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Graduate

PGCert in Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Psychosis and Bipolar)

This is a part-time postgraduate taught course for CBT practitioners, providing specialist advanced training and supervision in the latest evidence-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for psychosis and bipolar. 

Part time

Open
Upcoming application deadline for 2027-28 entry:
12:00 midday UK time on Wednesday 27 January 2027

Expected length
11 months
Expected start date
September 2027
English language level
Higher level required

Application deadlines

12:00 midday UK time

Final application deadline for Oxford scholarships

After the final application deadline has passed, this course may remain open or reopen if places are available.

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About the course

To apply to this course you must have already completed or be in the process of completing the University's PGCert in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or equivalent high-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy training (see Entry requirements for further details).

This course aims to equip healthcare professionals who already have experience in delivering CBT with the enhanced CBT skills required to implement evidence-based treatments across a wide range of clinical presentations. It also prepares practitioners to disseminate these approaches through training and clinical supervision of other professionals.

You will develop an in-depth understanding of cognitive behavioural models of psychosis and bipolar presentations and the evidence underpinning these approaches. You will gain competence in engaging, assessing and developing collaborative formulations with individuals with psychotic and bipolar presentations. You will also develop the skills needed to deliver high quality, individualised, evidence-based interventions in accordance with NICE guidance, the competence framework for work with people with psychosis and bipolar disorder (Roth & Pilling 2013), and the Health Education England national curriculum for CBT for severe mental health presentations.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Understand how theory, research and clinical practice inform one another in cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis and bipolar presentations, and contribute to the ongoing development of the field.
  • Demonstrate a well-developed repertoire of enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy skills
  • Apply these skills effectively with people experiencing psychosis, bipolar disorder, and associated difficulties within your own clinical practice
  • Establish and maintain warm, respectful, collaborative relationships, and understand and manage difficulties within the therapeutic alliance (including your own contribution) using a cognitive behavioural conceptual framework
  • Identify and resolve theoretical, practical, interpersonal, personal or ethical challenges in clinical practice through consultation and supervision.
     

You are expected to have access to treatment settings in which you can regularly deliver CBT for psychosis and bipolar, supported by ongoing clinical and CBT supervision to enable the development and refinement of your skills. 

Course structure

This section provides an overview of the course structure, while details of the individual course components are provided below.

The course comprises teaching over three terms: running from October to the end of June.

Teaching and supervision typically take place on Thursdays and you should keep all Thursdays during term time free for course related teaching, supervision, and study. There will also be some Fridays required for teaching and supervision (a total of five Fridays across terms one and two).

Reading, completion of written assignments and presentations will be undertaken in addition to the teaching days. Many students find it effective to set aside at least six to seven hours a week for private study.

Some of the teaching days on this course may be made available to a wider audience as publicly bookable workshops via the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre. This enables course participants to interact and share with a broader group of specialist practitioners. All participants will be expected to have an appropriate level of competence to participate fully.

Core components

You will undertake teaching and supervision, and complete coursework. 

Course details

Entry requirements

For entry in 2027-28

Funding and costs

College preference

Before you apply

Completing your application

Contact details