The Postgraduate Diploma in Careers Guidance offers initial professional training for people who wish to work in a range of career guidance contexts. It is recognised by the professional body , ICG (The Institute of Career Guidance) as the Qualification in Career Guidance (QCG). 

The programme aims to enable students to acquire the knowledge, skills, attributes and confidence to operate as effective practitioners within a variety of contexts.  Learning opportunities embrace both theory and practice. Topics studied include: practical bases of career guidance and career counselling; the context of careers guidance in contemporary society including ethical and non-discriminatory practice, awareness of social inequality ; labour market intelligence in relation to guidance work; theory for guidance practice; evaluating and developing career learning interventions.

The programme places a strong emphasis on the development of professional skills training and reflective practice through thoughtful integration of theory and practice. Our close links with employers and professionals across the sector contributes to placement & employment opportunities;

The Postgraduate Diploma permits full membership of the Institute of Career Guidance (ICG)/ Career Development Institute.

Admission requirements

Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance programme should normally possess a degree of a recognised University or equivalent. Applicants without formal qualifications who possess substantial experience in an appropriate field and can demonstrate confidence about taking academic and practical study may be admitted onto the postgraduate programme. All applicants must have CRB clearance.

All applicants are required to attend a selection interview at the University and to provide satisfactory references. In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS at 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes. Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL). Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

The University of East London actively promotes and celebrates equality and diversity and positively welcomes applicants regardless of race, gender, disability, sexuality, age, religion or social class. The programme has achieved Investors in Diversity standard at Level one from the National Centre for Diversity ( 2009-11).

The programmes are taught through lectures and seminars, with a sustained emphasis on an interactive approach to teaching and learning. Skills workshops are offered for practice-based skills, with high quality digital recording facilities for learning and assessment. The programmes incorporate significant work-based learning, and help is given in securing placements where necessary. On-line support and learning opportunities are an important part of provision.

All programmes are continuously assessed: there are no exams. Assessment requirements include a range of professionally relevant activities in addition to the more traditional essays, reports and evaluation study. These include: one to one interviews and groupwork delivery on placement, a presentation on labour market, professional journal and case studies. We also assess how students evaluate their own performance, through reflexive practice. Careful attention is paid to the provision of constructive feedback to promote learning.

Placements contribute significantly to students’ learning experience. Students draw on a range of experiences from work-based learning to meet assessment requirements across all modules and also to develop their professional practice.

Students undertake independent project work as part of the Diploma study. Students are encouraged to present their work in the professional domain, and to publish where appropriate.

The Postgraduate Diploma permits full membership of the Institute of Career Guidance (ICG)/ Career Development Institute.

The programme team’s European research and consultancy enriches the students’ learning.

With the Post-graduate Diploma in Career Guidance (QCG) students have successfully secured employment in a range of contexts including: statutory sector, such as local authorities and career companies; adult career organisations in the UK & overseas; voluntary sector agencies; educational settings including schools, colleges and universities as well as self employed work. The programme responds to changes in the guidance sector to ensure learning is relevant to the changing needs of the guidance sector.

How we support you

All UEL students have access to a range of support services. The DCG/ QCG programme provides timetabled meetings for group tutorials. In addition, each student is allocated a personal tutor. There are formal progress reports at the end of each semester on the full-time programme, and midway through the part time pathway. The programme team make positive efforts to ensure students take full opportunity of the offer to provide feedback on drafts of written work and academic tutorials. Student evaluations have consistently commended and appreciated the effectiveness of such personalised support. The programme team has found that investing in this supportive relationship from the outset fosters students’ confidence and performance as they progress through the programme.

Students will have access to on-line resources through UEL Plus as well as documentation such as student handbook, module guides/timetables to ensure you are clear on all programme requirements. During induction you will receive sessions to introduce library resources and on-line learning.

Close links with sector employers ensures access to placement & employment opportunities. Close links with practitioners in the field permits a wider input on current practice. The programme team’s European research enriches the students’ learning.

Outcomes