Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Approaches (Top-Up)
BSc (Hons)

If you are looking to develop mental health therapy skills and practice as a therapist, a nurse or other roles within the health and social care sector, this course is for you. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is currently receiving the highest funding from the UK government among all the other therapeutic interventions, and is one of the most-well-researched psychological interventions around the world. As a result, the need for learning cognitive behavioural therapies has seen a significant increase in demand worldwide.

Ideal for developing mental health therapy skills

This course will teach you about the foundation of Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Approaches, research skills, evidence-based practice, the integration of cognitive behavioural therapies into practice, and about contemporary approaches of cognitive behavioural therapies such as compassion-focused therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.

By completing this programme, you will have a solid foundation to integrate Cognitive Behavioural Therapies Approaches into your workplace or practice, as well as the ability to implement strong research skills to help clients and patients effectively. You will be given the opportunity to develop key, critical competencies and develop your own area of expertise, developing self-awareness and an understanding of the need for personal professional development.

A high quality online cognitive behavioural course

This online Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic (Top-Up) BSc (Hons) course is Quality Checked by the National Counselling Society (NCS). This course alone is not a route to the Accredited Register nor does it fully equip a graduate to practice as a qualified counsellor.

The NCS is a not for profit organisation whose primary purpose is the advancement of counselling and psychotherapy.

Flexible and supported learning

We recognise health and social care professionals have demanding and busy schedules. Studying this course online enables you to enhance your practice through part-time, online learning while still focusing on what’s important. You can choose to study at a time that suits you, fitting your studies around your commitments, preparing you to integrate CBT into your line of work or supporting your next step to a masters programme.

This two-year, level 6 course enables you to top up your existing qualifications to a bachelors degree while developing your knowledge and understanding of this highly demanded mental health intervention. If you’re looking to become a counsellor or psychotherapist, by completing this course and along with the relevant experience required, you will be well prepared for progressing on to a masters programme, such as our Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy MSc on campus which offers a professional registration.

The flexible and self-paced structure of our top-up course enables you to fit your studies around your professional and personal commitments, giving you the ability to study while developing your professional career.

During the course, you will cover areas such as evidence-based practice, understanding and application of cognitive behavioural therapies, compassionate-focused therapy, mindfulness, research skills and working with people with distress and disorder.

This Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Approaches (Top-Up) BSc (Hons) degree course is delivered fully online with tutoring from our expert academics, who bring a wealth of experience and specialist knowledge to enrich your learning further, helping you to achieve a recognised university qualification.

Find out more about the course

Find out more about our mental health and psychotherapy programs as Dr Yasuhiro Kotera, talks about our online Counselling and Psychotherapy courses.

If you have any further questions you can contact-us.

We will advise you of your study plan - the running order and availability of the modules - when you are invited to enrol.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Pace of study

The academic year is made up of three 10-week terms, known as trimesters. We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester.

If you opt to undertake the accelerated study plan whereby you will study two modules in one trimester, we recommend 40 hours of study per week.

Should you decide to study on the accelerated rate you should ensure that you have the capacity to fully engage with your studies and achieve the best grades and final award. If you choose to study on the accelerated rate, you will need to balance approximately 40 hours of study per week alongside your professional and personal life and commitments.

It may be useful to consider studying one module at the standard rate of study before deciding whether to then increase to the accelerated rate of study.

Assessment method

This course is assessed through 100% coursework with a range of methods, such as essays, research reports, presentations, group work and practical reports.

Student support and guidance

Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:

• Library
• Health and Wellbeing Centre
• Careers and Employability Service
• IT Support
• Union of Students

All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.

Get a taste of the course content

Our Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Approaches (Top-Up) BSc (Hons) course taster will give you an idea of how online learning works. It includes a selection of content from a course module so you can see what some of our learning material looks like.

You will need to complete a short form to access the course taster.

You will need:

• 240 credits at levels 4 and 5 in a healthcare or social care-related discipline or other equivalent qualification
• To be working in a healthcare or social care practice either in a paid or voluntary capacity

Entry to the programme may be possible subject to the University’s recognition of prior learning (RPL) procedures, which may give credit for prior skills, experience or learning.

English Language Qualifications

Applicants whose first language is not English or who have not studied in an English-speaking institution, will need:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 6.0*
• Qualification evidence awarded in your country
• Transcripts of all relevant education/training

*If you have a minimum of IELTS level 4.5, you can study our Certificate of Credit in English for Academic Purposes which we will accept as evidence that you are able to perform at a suitable level of IELTS 6.0. We will also accept the Certificate of Credit as evidence that you can perform at GCSE level.

If you are unable to take an English Language Test locally, you may wish to consider our Derby English Language Test (DELT), which is an online test in two parts: reading and writing, and listening and speaking. Take a look at our Derby English Language test (DELT) page for full course details, online exam dates and how to book.

^‡2021/22 Fees for new entrants

Starting between September 2021 and August 2022.

2022/23 Fees for new entrants

Starting between September 2022 and August 2023.

About your fees

This figure would be the total cost of this course in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.

However, please also note that you can receive a 5% discount if you either:

• Pay your full course fees upfront, or
• When enrolling in September, pay for all of your modules to be studied in that academic year upfront

Flexible payment plans available

Choose from three payment plan options:

• Pay monthly and only for the modules you are studying

• Pay your full course fees upfront, receive 5% discount and avoid annual increases

• Pay for all modules studied in the year and receive a 5% discount (September enrolment only)

Undergraduate funding options

Depending on where you are from in the UK or EU, and on your pace of study, you may be eligible for an undergraduate student loan. Accessible through Student Finance, this is a non-income based loan to meet the cost of tuition fees.

If you already hold an honours degree, and you are looking to re-skill or up-skill, you may still be eligible for a loan to study this course.

Students should apply directly to the University.

Apply now

For support with completing your application, view our guide to the application process.

Documents to support your application

In order for your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:

• Photo ID – this could be your passport or driving licence
• Current CV
• Written reference supplied on headed paper from either a manager, supervisor, tutor or teacher
• Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*

*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:

• Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• The date of the translation
• The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
• The translator’s contact details

A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Government website.

Please note: failure to submit any documentation when requested, may result in your application being withdrawn.

Application deadlines

All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts. Take a look at information regarding applying for an online course to see full details of deadlines and term dates.

While studying this course, you will be working in a healthcare or social care setting, locally, nationally or internationally. The knowledge and skills gained from this course will enhance your ability to develop your career and enrich your professional practice. Furthermore, the programme may enhance your academic ambitions, which may include progressing on to a masters degree.

Becoming a counsellor or psychotherapist

After completion of this programme, you could move on to a postgraduate programme in Counselling or Psychotherapy, which helps you earn a counsellor or psychotherapist registry. To achieve this, you could study:

• Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy MSc on campus at the University of Derby to apply for BABCP (British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies) accreditation
• Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy MSc on campus at the University of Derby to become a registered counsellor or psychotherapist with the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)

Further online learning

After completion of the top-up degree, you could choose to undertake further online study.

Psychology

You could move on to our masters programme in Psychology or Health Psychology, depending on your academic background. If you don’t have enough Psychology academic background, you can take University Certificate in Psychology to get yourself ready for these online masters programmes.

Health and Social Care

You could move on to our Master’s programme in Integrative Health and Social Care.

Contact us

Contact the University of Derby Online Learning:

Other courses you might like

• Cognitive Behavioural Studies and Skills University Advanced Diploma
• Counselling Studies and Skills University Diploma
• Cognitive Behavioural Professional Requirements