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Career Development and Employability Postgraduate Diploma (Distance Learning)

Develop the skills to make a real impact in career education. Study flexibly around your schedule on this online degree from the University of Huddersfield.

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Time investment: 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time

Location: Online

Cost: £5,280

Language: English

About this degree

Master career decision-making theories for client success

Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise, develop practical skills, or become a reflective practitioner, the University of Huddersfield’s online Career Development and Employability Postgraduate Diploma offers a unique opportunity to earn a nationally recognised qualification at your own pace.

Learn from experts, apply real-world knowledge, and position yourself for success with this career-boosting programme.

Advance your career with a professional qualification in career guidance

On this diploma, you’ll gain the opportunity to transform your career with the Qualification in Career Development (QCD), a nationally recognised professional certification awarded by the Career Development Institute (CDI).

As part of this programme, you’ll develop a thorough understanding of career guidance practices and how to apply them across a range of settings. Whether you’re working in education, employment services, or voluntary sectors, this qualification will boost your professional standing and expand your opportunities within the field.

Master theories of career decision-making for effective client support

Helping clients make sound career choices begins with understanding the theories behind career decision-making. During this online diploma, you’ll explore a variety of well-established and contemporary models that explain how individuals navigate their career paths. These insights will allow you to better tailor your advice to meet the diverse needs of your clients.

You’ll learn to apply these theories in real-world scenarios, enabling you to support students, job seekers, and professionals in making informed, confident decisions about their futures.

Develop your skills in facilitating career work in group settings

You’ll develop the ability to deliver career support in group settings, an increasingly essential skill in today’s fast-evolving job market. This diploma aims to equip you with the techniques to design and facilitate effective career and employability workshops.

Embedded within an academic curriculum or delivered as a standalone service, these workshops will help your clients gain the skills and knowledge they need to make well-informed career choices.

Leverage developmental supervision to become a reflective practitioner

You’ll learn to deliver the highest standard of career guidance, it’s essential to become a reflective practitioner. In this course, you’ll learn how to leverage developmental supervision to continually evaluate and improve your practice.

By enrolling in this course, you’ll be investing in both your own professional development and the futures of those you support. This flexible and comprehensive programme will equip you with the skills, theoretical knowledge, and practical experience to excel in career guidance, whether you’re looking to refine your practice or embark on a new career path.

Where you’ll be studying

Studying at the University of Huddersfield

The University is home to six academic Schools of Study: Applied Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Business and Law, Computing and Engineering, Education, and Human and Health Sciences. It is an established and growing centre of research and excellence, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and is recognised for the quality of its teaching, achieving a Gold Award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and winning the inaugural Higher Education Academy Global Teaching Excellence Award in 2017.

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Learning outcomes

Develop the ability to apply career decision-making theories in real-world contexts.

Enhance skills in facilitating group-based career guidance and employability workshops.

Critically evaluate labour market trends and their impact on career guidance practices.

Apply reflective practice techniques to improve personal and professional development.

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Additional information

To join this programme, you’ll need to have a degree or an equivalent professional qualification. However, experienced applicants without a degree will also be considered. Additionally, you must also have the following to apply:

Relevant experience on a paid or voluntary basis Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check Complete a satisfactory interview International applicants must be available for interviews in person or via Skype

If your first language is not English, you’ll need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 with a minimum score of 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in any single component.

This is a part-time, flexible online course from the University of Huddersfield, requiring 15-20 hours of study per week. The course allows you to fit learning around your personal and professional commitments, making it ideal for busy individuals.

Assessment will involve a mix of written assignments, case studies, group work, and reflective practice reports, allowing you to demonstrate both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in career guidance. This ensures a well-rounded evaluation of your academic and professional development.

Career Adviser: Support individuals by providing tailored guidance on education, training, and employment opportunities.
Employability Consultant: Work with educational institutions and organisations to help people enhance their employability.
Career Coach: Help clients achieve specific career goals.