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Introduction
Why choose this course?
Overview
Expand your theoretical knowledge and develop the skills and approaches needed to grow as a professional coach or mentor with our MA in Coaching and Mentoring Practice.
The course is delivered by our world-class International Centre for Coaching and Mentoring Studies. which promotes cutting-edge research and teaching. You will:
 integrate your work and life experiences with the theoretical concepts underpinning coaching and mentoring
 expand your knowledge of theories
 apply your knowledge to a variety of working contexts with the support of a unique blend of tutor input and individual coach-supervisor support.
You could be new to coaching and mentoring or an established coach or mentor. This course is aimed at:
 internal or external coaches
 consultants
 mentor co-ordinators
 coaching psychologists
 counsellors
 managers
 human resources development staff
 leadership professionals from the voluntary, public and private sectors.
It's not always necessary to have a degree if you can show you have an appropriate level of experience.
Modules
Compulsory modules
Coaching and Mentoring Practice Fundamentals (20 credits)
In addition to familiarising you with fundamental principles, skills and theories, this module provides you with vital experience of acting as a mentor/coach and of being professionally supervised by a professional coach supervisor. You therefore draw on the expertise of internationally recognised coaching and mentoring experts, your own experience and a wide literature. Over a period of five months, you apply coaching and mentoring methods and techniques. With feedback from supervisors and volunteer clients and systematic reflection you can identify areas for personal and organisational growth.
Transformational Learning and Adult Development (20 credits)
You examine a number of transformational and adult learning theories and concepts and how they apply to coaching and mentoring. You are encouraged to think critically and increase your awareness of issues in adult learning and development.
Psychotherapeutic Dimensions of Coaching and Mentoring: (20 credits)
You will focus on how important approaches in psychotherapy and counselling can impact coaching and mentoring. These include: psychodynamic, humanistic and cognitive behavioural. We explore the philosophy and theory of the different schools within these orientations and their different techniques and models. You consider boundaries and ethical issues and draw your own opinion on how these ideas have been applied. This will help enable you identify and build your own approach.
Advanced Coaching and Mentoring Practice (20 credits)
On this compulsory module you explore a more challenging level of professional practice. In-depth workshops develop the practice of the reflective, evidence-based professional practitioner. You will continue to develop your coaching and mentoring practice and receive one-to-one supervision throughout this module.
Psychology of Coaching and Mentoring (20 credits)
The module promotes an advanced understanding of coaching and mentoring based on the research and theories developed in branches of psychology. The module explores insights and ideas from evolutionary psychology, psychobiology, neuroscience, social and discursive psychology with implications for individual change and development. These ideas are discussed with explicit links to coaching and mentoring practice focusing on the needs/intentions of the individual during the coaching and mentoring process. Students develop an understanding of a range of perspectives which contribute to their style of coaching and promote reflexivity on their sense of self and own personal and professional development. The module encourages critical enquiry and reflection, professional knowledge and expertise. There is an emphasis on critical and independent thought, participatory learning, engagement with the peer reviewed literature and participation in contemporary debates in coaching and mentoring.
Coaching and Mentoring in Organisations (20 credits)
In this module you explore the processes and issues involved in setting up a formal coaching and mentoring scheme within an organisational setting. In particular, you examine a range of organisational dynamics and crucial factors for implementing a successful scheme. You will need to arrange access to stakeholders of a scheme in an organisation well in advance as your assignment will normally be based around a real case-study. The assignment will be to evaluate an existing scheme, or assess the organisation’s readiness for the new scheme.
Research in Coaching and Mentoring (compulsory for students completing the full MA)
This module will help you develop your knowledge of a range of research approaches, methods and techniques appropriate to the study of coaching and mentoring. You will develop skills in evaluating research carried out and reported by others, looking at the ‘evidence-base’ for coaching and mentoring professional practice.
Optional modules
Independent Study (may be work-based or theoretical)
It is possible to select a relevant topic for an independent study. This is carried out under the supervision of a tutor and may constitute a review of a particular topic, empirical or conceptual research. This module may be followed in place of one of the PG Diploma stage optional modules.
Final Project
Compulsory modules
Dissertation (60 credits)
You complete a piece of investigative or literature-cased research and this comprises sixty credits of your degree. You prepare you dissertation proposal in the first semester of the second year and you work on your dissertation during semester two and three. You will build on your learning throughout the course and you are supported through six methodology workshops, a buddy system and academic supervision.
Learning and teaching
If you choose the on-campus blended mode of study, you’ll learn at the Headington campus. Your learning will combine whole-day intensive sessions, plus online and independent learning. On-campus sessions are on intermittent Saturdays, supported by regular online seminars which you complete in your own time.
If you choose to do the course via fully distance learning, you’ll learn via interactive and high-quality online resources. And you’ll participate in live online seminars on intermittent Friday afternoons.
Your learning will be a mix of learning activities which will emphasise interactive discussions, class exercises and the use of slides and other materials. Each module builds upon the last, helping you to deepen your practice. You’ll be closely supported by your tutors as you build your research skills and deepen your capacity to be a reflective practitioner. You could also apply to take the Professional Doctorate in Coaching and Mentoring upon successful completion of the MA.
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
A minimum of a second-class honours degree (2:2) in any academic discipline, or equivalent overseas degree from a recognised institution or equivalent professional or other qualification, and at least two year’s relevant professional experience.
Exceptionally, applicants who can show that they have qualifications or experience or both that demonstrate that they have alternative knowledge and capabilities equivalent to those possessed by holders of the qualifications listed above, may be admitted with dispensation from the requirement to possess those qualifications.
Entry will also be subject to two satisfactory references.
Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:
 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you will need to satisfy the university's English language requirements:
 IELTS minimum level 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing, and 5.5 in listening and speaking) or equivalent
 If you have completed your undergraduate degree in the UK (at least one full year of study) you will automatically meet our English language requirements
If English is not your first language then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.
The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.
The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:
Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Learning and assessment
This part-time course can be studied either as a blended on campus/online programme, or via Distance Learning. It consists of seven modules of study amounting to 180 credits studied over a two-year period.
You will study three stages:
 the postgraduate certificate stage which consists of three 20-credit modules
 the postgraduate diploma stage has three further 20-credit modules
 the master's dissertation has a full 60 credits.
You can choose to finish your studies at the end of the postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma stage and graduate with that award.
Assessment
You will be assessed on a variety of coursework assignments and a dissertation. There are no exams.
Research
The master's programme is taught through the International Centre for Coaching and Mentoring Studies. At the forefront of coaching and mentoring research, the Centre’s academic team consists of leading educators and researchers in the field.
Our journal, annual conferences and professional network OBCAMS (the Oxford Brookes Coaching and Mentoring Society) offer excellent opportunities to students, academics and practitioners for the dissemination and sharing of research and ideas.
Our Research areas include:
 philosophical underpinnings of coaching
 developmental, leadership and team coaching
 resilience
 embodiment
 transfer of learning
 the coaching relationship
 ethics
 managing mentoring schemes.
Teaching staff have research interests and expertise in coaching and mentoring, and related fields. Visiting speakers from business and industry provide further input.
You can attend events from the Oxford Brookes Coaching and Mentoring Society (OBCAMS), which meets monthly. It attracts outside speakers and presenters from all areas of coaching and mentoring.
Career Opportunities
Oxford Brookes University Business School is the UK's leading provider of master's-level education in coaching and mentoring practice. We seek to help you to develop yourself as a coach or mentor and to demonstrate your coaching credibility and expertise. Anyone looking to establish a reputation and build a career in coaching and mentoring will benefit from one of our part-time postgraduate level qualifications.
Graduates of this course find that their employment opportunities are enhanced or that their business increases as a result of their greater depth of understanding of the field and the variety of new networks and contacts formed during the course.
If you are passionate about research and want to take your professional expertise to the next level, following your MA you can extend your study to its highest level by completing our Doctor of Coaching and Mentoring Programme.
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