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Institute of Continuing Education (ICE)

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The Certificate in Coaching is offered as a part-time programme of study and provides students with the vital communication and inter-personal skills necessary for establishing and maintaining an effective and developmental coaching relationship.

Progression for students who have completed this course is offered in the Undergraduate Diploma in Coaching (FHEQ Level 5).

Our undergraduate courses are now being delivered entirely online, enabling students to study flexibly with the University of Cambridge from anywhere in the world.

We offer a range of tuition fee bursaries to promote access to and participation in continuing education. 

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Teaching & Assessment

How will I be taught and assessed?

This course combines the rigorous academic standards of the University of Cambridge and the professional practice of the Association for Coaching. You will need to set aside time for independent study. Credit is generally calculated in terms of hours of study and assumes that each credit is awarded for around 10 hours of successful learning; so, by this calculation, a 60-credit course will involve around 600 hours of successful study. Examples of how study may be broken down are: pre-class preparation, classroom time (lectures, seminars, discussion, presentations, debates, case-studies etc.); engagement with the VLE; peer-to-peer interaction, preparations for assignments, assignment writing and feedback and so on.

The content, activities and interaction for each of the three units will be taught remotely using video-based teaching platforms and an online course Virtual Learning Environment. You will have access to resources, discussion forums, and course tasks within ICE's Virtual Learning Environment. Teaching methods will include lectures, presentations by guest speakers and facilitators, interactive and experiential learning activities, reading and assignments to be completed by participants outside classroom sessions and online discussion forums.

All students are expected to take an active part in the course and submit work showing evidence of learning. Your learning will be enhanced by:

  • engaging with scheduled teaching sessions; 
  • participating in class activities and discussion;
  • undertaking reading and assignments set by the tutor;
  • accessing resources and submitting assignments through the VLE.

Course timeline 

 

Pre-Study Day Activity

Study Days (live Zoom sessions)

Sessions take place between 9.30 - 4.30 UK time

including breaks

Tutor facilitated study groups

Study groups normally take place between 4.30 - 7.30 pm UK time.

Prior to the course starting, you will be contacted and asked to 

express a preference of study group you wish to join based

on the time slots available (e.g., 4.30-5.30 pm or 6.30-7.30 pm)

VLE

Assignment Deadline

Unit 1

Michaelmas Term

Starts 6 October 2023

approx. 200 study hours required

Recorded webinars and reading

to undertake at a time that suits 

you prior to the Study Days

6 October (induction)

12 & 13 October

19 & 20 October

Study group sessions for 1-hour duration each, following on from

the Study Days on:

26 October

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 November 

7 & 14 December

Access VLE materials and weekly discussion

forums throughout the unit

Wednesday 3 January 2024

3,000 - 3,500 word assignment 

Unit 2

Lent Term

Starts 3 January 2024

approx. 200 study hours required

Recorded webinars and reading

to undertake at a time that suits 

you prior to the Study Days

4 & 5 January

11 & 12 January

Study group sessions for 1-hour duration each, following on from

the Study Days on:

18 & 25 January

1, 8, 15, 22 & 29February

7 March

Access VLE materials and weekly discussion

forums throughout the unit

Wednesday 20 March 2024

3,000 - 3,500 word assignment plus 
evidence of 5 hours of coaching beyond the course

Unit 3

Easter Term

Starts 2 April 2024

approx. 200 study hours required

Recorded webinars and reading

to undertake at a time that suits 

you prior to the Study Days

4 & 5 April

11 & 12 April

Study group sessions for 1-hour duration each, following on from

the Study Days on:

18 & 25 April

2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 May

6 June

Access VLE materials and weekly discussion

forums throughout the unit

 Friday 14 June 2024

3,000 - 3,500 word assignment plus 
evidence of 15 hours of coaching beyond the course

Teaching

Teaching methods will include: peer coaching, demonstration coaching, role-plays, coaching simulations, case studies, small and large group discussion, and presentations. Some elements in the peer coaching will be co-tutored to provide immediate feedback and support to participants. Presentations from the facilitator will set out concepts, conceptual frameworks and theory relating to the topics to be covered; other modes of teaching and learning are designed to enable participants to achieve the stated learning aims and objectives.

Assessment

Students are awarded a course mark on the basis of:

  • Summative assignments totalling 9,000-10,500 words or their equivalent
    Each unit is assessed by a 3,000 - 3,500 word assignment with each assignment weighted at 30% of the overall course mark.
  • Having undertaken an observed coach practice session
    Students must undertake an observed coaching session during the course, which will be assessed on a pass/fail basis against the Association of Coaching (AC) competency framework, and will be weighted at 5% of the overall mark.
  • Submission of a reflective coaching log with evidence of satisfactory coaching practice
    Students are required to submit a reflective coaching log that evidences a satisfactory coaching process consistent with the coaching principles and practice skills as taught during the course. This will be assessed on a pass/fail basis against the Association of Coaching (AC) competency framework and will be weighted at 5% of the overall mark. The coaching log will consist of evidence of 20 hours coaching. These 20 hours can include up to 7 hours of coaching with fellow students on the course, including classroom based activities.

What is the status of this qualification?

The course is taught and awarded at first-year undergraduate level (FHEQ 4) and offers 60 credits within the Higher Education Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). This is equivalent to half of the first year of full-time undergraduate study.

Unless otherwise stated, teaching and assessment for ICE courses are in English. If your first language is not English, please refer to our Information for Applicants pages for further guidance.

Course dates

06 Oct 2023 to 14 Jun 2024

Course duration

1 Year

Apply by

04 Sep 2023

Course fee

£4,100

Academic director

Academic Directors, Course Directors and Tutors are subject to change, when necessary.

Venue

Virtual Classroom
(via Zoom or equivalent)

Qualifications / Credits

60 credits at Level 4

Course code

2324CCB421