Programme summary for PGDip Applied Systemic Theory

About the programme

This programme is for professionals/managers from health, social, education and related services. It focuses on developing an understanding of systemic theory and its applications to professional contexts. The programme enables you to: develop a theoretical framework to explore perspectives for working with individuals, couples, families, work groups and organisations; apply systemic ideas to current practice; experience the application of systemic ideas in the context of teaching and learning; and explore contemporary developments and practice.

Programme structure

The programme comprises the following units:

Core Principles of Systemic Theory (Certificate)
Introduction of Schools of Thought (Certificate)
Applications (Certificate)
The Lenses Through Which Systemic Ideas Have Developed (Diploma)
Theory and Practice Models in Terms of Landscapes (Diploma).

Career opportunities

The programme is suitable for professionals and managers from health, social, education and related services.

Support

Students are allocated to tutors with whom they meet throughout the year.
Students are provided with study packs of reading material that is supplemented throughout the year.
There are regular course meetings whereby the candidates can engage in a dialogue with staff about the course.
A database of supervised placements is kept by the Directorate of Training and Postgraduate Education administration at the Tavistock for students requiring help in finding work placements. Many of these placements are provided by ex-students with whom the teachers and courses at the Tavistock have close and supportive links
Students have access to reading material at the Tavistock library and via electronic mail and the Association of Family Therapy web journals.

Admission

Year 1
Students are expected to be working within a setting that will allow them to apply and develop systemic ideas. To this end, voluntary work placements are acceptable. Students would normally hold a first degree or be able to demonstrate proof of prior certified or experiential learning.

Year 2
Students must have satisfactorily have passed the Postgraduate Certificate (D4 year 1 or D24) or equivalent or be able to demonstrate proof of prior certified or experiential learning. They are required to be in a work setting where they can interview families and audio or video tape such interviews.

English Language Requirements
In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then the normal
requirement for postgraduate courses is IELTS 6.5 TOEFL IBT 91 + (min 18 in each component) depending on the course; UEL and the Trust also accept other English language requirements including country specific examinations. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate courses.

All applicants are sent a detailed written account of the course and an application form.

Selection
By:
(a) Application form
(b) A written reference from the student’s workplace supporting their application and another relevant reference
(c) By interview. Candidates are required to bring to the interview a written account of a piece of work with a child, young person or family which they will be expected to discuss

All interviews are undertaken by staff members from the Tavistock Clinic. Applicants are expected to submit photocopies of their professional and academic qualifications at interview. In addition all students offered a place are required to have an enhanced CRB check which will be arranged the Trust.

International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate courses.

Students that apply to enter stages of the course may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) or Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. It should be noted that given the developmental nature of this course in order for students to make a claim for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APEL or APL) they will have to both demonstrate and evidence that they have achieved the learning outcomes of any particular unit of the course for which they are seeking exemption and that in the opinion of the Course Tutors, that the APEL/APL being applied for, does not disadvantage the student in terms of future learning on the course