Course Overview

This High-Intensity Diploma is joint funded by Health Education England and local NHS Commissioners and is designed to provide postgraduate training for Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) High-Intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapists.

The Diploma aims to teach students to achieve the level of knowledge and clinical skills to operate effectively as psychological therapists, using evidence-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy methods routinely in their work.

The Cognitive Behaviour Therapy High-Intensity programme from the University of Birmingham provides students with all the experience they need to meet the requirements to become accredited as Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists with the BABCP. As such, employment prospects are very good, since BABCP accreditation is a highly sought-after standard among psychotherapists both within the NHS and in other services. Over 95% of students enter employment immediately upon successful completion of the programme, with the vast majority of these taking up posts within the NHS or third-sector organisations. A smaller number sign up for locum posts with employment agencies or set up in private practice.

General Eligibility

The courses are designed to meet the criteria for accreditation with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) as a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist. Thus, to be eligible to enter training, individuals must hold a relevant core profession or be able to demonstrate the equivalent knowledge, skills and attitudes. Please see the accreditation section of the BABCP website for further details.

There are two routes to entry: 

Either, applicants must be qualified in one of a list of BABCP determined core professions: 

• Arts Therapists – HCPC Registered

• Counselling – Accredited with the BACP, IACP, COSCA, or FDAP (NCAC)

• Medicine – Psychiatrist or General Practitioner, MBChB or MBBS, and usually PG training with membership of MRCGP, MRCP or MRCPsych

• Occupational Therapy – BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, MSc Occupational Therapy, or Dip C.O.T and HCPC Registered

Part Time Work Details

20 Hours of Work permit weekly for international students.

Language Requirement

• English requirements

  IELTS - 6.5

  TOEFL - 88