Career Development and Employability Postgraduate Diploma (Distance Learning)

Start date

5 January 2026

5 May 2026

Duration

1 year full-time, distance learning
2 years part-time, distance learning

Chat with our students

About the course

Reasons to study

Progress your career: you could gain a professional qualification alongside your postgraduate diploma.
Gain vital practical and professional experience through work placement opportunities.
Academic expertise: we have been teaching career guidance courses for over 40 years.

This course is for those seeking a professional qualification in Career Guidance. You’ll have the opportunity to take the Qualification in Career Development (QCD) - the nationally recognised professional qualification awarded by the Career Development Institute (CDI) - alongside the Master's qualification. You’ll learn about policy, practice and theories underpinning career guidance, equality and diversity, partnership working and research-based practice.

Why Career Development and Employability?

The course can lead to a wide variety of interesting and rewarding career prospects in the career guidance and development sector including higher and further education careers and employability services, secondary education and third sector organisations. You can find out more via the CDI
You’ll study 100% online on a one year full-time or two years part-time basis. Successful completion of the course can result in the Career Development Institute approved career guidance professional qualification (the Qualification in Career Development or QCD).
Huddersfield has been teaching career guidance courses for over 40 years and has established a strong national reputation in the sector. You’ll also have access to our extensive professional and academic network which feeds directly into course design and delivery and to excellent facilities and specialist equipment.
This course is open to graduates from any discipline, as well as applicants with a professional qualification and/or suitable experience.

Discover more about Distance Learning at Huddersfield.

Course detail

Core Modules

Whether you’re on the full-time or part-time course, you will study five core modules:

Effective Careers Conversations (DL)

This module examines the professional role of a career development practitioner in order to enable you to develop as reflective practitioner who draws on developmental supervision. It considers the theory, principles and practice of working with individuals within a Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) setting. The module explores techniques, approaches and a range of models appropriate for use by careers guidance practitioners, and it provides the opportunity for you to critically assess and evaluate your own skills, knowledge and values as a reflective careers guidance practitioner. You will consider ethical practice and professional boundaries and analyse your own professional practice.

Theories of Career Decision Making (DL)

This module critically evaluates a range of theories relating to occupational choice and examines the relationship between theory and professional practice. Students are encouraged to understand the value of theory in their own professional practice across a range of settings. Principles of curriculum design and planning in relation to Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance in a variety of settings are also examined. The module promotes critical understanding of models of guidance, planning action and client assessment methods.

Facilitating Careers Work in Groups (DL)

This module will support you to develop the knowledge and ability to design and deliver career and employability group work whether that sits within the curriculum or not. The module also considers principles of career development learning and curriculum or programme design. It considers the theory, principles and practice of working with groups within a Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) setting. The module explores techniques, approaches and a range of models appropriate for use by careers guidance practitioners, and it provides the opportunity for you to critically assess and evaluate your own skills, knowledge and values as a reflective career development practitioner. You will consider ethical practice and professional boundaries and analyse your own professional practice.

Organisational Culture (DL)

This module examines approaches to professional practice in a range of contexts. It considers the nature of the organisation within which professional practice related to carer development and employability is located. You will develop practical skills and knowledge, using theoretical justification for a range of practices. Subjects such as, safeguarding, equality, government policy and working within formal educational settings will be considered. Learning in the workplace will focus on your own learning contract and your progress against it.

Understanding the Labour Market (DL)

This module will critically evaluate the major labour market sources used in careers and employability work across a range of relevant sectors and will explore how guidance professionals use this in their professional practice.

Option Modules

You will also have the option to choose one option module from a list which may include:

Higher Education in Context (DL)

This module focuses on the policy and institutional strategy contexts in which careers and employability work is carried out in the higher education sector. The module addresses underpinning theories and policies related to career development, careers education and curriculum design, graduate employability and the graduate labour market. The use of data within the context of the higher education careers and employability sector will be considered and evaluated. You will be encouraged to examine relevant theories and policies and will relate these to your critical understanding of strategy and operations, resourcing choices, student, academic and employer engagement and the evidence base for determining and evaluating programmes and interventions.

Leadership and Management in Careers Education (DL)

This module will develop your understanding of theories of leadership, management and the organisation of professional practice within the career education and development sector. You will explore relevant theory and practical factors such as: the impact of organisational structures, policy and culture on practice; the management of change in professional practice, programme evaluation practices, networking and inter-agency working. You will be provided with opportunities to reflect on your leadership and management capabilities in order to develop your skills in these areas.

Employer Engagement and Business Support (DL)

This module focuses on the key policy, strategic and operational issues relating to employer engagement, business support and Knowledge Exchange in the context of the Careers and Employability effort and offer in and around Higher Education. The module explores opportunities and challenges for Careers and Employability professionals at the interface between the Educational and Knowledge Exchange missions of Higher Education institutions and the range of external relationships and partnerships which are essential to the endeavour. These are all considered in the light of relevant theories and models.

Teaching and Assessment

On this course you’ll have the opportunity to develop an understanding of critical reflection and how to employ independent learning strategies to enable you to evaluate and inform your professional practice. You’ll also develop and deepen your knowledge and understanding of educational research.

The distance learning course takes 12 months full-time and 24 months part-time to complete.

Our course offers a combination of teaching styles: lectures, tutorials, independent study and work-based learning. Assessment is continuous and varied and includes written assignments, presentations, and reports.

The course is assessed through coursework; there are no timed tests or exams. The assessment on the course allows you to demonstrate your practical knowledge and skills alongside developing your critical and theoretical understanding of the subject. The assessment builds on your particular interests and context and is likely to have outcomes that will be of benefit to your professional life and to your employer. You’ll be provided with guidance to help you develop your assignment work by module tutors and specialist learning support staff. For international students, we provide weekly academic study skills support workshop to help you get the most from the main modules.

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback is available after the publication of results.

Teaching excellence

Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).
We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

A degree or an equivalent professional qualification. Suitably experienced applicants without a degree will be considered.

In addition you must also have:

Relevant experience in a paid or voluntary basis.
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Complete a satisfactory interview.
International applicants must be available for interview in person or via Skype.

In order to successfully study this distance learning course, you must also have:

Access to a computer with a reliable internet connection.
The ability to access and use online study guidance and support.
Appropriate video and audio devices so that you can participate in webinar tutorials.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 with a minimum score of 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in any single component. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Why study with us?

Watch our short film to learn more about postgraduate Career Development and Employability at Huddersfield, from Chris Webb, Higher Education Career Consultant and alumnus of the course.

What our students say

"The course is challenging and academic, but it instantly changed how I went about my student interactions in my previous school. I was able to apply the theories and ideas from the course to real life very quickly, and I was able to see my students respond positively to these ideas. This has been really rewarding to see the personal and professional growth in such a short timeframe.

"I have recently returned to the UK from Hong Kong and my experience on the course and the skills I have developed have not only helped me to secure two job interviews but also to receive two jobs offers, one of which I have accepted, where I will be working with students at a UK University."

Aaron Hobday, Career Development and Employability MA

What our students say

"The flexibility is brilliant. It's meant that I don't need to live near to the institution to study here and it's given me the freedom to choose and attend the best Career Development course without being geographically restrained. I can easily log on at home or at work and attend live lessons, as well as log in at any time of my choosing to catch up on lessons and access learning materials and events.

"I find the course engaging and interesting. The material is varied, contemporary and the right balance of theory and practical activities. There is a good mix of guest speakers, slides, reading and active learning via breakout rooms and discussion."

Emma Lees, Career Development and Employability PGDip

Virtual Learning on Brightspace

Watch our short film to discover the fantastic range of features of Brightspace, our online workplace for distance learning students at the University of Huddersfield. Study online, from anywhere, any device.

Placements

A significant amount of your learning also takes place whilst on placement where you’ll gain the practical skills to successfully work with adults and young people in the wide range of settings in which careers guidance is practiced. These include workplaces, the voluntary sector, higher and further education careers services, secondary education and the National Careers Service.

For those students undertaking the Qualification on Career Development Tthe course involves a compulsory work placement consisting of a minimum of 30 days. Typically, students are able to experience a placement involving a guidance agency and also within an education organisation e.g. a school/academy, or within Further/Higher Education. The aim of the placement is that students should have a wide-ranging experience of information, advice and guidance provision and should be strongly involved in developing practical skills within the guidance sector.

Facilities

Study from the comfort of your home

Study anywhere, anytime

Access course content across a range of devices

Staff Profiles

Jodie Boyd

Meet Jodie Boyd, Course Leader for Career Development and Employability. In this video she discusses her experience of working in careers roles across schools, colleges and universities, and how she draws on this experience to ensure that students on the course can learn from real life examples of working within the profession.

Sue Edwards

Meet Sue Edwards, Senior Lecturer in Careers Guidance. In this video, she discusses how she supports students in gaining professional accreditation from the Career Development Institute through the course, and how she draws on her experience of working in careers to ensure that the course is grounded in the reality of the profession.

Dr Bob Gilworth

Meet Bob Gilworth, Senior Lecturer in Careers Guidance. In this video, he discusses his long and varied experience of working in careers, his research interests and how his network of contacts enables him to bring high calibre guest speakers to the course.

Professional links and accreditations

Successful completion of the course may allow you to gain the Qualification in Career Development (QCD) - the nationally recognised professional qualification awarded by the Career Development Institute (CDI) This accreditation is reviewed on a regular basis. In order to gain this qualification, you must complete the following module: Working with Individuals and Groups.

Career support

The skills developed on this course can be used in a variety of settings and graduates can expect to find employment in schools, colleges, universities and dedicated guidance . Graduates in recent years have also found employment in related areas such as voluntary and charitable agencies (e.g. mental health provision), training providers and the NHS.

Further study

Upon successful completion of your postgraduate studies, progression onto the following programmes may be of interest:

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Upon successful completion of your postgraduate studies, progression onto the following programmes may be of interest:

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Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you will find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies. Our Distance Learning Unit Team are at hand to make your online learning journey a positive, rewarding and successful one.

The Distance Learning Unit has specialist staff who are committed to ensuring that online teaching and learning material is accessible to all. We can recommend and provide training on assistive technologies and software which can support a range of learning styles and additional needs.

You will always have access to our online learning facilities and should you need any technical support whilst studying, there’s a 24-hour telephone line.

During each module, you will be able to rely on your module tutors to provide any academic support you need.

You will find that many of our support services and resources are available online, while other services are accessible during UK working hours. Find out more about support services including finance, careers, Library, IT and disability and wellbeing

Fees and Finance

The information provided below is for those applying to study at the University of Huddersfield in the academic year 2024/25. Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

Fees for courses starting in the academic year 2025/26 (e.g. from 1 September 2025) will be published in March 2025.

In 2024/25 the tuition fee for UK and international students on this course will be £4,600.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

Tuition fees will cover the cost of your study at the University. For more information about funding, fees and finance for Distance Learning students, including what your tuition fee covers, please see our Fees and Finance webpage.

Employers looking to enrol a number of learners may be eligible for a corporate discount. Contact dl-enquiry@hud.ac.uk for further information.

Please email the Distance Learning Unit for more information about fees and finance.

Fees for courses starting in the academic year 2025/26 (e.g. from 1 September 2025) will be published in March 2025.

In 2024/25 the tuition fee for UK and international students on this course will be £4,600.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

Employers looking to enrol a number of learners may be eligible for a corporate discount. Contact dl-enquiry@hud.ac.uk for further information.

Please email the Distance Learning Unit for more information about fees and finance.

Career Development Institute (CDI): In addition to the MA or PgDip you will also be working towards your professional qualification – The Qualification in Career Development (QCD). This is awarded by the CDI and is recognised nationally. There is an additional cost for this qualification which needs to be paid to the CDI directly. Your placements could be in Huddersfield or surrounding areas, so please consider any travelling costs you may incur.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required to enable you to undertake placements in settings with children. We arrange this as part of the application process. Please note that there may be a charge for the DBS check.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - full-time

Fees for courses starting in the academic year 2025/26 (e.g. from 1 September 2025) will be published in March 2025.

In 2024/25 the tuition fee for UK and international students on this course will be £4,600.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

Employers looking to enrol a number of learners may be eligible for a corporate discount. Contact dl-enquiry@hud.ac.uk for further information.

Please email the Distance Learning Unit for more information about fees and finance.

Tuition Fees - part-time

Fees for courses starting in the academic year 2025/26 (e.g. from 1 September 2025) will be published in March 2025.

In 2024/25 the tuition fee for UK and international students on this course will be £4,600.

Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

Employers looking to enrol a number of learners may be eligible for a corporate discount. Contact dl-enquiry@hud.ac.uk for further information.

Please email the Distance Learning Unit for more information about fees and finance.

Additional costs

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

Career Development and Employability MA (Distance Learning)

This online distance learning course is for those seeking a professional qualification in Career Guidance. It could lead to a wide variety of career opportunities in career guidance companies, education settings (secondary, further and higher education) and third sector organisations.

Find out more How to apply

Full-time

Postgraduate