Undergraduate Certificate in Coaching

This course will provide you with the opportunity to develop skills in coaching other people within your chosen sphere of activity and an understanding of the nature of coaching as an effective tool for personal development. It will focus on coaching processes and techniques, together with the theories that underpin them.

On completing the course you will also have gained a critical awareness of the legal and ethical aspects of coaching and will be able to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired to enhance your professional and personal capability.

Who is this course for?

This is an entry level course and is suitable for all levels including those who have been coaching but who have no formal qualifications and provides excellent ground work for those wishing to go on to take our Diploma course.

ACCT Status 

ICE is an Organisational Member and recognised coach training provider of the Association for Coaching and this course has been awarded the Accredited Certificate in Coaching Training (ACCT) status. During your studies with us, you will have the support of the full range of AC services available to AC Affiliate Members. Benefits include Co-coaching forums, Group Supervision, and discounts on events, conferences and third-party services including insurance.

What will I be studying?

Unit 1: Introduction to coaching: core skills and methodologies

Synchronous (live) Study Dates: 7 (Induction), 13, 14, 20 & 21 October (09:30 - 16:30 UK time, including breaks)

Tutor facilitated study groups: 27 October, 3, 10, 17 & 24 November, 1, 8 & 15 December (1-hour duration)

This unit of study provides students with a thorough introduction to the subject of coaching. At the end of the unit students will have a robust understanding of the theories and concepts that underpin coaching in practice; the role coaching plays in a variety of contexts; and the interrelationship of the concepts of coaching, mentoring, counselling and training.

Unit 2: Raising awareness in self and others

Synchronous (live) Study Dates: 5, 6, 12 & 13 January (09:30 - 16:30 UK time, including breaks)

Tutor facilitated study groups: 19 & 26 January, 2, 9, 16 & 23 February, 2 & 9 March (1-hour duration)

Students will demonstrate the importance of self-awareness and non-judgemental approaches to coaching. Awareness lies at the heart of coaching and students will critically review its role in development and how it leads to responsibility. Raising awareness within the client is matched by growing self-awareness. Students will be introduced to psychological mindedness and the importance of creating safe coaching environments for clients. The course will introduce students to different psychological approaches. 

Unit 3: Coaching applications and practice

Synchronous (live) Study Dates: 30 & 31 March, 5 & 6 April (09:30 - 16:30 UK time, including breaks)

Tutor facilitated study groups: 13, 20 & 27 April, 4, 11, 18 & 25 May, 1 June (1-hour duration)

This unit introduces students to different coaching applications. For many, this will be primarily between life coaching and executive coaching. Life coaching takes place outside of organisations and focuses exclusively upon the development of the individual. This provides a thorough introduction to key themes that emerge in life coaching including legal and ethical considerations.

Students will develop a sound understanding of the role of executive coaching and its role in leadership development. Students will critically review the differences between the two. The unit then explores further applications, such as team coaching, career coaching and working with specific groups (e.g. young people). The unit then considers practical aspects of coaching including managing the coaching relationship, contracting, monitoring and reviewing and closing the relationship.

What our students say

Read what our students have to say about their experience of studying at coaching at ICE.

Entry requirements

There are no formal academic entry requirements for this course but as it is taught at university level applicants should be able to read, write and speak English fluently. 

English language requirement

If English is not your first language, you need to be able to prove you meet the University of Cambridge English language requirements on application. Please refer to our English language requirements for Undergraduate Certificates, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas pages for further information.

Technical requirements

For the 2022-2023 Academic Year this course is being taught remotely. This means there will be no face-to-face teaching and you will not need to be present in person in Cambridge, although there is an expectation that you will attend synchronous teaching sessions. The course content will be delivered, and the learning outcomes met, through the use of video-based teaching platforms and a dedicated course Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). 

You will therefore need to have access to: 

• the internet via a computer, laptop, tablet or other smart device
• speakers or headphones in order to hear any pre-recorded material 
• a webcam and microphone for any interactive sessions which may be available 

Once you are logged into the VLE you can familiarise yourself with the learning environment. There is also guidance about how to access course materials and activities.  

Certificate or Diploma level

Our Certificate course provides students with fundamental knowledge and a strong foundation for further study in the subject area of Coaching and provides excellent ground work for those wishing to go on to take our Diploma course. If you have a higher level qualification, don’t be put off by the Certificate qualification at FHEQ4. Coaching is distinct from many management and leadership qualifications; it is highly experiential. 

The Certificate and Diploma courses have been designed to provide a progression path for your Coaching studies. The Diploma is suitable for those who have successfully completed the Certificate course or who have an FHEQ level 4 or equivalent qualification in Coaching or a very closely related subject area. Students are encouraged to complete the Certificate first, to ensure there are solid foundations upon which to build coaching practice. 

Please be aware that joining at the Diploma stage means that you would be working with, amongst others, those who have completed the Certificate (or equivalent) and built up a substantial base of coaching hours, together with relevant underpinning academic knowledge. 

The tuition fee for the course is £4,000.   

You can pay in two ways: 

• in full on enrolment by credit or debit card 

• in three equal instalments (credit/debit card only): the first on enrolment, with the second and third instalment being taken on 1 January and 1 April . The exact dates will be confirmed in the student’s individual booking details

Please note your place on the course is not secured until payment is received by the Institute of Continuing Education and any necessary documentation, i.e. proof of English language proficiency. 

Sources of funding, bursaries and Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)

• Details of current bursary award schemes, application deadlines and information about how to apply are available on this website. Find out more. Please check the website regularly for updates as we frequently launch new bursary opportunities.
• Part-time students living in England and applying to study one of Undergraduate Certificates, Undergraduate Diplomas or Undergraduate Advanced Diplomas may be able to apply for a Student Loan from Student Finance England. These loans are for tuition fee costs only. None of our undergraduate courses are eligible for a Part-Time Maintenance Loan. Information on how to apply for a loan can be found on the GOV.UK website: Student finance: how to apply. Please note that you will not be eligible for a loan if you are studying for a lesser or equivalent qualification to one you already have.
• If you are a UK student on a course that could enable you to apply for a student loan and you have a disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty which affects your ability to study, you may be able to apply for a Disabled Student's Allowance (DSA). Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) guide - on the GOV.UK website

Irene Cooper Coaching Bursary

The University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education (ICE) is deeply grateful to all who have contributed funds in memory of Irene Cooper, an alumna of the Institute.

The Irene Cooper Coaching bursary is intended to enable prospective adult learners, for whom finance may be a barrier to part-time study, to enrol on the part-time University of Cambridge Undergraduate Certificate in Coaching. One bursary is available, providing a subsidy of £1000 tuition fee reduction.

How to apply for a bursary

Step one: Apply for a place on the course. Applicants can only apply for a bursary after making an application for the Undergraduate Certificate in Coaching course through the online application portal.

Step two: Complete the online bursary application form. You will be required to provide a personal statement (up to 200 words), outlining your motivations for applying for the bursary and how it will enable you to student at ICE if successful.

The deadline for applications for this bursary is 19 April 2022.

 Cancellations and refunds

• The ICE Cancellations and Refunds policy can be viewed here
• This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by 12 September 2022 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered to transfer their application to another course or receive a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our ICE Cancellations and Refunds policy)

Please apply via the link at the top of this page. Your application will be assessed and you will be notified of the outcome by email. If you are offered a place, you will receive instructions as to how to register and pay. Please note that places are limited and on a first-come first-served basis. 

Closing date for applications - extended

Applications for this course can be received until midday (12 noon) on Monday 12 September 2022. If you are offered a place on the course, we will ask you to complete your booking within a limited time and to pay the fees or if paying fees by instalments, the first instalment of fees to secure your place. 

Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs). Please do read through these, as well as the information provided on the tabs, and you should find the answers to most questions. However, if you still cannot find what you are looking for then please click on, the ‘ASK A QUESTION’ link at the top right of this page to send the course team a message and we will respond as soon as possible.

Level of study

What is the difference between the Certificate and Diploma level?

Please see a full explanation on the Requirements tab. The Certificate and Diploma courses have been designed to provide a progression path for your Coaching studies. The Diploma is suitable for those who have successfully completed the Certificate course or who have an FHEQ level 4 or equivalent qualification in Coaching or a very closely related subject area. Students are encouraged to complete the Certificate first, to ensure there are solid foundations upon which to build coaching practice.

Why should I take the Certificate if you offer a Diploma?

Our Certificate course provides students with fundamental knowledge and a strong foundation for further study in the subject area of Coaching and provides excellent groundwork for those wishing to go on to take our Diploma course. The Certificate and Diploma courses have been designed to provide a progression path for your Coaching studies. The Diploma is suitable for those who have successfully completed the Certificate course or who have an FHEQ level 4 or equivalent qualification in Coaching or a very closely related subject area. Students are encouraged to complete the Certificate first, to ensure there are solid foundations upon which to build coaching practice.

I already have a degree so can I start my studies with the Diploma?

If you have a higher-level qualification, do not be put off by the Certificate qualification at FHEQ4. Coaching is distinct from many management and leadership qualifications; it is highly experiential. We are looking for a demonstrable level of competence in Coaching from Diploma applicants rather than previous academic attainment. Those holding a PhD or Master’s but are new to Coaching should start their studies with the Certificate.

I am still unsure as to what level would be right for me. What is a quick gauge I can use?

There are a few key indicators of why you would be more suited to starting on the Certificate rather than the Diploma. These include:

• Difficulty in completing the 300-word reflective written task required for applying to the Diploma course. You should be able to describe your coaching approach stating which models and/or theories inform your current practice, how these have developed your coaching and what you have learnt from applying them. You should also be able to cite your academic sources to support this.
• Struggling to think how you would be able to build 40 hours of coaching practice to provide evidence of coaching beyond the course. You are required to submit coaching logs for each unit of the course, they should reflect on your current coaching practice and how academic learning has been integrated. Our Diploma students will normally have built up a coaching network before they start to support this.

Delivery and Learning Methodology

How are classes taught?

For the 2022-2023 Academic Year this course is being taught remotely. This means there will be no face-to-face teaching and you will not need to be present in person in Cambridge, although there is an expectation that you will attend synchronous (live) teaching sessions. The course content will be delivered, and the learning outcomes met, using video-based teaching platforms and a dedicated course Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

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.

Does the course include any coach practice or does it just teach theory?

Yes, our courses combine the rigorous academic standards of the University of Cambridge and the professional practice of the Association for Coaching. For both the Certificate and Diploma in each unit there will be sessions dedicated to coach practice, where you work with fellow students to practice your coaching skills. You will also be required to undertake coaching beyond the programme to reflect on your personal coaching practice and how academic learning has been integrated.

Will this course help decide what direction I want to take my coaching in?

The course enables students to develop their knowledge, skills and competence in a range of coaching approaches and techniques, and to be able to critically select and use appropriate techniques in different situations. It does not focus on a particular niche of coaching (such as Executive Coaching, Medical Careers Coaching, Maternity Coaching, Career Coaching, Leadership Team Coaching etc.) but does explore niches as a topic. It is completely up to the individual student as to what they would like to focus their coaching practice on. You may start with one idea and then through the skills and knowledge you gain on the course your journey and interests could develop into another area.

What is the Flipped Classroom Approach?

The Flipped Classroom approach is a blended learning strategy which aims to increase student engagement with the course. Teaching and learning for the unit are delivered through a combination of formal presentations by the tutor, a range of interactive and participatory methods of teaching and learning, and through reading and tasks to be undertaken individually by students outside the unit sessions.

How will I be assessed?

At the end of each unit, you will be required to submit an academic assignment that is written in a clearly articulated, critically analytical manner and demonstrates your understanding of the course subject, and your ability to include appropriate references.

You will also be required to submit Reflective Coaching Logs with the assignments, which are not part of the word count. These provide evidence of your ability to coach and your development of coaching practice and will include personal reflections of experiences and how academic learning had been integrated with the intention of deepening self-awareness as a coach.

When do the Study Days (live teaching) normally take place?

Please see the Teaching & Assessment tab for full details of Study Days and Tutorials. Study Days are usually scheduled within the first two weeks of the unit and take place between the hours of 9.30am to 4.30pm GMT. A timetable is provided prior to the start of each unit. Students are expected to participate actively in Study Day sessions as they provide interactive teaching, such as small or whole group practice sessions, exercises and structured seminar discussions. Parts of the Study Days are recorded for later reference however not all content can be recorded due to the confidential nature of some of the discussions that take place.

Accreditation

Is this course accredited?

The Institute of Continuing Education is an Organisational Member and recognised coach training provider of the Association for Coaching and our courses have been awarded the Accredited Certificate in Coaching Training (ACCT) and Accredited Diploma in Coaching Training (ADCT) status. During your studies with us, you will have the support of the full range of AC services available to AC Affiliate Members. Benefits include Co-coaching forums, Group Supervision, and discounts on events, conferences and third-party services including insurance.

What does Accredited Certificate/ Diploma in Coaching Training (ACCT/ ADCT) status mean?

The Association for Coaching (AC) Coach Training Accreditation Scheme is designed to further the AC’s purpose of championing standards of excellence in the coaching professions. Our Undergraduate Coaching courses have been awarded ACCT/ ADCT status, this means the training provided by ICE meets the rigorous standards set by the AC in terms of knowledge, practical experience and application of coaching competencies (all benchmarked against best practice).

Can I call myself an accredited coach upon completion of this course?

No – achieving the award does not allow you to call yourself an accredited coach. The training is accredited rather than the individual; therefore, you need to apply to a coaching body to gain accredited coach status. The main coaching bodies are the Association of Coaching (AC), the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), you need to directly apply your chosen coaching body and meet their requirements in order to gain accredited coach status.

General

Why should I study Coaching at ICE?

Where you train is a personal decision for what and where suits you. Our courses combine the rigorous academic standards of the University of Cambridge and the professional practice of the Association for Coaching. ICE is an Organisational Member and recognised coach training provider of the Association for Coaching and our courses have been awarded the Accredited Certificate in Coaching Training (ACCT) and Accredited Diploma in Coaching Training (ADCT) status. During your studies with us, you will have the support of the full range of AC services available to AC Affiliate Members. Benefits include Co-coaching forums, Group Supervision, and discounts on events, conferences and third-party services including insurance.

In addition to the live workshop sessions where there is an opportunity for coaching practice, each term comprises teaching via the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) and weekly tutorials where you will be supported by your tutor and other students on your course.

Can I undertake this course whilst working?

Yes. As a part time course, the Certificate in Coaching enables learners to maintain personal and professional commitments while also studying at ICE. It is important to consider all aspects of your life before you decide to study on a course, having a clear idea of how you will accommodate studying into your current routine before you apply will enable you to get as much out of the course as possible.

How many hours of study are required?

The award of academic credit is a means of quantifying and recognising learning and within the UK, one credit notionally represents 10 hours of learning. Each of the units of these courses attracts 20 credits so students should expect to need to study for approximately 200 hours in total to complete each unit successfully. Study includes synchronous/ asynchronous teaching, tutorials, reading, VLE participation, assignment preparation and independent study. However, it is recognised that student’s study at different paces and use a variety of approaches, so this is a recommendation, rather than a hard-and-fast calculation.