Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate Career Development
This course is open for applications
Please visit the How to Apply section below to apply.
Accreditations and partnerships:
Follow your aspiration to become a career development professional by choosing one of our market-leading Career Development courses.
About
Progress as a qualified career development practitioner while learning valuable skills and knowledge, such as enterprise education, individual personal guidance and career-related learning to groups.
The Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) Career Development, approved by the Career Development Institute (CDI) forms the basis of progression to the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) Career Development.
Why study career development?
Career development professionals assist individuals in exploring career options, making well-informed choices, and creating effective strategies to reach their professional objectives. They work in a variety of educational and professional settings in the UK and internationally.
The demand for career development practitioners is growing. As the world of work evolves, people increasingly need careers support and management skills to navigate transitions positively. Our courses prepare you to meet this need with confidence.
Why UWE Bristol?
Whether you already work in the field or aspire to, our postgraduate career development courses will professionalise your skills. Each course meets the qualification requirement for the UK Register of Career Development Professionals, broadening your career prospects.
Taught by experienced practitioners, and approved by the CDI, these future-facing career development courses provide a strong grounding in contemporary theory and practice, and are designed to meet international professional standards.
You'll develop the skills to support diverse client needs, design and deliver career-related activities to groups, and provide one-to-one guidance. Enterprise education is embedded throughout, reflecting the importance of understanding this area. Delivered and assessed online, the courses offer flexible study options, supported by our online community of practice.
Where can it take me?
Once qualified, you'll be eligible to join the CDI's professional register. You'll also possess the expertise to excel across a range of professional career development contexts. Examples of this include working with adult clients in community services or private practice, as well as within educational environments such as schools, colleges and universities, in the UK and internationally.
Watch: Welcome to the School of Education and Childhood at UWE Bristol
Entry
Entry requirements
Usually applicants will have an undergraduate degree (2:2 or equivalent) but applicants with other qualifications or professional experience are also encouraged to apply. We'll consider evidence of your relevant personal, professional or educational experience where it demonstrates an ability and potential to succeed on the course.
If the Postgraduate Diploma is over five years old then it will be necessary for you to be currently working in a relevant field.
Please contact a Programme Leader to discuss your eligibility for the course.
English Language Requirement
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with no component below 5.5 (or approved equivalent*).
*The University accepts a large number of UK and International qualifications in place of IELTS. To find details of acceptable tests and the required grades, please visit our English language Requirements pages.
How to apply
Apply to study PGCert Career Development from September 2027.
Apply to study PGDip Career Development from September 2027.
Applicants linked to COBIS Schools are eligible for a 5% discount on tuition fees. To apply with the discount, in your application please answer "Yes" when asked "Are you making an application through a partner institution which has an agreement with UWE?" and then select "Council of British International Schools" as a partner.
You can check if your school is a COBIS member on COBIS School Search.
Read more about postgraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email: Admissions@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83333
Structure
Content
You'll study:
Frameworks for Career and Enterprise Development
This module will introduce key frameworks for understanding career and enterprise development. You'll explore theories and models that explain how people make career decisions, develop professional identities and respond to changing education and employment contexts. The module will consider enterprise, employability and the factors that shape opportunities and transitions. Through critical engagement with research and practice, you'll learn how to evaluate frameworks and apply them appropriately. You'll develop a stronger conceptual foundation for supporting career learning, professional development and enterprise activity.
Careers and Enterprise in Practice
This module focuses on developing the practical knowledge and skills needed to support career development and enterprise learning in a range of settings. You'll explore how labour market and career-related information can be evaluated and used to support informed decisions about education, training and employment. You'll examine approaches to assessing career development needs, designing career-related activities and using digital tools in practice. Through applying theory to realistic contexts, you'll develop professional skills in providing information, advice and guidance while strengthening your reflective practice.
You'll study:
Careers Guidance Theory and Practice
This module develops the knowledge and practical skills needed to plan, deliver and evaluate career development interventions with individuals and groups. You'll explore contemporary theories of career development and examine how they can inform ethical and inclusive practice. Topics may include motivation, decision-making, partnership working, career-related learning and approaches to measuring impact. You'll learn how to design and deliver career-related activities, assess client needs and use digital tools effectively. Through applying theory to practice, you'll strengthen your ability to support informed career decisions in a range of professional contexts.
Careers and Enterprise in Context
This module will help you develop as a reflective, context-aware and forward-thinking career development practitioner. You'll explore the social, economic and policy contexts that influence careers and enterprise, considering issues such as social mobility, equality, diversity and inclusion. The module examines ethical practice, professional identity and approaches to continuing professional development, helping you understand how career development services respond to changing needs. You'll learn how evidence-informed practice can support effective decision-making while reflecting on your own development within an evolving career development landscape.
PGCert
You'll study:
- Frameworks for Career and Enterprise Development
- Careers and Enterprise in Practice.
PGDip
You'll study:
- Frameworks for Career and Enterprise Development
- Careers and Enterprise in Practice
- Career Guidance Theory and Practice
- Careers and Enterprise in Context.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
Learning and Teaching
The course is delivered as a flexible online course, using authentic materials and interactive learning methods, including recorded lectures, online discussions and case studies, supported by online tutorials.
Each module includes weekly study units with directed activity, supplemented by additional reading.
As you develop a critical, reflective and enquiring approach to your practice, you'll develop knowledge and understanding of:
- contemporary frameworks for career development courses in a professional context
- contemporary issues related to employment, enterprise, education and training options
- professional, ethical career development practice with individuals and groups
- conducting client-focused career guidance interventions.
You'll learn and network with fellow practitioners, offering mutual support, as well as receiving online support from your tutors at UWE Bristol.
See our glossary of teaching and learning terms.
CDI membership
CDI accreditation means that as a student on one of those courses, you'll be eligible for student membership of the CDI, giving you access to further professional development opportunities. The fees to join the CDI and the Register of Career Development Professionals are in addition to your course fees.
Find out more on the CDI website.
Study time
The courses run from September each year.
As a guide, you'll be expected to spend 6-7 hours a week on directed activities and independent study.
Assessment
You'll be assessed using a variety of practice-oriented assessments, which are linked to real-world practice and mapped to the external professional standards required of a qualified careers professional.
See our full glossary of assessment terms.
Fees
Part time course
Supplementary fee information
Fees are charged at the beginning of the academic year, based on the modules that start in that academic year.
See our funding pages for more information.
Features
Professional accreditation
The PGCert and PGDip in Career Development are accredited by the Career Development Institute (CDI).
Study facilities
All of these courses are predominantly delivered and assessed online, with all materials provided through the University's online learning platforms.
Students also have access to UWE Bristol's Careers and Enterprise facilities and study skills resources through our library at Frenchay Campus, which are particularly useful if you have been out of education for a while.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Education and Teaching facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
Event webinars
Join one of our live webinars and find out more about the course:
- Monday 27 July 2026, 12:00-12:45
- Monday 10 August 2026,12:00-12:45
- Thursday 20 August 2026, 12:00-12:45.
Skills development and practice
Opportunities for skills development and practice are facilitated throughout the course. A formal placement is not required.
Careers
Careers / Further study
At certificate level (60 credits), the course provides a solid foundation for those wishing to become fully qualified career practitioners and forms the basis of progression to the Postgraduate Diploma. You'll gain knowledge sought after in a range of fields in the career development sector, including enterprise, placements, employer relations, volunteering, mentoring, student advice and support, personal development and life coaching.
At diploma level (120 credits), the course opens the door to higher-level roles, enabling you to become a fully qualified career development professional.
Life
Postgraduate support
Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.
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