Undergraduate Diploma in Coaching

For the 2020-2021 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. 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. 

The programme follows on from and builds upon the Certificate in Coaching. It provides a clear progression route for students wishing to develop their coaching practice. The diploma deepens and enriches knowledge about coaching, enhances coaching skills and enables you to recognise and reflect upon your growing competence.

ICE is an Organisational Member and recognised coach training provider of the Association for Coaching and this course has been awarded the Accredited Diploma in Coach 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 will I be studying?

Unit 1: Psychological approaches to coaching

This unit introduces you to the psychological and emotional dimensions of coaching. It describes a number of psychological approaches and their influence upon coaching:

• gestalt
• systemic-psychodynamic
• cognitive behavioural
• transactional analysis
• positive psychology
• emotional intelligence

Unit 2: Personal and professional development

This unit focuses on the personal and professional growth of the coach. There is considerable emphasis on coaching practice and experiential learning. Whereas the other two assignments are knowledge based, this practical unit describes the growing capability of the student to coach others. 

Unit 3: Coaching and change

Learning and development interventions are predicated upon change in the learner, and this unit explores coaching, change and the causal relationships between the two. The initial focus is on change intra-personally, from the client's perspective followed by students analysis and review of their own personal experiences of and responses to change. 

What our students say

• 91% of students said the tutor's subject knowledge was Excellent 
• Did the course effectively meet objectives? 100% of students said the course was Excellent (75%) or Good (25%) when responding to the question ‘objectives met effectively?’

(statistics taken from 18 students surveyed 3 times during the 18/19 academic year. 86% response rate)

“Content was informative and stretched existing knowledge, delivered professionally in a way that made it click.” Anonymous, Diploma in Coaching 2018-19

“this course, for me, has been inspiring/moving/life changing.” Anonymous, Diploma in Coaching 2018-19

“The course was above and beyond my expectations. I was really looking forward to the course, but I had not anticipated just how enjoyable and enriching the experience would be. I found the course an excellent balance between the theoretical framework of coaching and an opportunity to practice.” Nicola Magnusson Diploma in Coaching 

Hear what our students have to say about their experiences of studying coaching at ICE in this short 3 minute film. 

Entry requirements

The Diploma level course is designed for students who have either completed the Undergraduate Certificate in Coaching; hold an equivalent qualification or who can demonstrate an equivalent number of practical coaching hours.

Diploma students are expected to be;

• knowledgeable about, and have experience of, core coaching methodologies
• able to demonstrate competence in coaching and the application of coaching models

Applicants with one or more of the following will be considered:

• successful completion of our Certificate in Coaching
• relevant academic study of coaching at FHEQ 4 or equivalent
• a relevant undergraduate or postgraduate qualification i.e. psychotherapy, psychology, counselling
• completed a significant* amount of coach training and practice

*minimum of 20 hours coach training/practice

If you have none of the above, we would recommend you apply for our Certificate in Coaching. However, if you feel strongly that the Diploma level* is the right course for you, you may still apply with detailed information regarding your previous training/qualifications and coaching experience/practice and the Course Director will consider your application, acceptance onto the course will be entirely at her discretion.

*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.

Still have questions? 

Please get in touch with us or refer to our Coaching qualifications decision tree document (below).

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.

You can pay in two ways:

• in full on enrolment (by cheque payable to the University of Cambridge or by credit or debit card)
• in four equal instalments (credit/debit card only): the first on enrolment, and the second, third and final instalment being taken 1 month, 3 months and 5 months after the course start date. 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 accompanied by any necessary documentation, i.e. proof of English language proficiency.

ICE fees and refund policy

For information on bursaries for this course, please see https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/bursaries

For information on a loan from Student Finance England for course fees and maintenance costs, please see https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/info/student-loans

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by 4 September 2020 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Cancellation policy).

Please apply via the link at the top of this page. If applicable, please ensure you have the the necessary proof of English Language proficiency documentation in place prior to your application. Please refer to our English language requirements for Undergraduate Certificates, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas pages for further information.

Written task

As part of your application, you are required to write a reflective review, of no more than 300 words, describing your coaching approach stating which models and / or theories inform your practice. Please include how these models or theories have helped to develop your coaching; how the models have challenged your coaching experience and what learning you have gained by applying these models or theories to your coaching practice. Please cite appropriate academic sources to support this reflective review. N.B your reflective review should be entered in the relevant section of the application form.
 

Closing date for applications

Following the initial gathered field deadline for this course, applications have reopened.

Applications for this course can be received until midday (12 noon) on 14 September 2020. 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.

This course will require a minimum number of students in order to run. Applicants for this course will be notified by 18 September 2020 if the course is not going to be running at which point students will be offered a refund of the fees they have paid so far (please see our Cancellation policy).

If you are not offered a place on the Diploma, we will recommend you apply to the Certificate in Coaching (subject to availability).