, workshops will form part of university based learning provision.
Students will be required to link formal learning to their practice and will be encouraged to build on existing skills/develop new skills to consolidate their learning across the academic and practice fields.
Skills, values and knowledge will be developed through group discussions, group tutorials, presentations and practice learning opportunities.
The overarching teaching and learning strategy will enable students to develop cognitive skills which are appropriate to independent learning and postgraduate study.
A range of assessment methods will include essays, presentations, case studies, practice observation, reflective writing, practice portfolios, and personal development files.
Students who are enrolled with the School of Social Work, Care and Community may be eligible for international travel opportunities relevant to their study.
Aims of the course include:
-Enable students to critically reflect on and review their professional development to facilitate enhanced performance and service delivery
-Provide learning opportunities for students to critical reflect on complex challenges, current issues and new evidence-based practice research
-Develop and enhance students’ capacity for critically evaluating key theoretical knowledge, law and policy in relation social work and social care practice
-Provide learning opportunities for students to develop and to enhance decision-making skills in complex situations in social work and social care practice
-Enable students to demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level
-Enable students to recognise the contribution, and begin to make use, of research to inform practice
-Provide an opportunity for students to undertake a research project in their specialist area of practice
The Advanced Child Protection MA is a distance learning programme which runs on a part-time basis for two or more years and has been created for experienced professionals.
The programme gives a 360-degree perspective on child protection, introducing you to the viewpoints of academics, practitioners, organisations, parents, children and young people, integrated with contemporary research theory and policy. The impact that technology has on protecting children as well as the effect of the globalisation of the abuse and exploitation of vulnerable children is considered throughout.
The MA has attracted national and international students, all with a variety of experience in child protection. Access to this diverse pool of knowledge within an environment that allows you to question and excel makes this programme unique and rewarding.
Teaching is based on guided study using an online learning environment (Moodle), videoed expert lectures, online seminars, 'serious games', acted and filmed role play, as well as web-based weekly forums.
The Centre for Child Protection is a leader in developing and disseminating interactive simulations dealing with a range of child protection issues. The University was recently awarded the 2016 Guardian University Award for digital innovation in recognition of the ground-breaking 'Lottie' project, a tool to help children become aware of the dangers of sexual grooming.
All the work is completed online where you participate in online forums and have access to journal articles and specialist materials. After successful completion of the assignment, the module is equivalent to 20 credits at Master’s level.
During the programme you:
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take modules from other programmes so that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas that interest you.
You are also able to take modules on their own as a 10 week distance learning option. For more information, visit the website here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/sspssr/ccp/samodules/index.html
The MA Advanced Child Protection and the stand-alone modules give you the opportunity to further your career and expertise in child protection. As well as benefiting from Kent’s academic excellence, you gain insight into multi-agency relationships and responsibilities. The Centre attracts students from across social work, health, education, probation and the third sector, and widens your potential learning experience. The distance learning delivery of the Master’s programme enables you to fit learning around your life and work commitments and you have the chance to apply your knowledge as you progress. Each cohort contains a unique mix of experiences and professions, providing a valuable opportunity for information exchange and networking.
We offer inspirational teaching and supervision alongside first-class library and IT facilities. You also benefit from our high-impact research in all subjects. Whatever you are looking to study, Kent provides a dynamic and challenging environment for your postgraduate studies.
Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/why-kent/
* of 122 universities, not including specialist institutions
Are you an educator of any description? Do you work in Schools, youth work, community arts, adult and community learning, educational challenges, housing, planning, social work or link professions or organisations? This programme offers you the opportunity to further develop your skills and knowledge towards enriching your practice and promotional opportunities within this sector. The programme does not impede on your ability to work, in fact it is a complementary study programme which you can use in your working life or voluntary work.
The programme contains a mix of online and campus (blended) learning and this opens up opportunities to work with the Creative Learning Team at Aberdeen City Council and other departments and it ensures that skills and knowledge you gain are of industry relevant standard. The programme is also a work based route to obtain the Community Learning and Development professional qualification.
This programme is of relevance to those already working within Community Learning and Development or individuals who want to move into these areas and do offer some voluntary work or experience in order to progress into this field. It can be a hugely rewarding area in terms of educational value to individuals and communities and progression routes for those people either within work or social experiences which add to their employability and life experience. There are many charities, heritage attractions, museums and other organisations which rely on community involvement to educate others.
Compulsory Courses for MSc
Optional Courses
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
programme web pahttps://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/967/community-learning-and-development/
£925 per module
*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.
Find out more about fees
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
With placement opportunities available our MSc Career Guidance & Development qualifies you to work as a career guidance practitioner.
As a practitioner you will provide accurate and relevant advice on employment, education and training opportunities to an ever-widening client group.
Our course focuses on professional practice, personal reflection and critical analysis of practice. It also allows you to undertake research and work evaluation as part of your ongoing professional development.
The Postgraduate Diploma can include completion of the Qualification in Career Guidance and Development (QCGD) which is professionally accredited by the Career Development Institute UK.
98% overall student satisfaction - Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2017
The Certificate consists of three modules and the Diploma six. The core module is Reflective Guidance Practice. Additional modules include:
Postgraduate Diploma students learning on-campus undertake placements and practical experience, with opportunities to experience how career guidance practitioners operate in organisations and as training providers. If you are already working in the sector then you can study part-time or online.
You can take up to two years of further part-time study towards a Masters award.
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching and learning methods on our Career Guidance and Development course include:
The combination of theory, policy and practice means that you are able to put learning into practice as you study and reflect this in each of the summative assessment in each of your modules.
Practice-based learning opportunities means our course has a professional focus and enables you to engage in real world inquiry which is again reflected in the summative assessment in each module.
