Systemic Practice, PG Cert

Course content

The programme runs over two years, combining the Foundation and Intermediate level training in systemic practice.

In the first year, at Foundation level, you will be introduced to key theoretical approaches in family therapy and systemic practice and the skills and techniques associated with them.

The second year, at Intermediate level, builds on the theory and concentrates on the development of therapeutic skills with families, couples and individuals, and the application of systemic ideas in your work context. You will be required to undertake 60 hours of systemic therapeutic practice in your own work agency. One session of this practice is to be recorded and transcribed for formative review of your clinical progress. Throughout the programme you will be encouraged to develop a commitment to actively promote ethical, anti-discriminatory practice and to highlight and critique culturally-based assumptions in your practice.

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures and practical teaching followed by theory and application discussions and skills practice in small groups facilitated by qualified family therapists.

Course structure

The programme runs on approximately 18 Wednesday evenings each year (5pm to 8.30pm) in September-July, plus up to three full days. It takes place on the University's main campus.

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Foundation Course in Systemic Practice 30 credits

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Intermediate Course in Systemic Practice 30 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Systemic Practice PGCert in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

You'll be taught through lectures, practical classes and group tutorials. We make extensive use of IT and a wide range of material to enable students to study at their own pace and in their own time to enhance and extend the material taught formally. In the second year, you will develop your learning in systemic skills and practice based upon your systemic practice in your own work setting.

Assessment

We monitor your progress through attendance, participation in lectures, and performance within small group tutorials in which formative feedback is provided by your tutor. Your progress is also monitored in feedback on written assignments and the learning portfolio, as well as on your progress in recording at least 60 hours of systemic practice during the second year of the programme.

Applying, fees and funding

Entry requirements

This course is specifically designed for graduate level professionals with a first professional qualification in a relevant mental health or social care related discipline such as nursing, psychiatry, social work, clinical psychology or similar professions.

If you are working in a mental health or social care setting without a first professional qualification, you are welcome to apply for admission via our accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL).

Applicants must be working in a setting suitable to undertake the Systemic Practice requirement of 60 hours of systemic practice during the second year. The practice requirement must be supported by the agency and have suitable clinical supervision arrangements and facility to record, with client consent, one session (visual or audio) of clinical practice for assessment purposes.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information contact the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

If English is not your first language, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course before you begin your studies. This can help if you:

• don't meet the English language requirements for your course or
• want to improve your understanding of academic language and practices in your area of study.

Our pre-sessional courses are designed with a progression route to the degree programme and are tailored to the subject area. For information and entry requirements, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

How to apply

Application to the course will be open in January 2018. Please visit this page for update.

• Apply

This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
 
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Selection principle

We select candidates on the basis of their professional experience and academic background.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Fees

UK/EU: £5,500 (total)

International: £11,000 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Part-time fees are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

Additional cost information

In the second year, students are required to ensure that the required 60 hours of clinical practice are supervised in their own agency. This is usually provided by employers but students may wish to supplement this or make their own arrangements for systemic supervision.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Specialist Skills and Post Registration Development (SSPRD) funding through the University of Leeds

If you are an NHS employee working for an approved provider in the Yorkshire & the Humber region or your employing organisation offers service directly to the NHS, you may beeligible for the Specialist Skills and Post Registration Development (SSPRD) funding for the cost of your course fees. Subject to availability, the funding is provided by NHS Health Education Yorkshire and the Humber within the University. The SSPRD provision within the University is not available to medical staff, e.g. GPs and Psychiatrists.

To apply for the funding, please complete the SSPRD funding application form in the Supplementary Information Document.

This funding is limited and is allocated shortly after the application closing date. If you want to be considered for funding, please make sure that we receive your application well before the deadline.

Please note that NHS Health Education Yorkshire and the Humber has not confirmed the SSPRD funding available for 2018-19 so this advice is subject to change.

Career opportunities

Students who complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Systemic Practice training can describe themselves as Systemic Practitioners. This is not a formal qualification but is a recognised professional development indicating the knowledge and skills developed in this training.

Past students have progressed to training on MSc in Systemic Family Therapy programme. Students who complete the MSc in Systemic Family Therapy are eligible to register with the UKCP as Systemic Psychotherapists and to practise in the public and voluntary sectors, as well as privately.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That's one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

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