Key Features
Teaching delivered by experienced and practicing professionals
Opportunities to apply theory through workshops
Delivered through blended learning (in person and online)
Learn alongside working in a clinical setting
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The role of a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) is a crucial component of NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression. PWPs work in NHS Talking Therapy services following the Stepped Care Model and work at Step 2 to deliver assessments and treatments.
These treatments are NICE approved evidence-based low intensity CBT based treatments and can be delivered through a range of modes of delivery based on patient choice. This can include guided self-help, delivered on a one-to-one basis or as a group, and via the telephone, interactive text or computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT).
PWP interventions aim to have a meaningful impact on patients' lives, improving social inclusion, employment and community connection, as well as symptoms.
The course is available as the standard part-time route and as an adapted part-time route for those who are employed part-time. Additionally, the course is available at Undergraduate and Postgraduate, depending on your previous level of study.
How You Study
You will study alongside working in a clinical setting. Teaching is a blend of online and face-to-face, and content is delivered through a combination of lectures and practical workshops, both delivered by qualified and experienced Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.
Lectures give you the opportunity to explore the underpinning theories and evidence base, and workshops provide a chance to apply this theory into your clinical practice through experiential learning strategies by role playing with actors or other trainees.
Trainees on the standard part-time route will have one study day per week to undertake self-directed study including essays, portfolio work, and directed practice-based learning, and will work three days a week in a clinical setting.
Trainees on the adapted part-time route will work in a clinical setting, as well as having the equivalent number of protected study time to undertake self-directed study including essays, portfolio work, and directed practice-based learning.
Modules
Module Overview
This module will equip trainee PWPs with a good understanding of the incidence, prevalence and presentation of common mental health problems and evidenced-based treatment choices.
Skills teaching will develop trainee PWPs’ core ‘common factors’ competencies of active listening, engagement, alliance building, patient-centred information gathering, information giving, and shared decision-making.
Module Overview
Students will have the opportunity to learn about theoretical psychological models (primarily low intensity cognitive behavioural - LiCBT) of psychological change and the pharmacological interventions that underpin PWP practice. They will further have the opportunity to practice evidence based low-intensity psychological treatments commonly used in NHS Talking Therapies services.
Module Overview
This module stresses the central role NHS values have in the promotion of recovery. Trainees will have the opportunity to learn about power imbalances in therapeutic relationships and the importance of social inclusion. They will have the opportunity to develop and consolidate their commitment to understanding cultural differences and the impact physical and sensory difficulties can have on delivering effective services to a diverse population.
Trainees will have the opportunity to develop the skills to ensure they work effectively with supervision and within their own competence, and to learn about the role of other therapists and how to access resources for clients who need a higher intensity service.
Module Overview
In this module, trainees will be on placement working in NHS Talking Therapies services, working under supervision delivering a range of PWP assessments and interventions.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
BPS Accreditation
The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) meaning those who complete the course can register with the BPS or the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies.
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Entry Requirements 2025-26
Entry Requirements
Trainees must be employed, either full-time or part-time, as a trainee PWP by an NHS Talking Therapies service at the point of entry, and must be eligible for funding from NHS-England.
Recruitment is shared with employers, and therefore applicants must also meet the criteria for the employing organisation. Trainees must be able to provide suitable references. Trainees must be deemed suitable by both the university and the employing service.
Typically, trainees on the UniDip programme will have previously studied to Level 5. However, those with Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications may also be considered, subject to successfully being able to demonstrate their ability to perform at academic Level 5.
Candidates whose first language is not English will be required to have a recognised English language qualification achieved no more than two years prior to admission: A British Council IELTS overall minimum score of 7.5 with no element below 7.0, achieved no more than two years prior to admission. OR Pearson Test of English Academic 73 (minimum 67). OR CELE pre-sessional course final assessment of "Pass with High Distinction".
How you are assessed
Assessment is primarily undertaken through essays. However, there are other opportunities to demonstrate your skillsets through clinical treatment tapes and a portfolio submission.
Fees and Funding
This course is fully funded by NHS England.
NHS England Funding Guidance
In line with guidance from NHS England (formally Health Education England), individuals who have had NHS funding for a psychological professions training programme will not normally be eligible to receive NHS funding for a subsequent psychological professions training until a minimum of 2 years after the award for training is recommended by the qualifying examination board or by the chairs action after the qualifying exam board.
This rule also applies to any individual who starts and subsequently completes, withdraws, or fails to complete the qualifying requirements of a training programme.
For more information, please see NHS funding for psychological professions training programmes | NHS England | Workforce, training and education.
Explore Flexible Learning
From short courses to professional development modules, we offer a range of flexible programmes to suit your individual needs. Our suite of programmes uses a variety of delivery methods, including online-only, face-to-face, blended, and distance-learning approaches.
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Alternative Courses
For those who already hold an Undergraduate degree, we offer a Postgraduate route - Postgraduate Certificate Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner.
For qualified PWPs with enough experience, we also deliver a NHS Talking Therapies Supervisor Training course.