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Career Coaching and Coaching Psychology

MSc, PG Cert

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

MSc

  • Two years part-time, on campus

PG Cert

  • One year part-time, on campus
Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Part-time | On campus

Course overview

This postgraduate course in career coaching and coaching psychology offers you a unique combination of practical training in coaching skills and in-depth study of coaching psychology and career coaching. If you are a coach, consultant, career or HR professional or psychologist, it will equip you with the skills and knowledge to work with individuals and groups at relational depth as a career coach or consultant.

  • Why choose this course?
    • This course is recognised for career development and is accredited by the Association for Coaching.
    • It is one of only a few courses in London that focus on adult career management and coaching with practical coaching skills development. This means that it attracts individuals working in a wide range of settings and provides excellent opportunities for peer learning and networking.
    • Reflective practice sits at the heart of our approach to coaching helping you to develop and maintain high-quality, ethical coaching practice supported by independent supervision.
    • The MSc offers you a unique opportunity to apply for a coaching placement in Birkbeck's Careers Service where you can implement your learning in a real-life context and receive regular group support in developing your practice.

  • What will I learn?

    This course has a strong focus on skills building and features bespoke skills training days to help you refine your practice. It allows you to develop an evidenced-based and critical approach to psychologically informed coaching and career coaching practice development.

    MSc Career Coaching and Coaching Psychology

    The MSc will prepare you to set up your own independent coaching and career coaching practice and develop specialist research knowledge to position your future career.

    You will undertake a deep exploration of the helping relationship and learn the skills to be able to critically evaluate theory, research and practice and undertake applied career or coaching research. You will also develop a greater sense of self-awareness and understanding.

    You will investigate pragmatically and critically how coaching works in organisations. You will also have the opportunity to apply for one of a limited number of placements with the Birkbeck Careers Service in your second year.

    Postgraduate Certificate in Career Coaching and Coaching Psychology

    Our Postgraduate Certificate offers you an access route to progress on to the MSc and is the starting place if you are an experienced manager or professional looking to explore a transition into coaching or career coaching. You will gain valuable, evidence-based coaching practice and understanding of the role of professional helping relationships at work from an academic perspective. 

    If you are an experienced coach you will also have the option of developing your coaching portfolio in lieu of the core skills module.

  • How will I learn?

    You will be taught by experienced career and coaching psychologists in lectures and seminars. A key component of this course is the highly rated specialist skills workshop days run by coaching professionals in which you will develop your in-person coaching skills in small groups. Alongside this, you will work in online digital practice groups and in small case discussion groups to support the development of your coaching practice.

    The course is available to study part-time with classes taking place in the evening, and some weekend study.

    Discover the career opportunities available by taking Career Coaching and Coaching Psychology (MSc, PG Cert).

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Part-time: One evening a week and some weekend study, October to July. One evening a week, October to July for PG Cert.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

  • After gaining either the MSc or Postgraduate Certificate in Career Coaching and Coaching Psychology you will meet the qualification requirements for entry to the UK Register of Career Development Professionals. The Register is the sector equivalent of Chartered Status. Being on the Register proves to employers and clients that you hold a qualification in career development at QCF Level 6/SCQF Level 11 or above, abide by the CDI Code of Ethics, and undertake and record a minimum of 25 hours' CPD per year. Increasingly employers are asking that employees are on this Register.
  • The MSc is accredited by the Association for Coaching so, once you complete the course, you will be able to access their Accredited Certificate in Coach Training (ACCT) accelerated route. The Postgraduate Certificate is also accredited by the Association for Coaching as an Accredited Award in Coach Training (AACT).
  • We are renowned for the quality of our teaching in organisational psychology. Our flexible teaching model gives you the freedom to take some modules online and fit your studies around your other commitments.

Modules and Teaching

Birkbeck Business School

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Entry requirements

Our standard entry requirements for postgraduate courses are a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in any area of study.

Management development professionals, coaches, psychologists, career professionals and consultants without a second-class honours degree (2:2 or above) but with suitable professional qualifications and at least five years' significant management experience in a range of organisations may be considered.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MSc: Two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £8,550 per year
Part-time international students: £12,600 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £5,700 per year
Part-time international students: £8,400 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this career coaching and coaching psychology course, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including in:

  • coaching
  • reflective practice
  • career management and development (your own and others')
  • critical thinking
  • self-awareness and awareness of the coaching relationship.

Studying this course will prepare you for roles in a range of fields and professions including in coaching, career coaching, consulting, mentoring and human resources and talent management.

Some of our graduates have gone on to be employed at organisations such as the London Business School, London School of Economics, Pearson and the NHS.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

Study routes for Career Coaching and Coaching Psychology (MSc, PG Cert)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Part-time