Coaching and Mentoring PGCert: Level 7

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Course Summary

The postgraduate course in Coaching and Mentoring in education aims to develop highly skilled, reflective practitioners who will become leaders in mentoring and coaching within educational contexts. Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge, critical awareness, and practical skills needed to foster professional growth, improve teaching practices, and drive continuous improvement. The course also seeks to cultivate professionals who can critically appraise research, apply models of coaching and mentoring, and lead meaningful dialogues that enhance professional development in schools, colleges, and other educational environments.

More specifically, the course includes the following:

  1. Research-Informed Curriculum: The course integrates the latest research on mentoring and coaching, and ensures that graduates are up to date with the most relevant and impactful practices in the field. The course emphasises critical engagement with research, enabling you to not only apply but also challenge and contribute to current thinking.

  2. Focus on Reflective Practice: The course places a strong emphasis on developing critically reflective practitioners. Students will also be able to facilitate reflective dialogue that leads to sustained professional growth.

  3. Leadership Development: This course specifically prepares you for leadership roles in mentoring and coaching. It includes a critical appraisal of the Lead Coach/Mentor role and focuses on planning and delivering effective training sessions.

  4. Practical Application in Education: Grounded in real-world educational settings, the course provides practical, hands-on experience in coaching and mentoring. You will learn to design and implement training sessions that meet the unique needs of educators.

  5. Tailored to Professional Development: The course is designed to address the specific challenges of professional development within education. It will help you build the skills needed to support teachers' career progression, improve teaching quality, and enhance pupil outcomes.

Why You'll Love It

Learning from each other

Throughout your course, we will offer you many opportunities to work in groups, whereby you will share ideas and benefit from the experience that your peers bring into the classroom.

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Practical application of theory

You will engage with recent and relevant research to inform and develop your mentoring and coaching practice.

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Lead mentor training

You will gain a qualification that enables you to work as a lead mentor in schools.

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What You'll Study

The PGCert in Coaching and Mentoring integrates research and practical application, and prepares graduates to play a vital role in educational settings. As such, you will complete a series of modules designed to develop your understanding of coaching and mentoring. These include modules on the principles and practices of coaching and mentoring, developing knowledge through practice, and coordinating coaching and mentoring at an organisational level.

MODULES

  • An Introduction to the Skills, Principles and Practices of Effective Coaching and Mentoring (20 Credits) Core: This module provides an in-depth exploration of the principles, skills, and practices central to effective coaching and mentoring, particularly within educational settings. You will develop a critical understanding of key theories and models and gain practical experience to refine the skills of a reflective coaching and mentoring practitioner.

  • Developing knowledge, skills, and expertise through effective dialogue (20 Credits) Core: This module focuses on advancing knowledge, skills, and professional expertise through effective mentor and coaching dialogues. You will explore research on dialogue-based professional development, critically analysing the skills needed to foster impactful conversations that enhance learning and growth. The module also examines the strategic role of mentors and coaches in planning and delivering tailored support, linking shared practical experiences to established theories.

  • Co-ordinating Mentoring and Coaching Programmes (20 Credits) Core: This module equips you with the skills and insights necessary to effectively coordinate mentoring and coaching initiatives within professional settings. Through an exploration of current research and reflective practices, you will examine the strategic responsibilities of Lead Coaches and Mentors in designing and delivering impactful training sessions. By the end of the module, you will have developed a comprehensive understanding of professional development programmes that are tailored to the specific needs of coaching and mentoring practitioners.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

PG Cert Coaching and Mentoring - University of Chester

PG Cert Coaching and Mentoring - University of Chester

Who You'll Learn From

Dr Luke Jones

Senior Lecturer
Dr Luke Jones

Jo Williams

Senior Lecturer
Jo Williams

Mary-anne Mccarthy

Senior Lecturer
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Ann-marie Argyropulo-palmer

Senior Lecturer
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How You'll Learn

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The course will usually be taught over three sessions each term

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Assessments include written assignments (essays, literature reviews, critical commentaries), formative presentations, and portfolios

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This course is designed around online study

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You will be taught through a blend of lectures, interactive seminars, tutorials and self-study

Teaching

Taught sessions emphasise active participation, critical discussion, and real-world learning.

Assessment Methods

The course assessments are designed to integrate theoretical insights with practical experiences. You will be assessed through:

  • written assignments, such as literature reviews and reflective commentaries
  • portfolios containing evidence from real-life mentoring or coaching activities, coupled with critical analysis.

These assessments ensure a comprehensive evaluation of your ability to apply theory, engage in reflective practice, and demonstrate leadership capabilities.

Study Time

The course requires a commitment to both scheduled learning and self-study.

  • Scheduled Learning: You will typically have 18 formal contact hours per module through lectures, seminars, and tutorials to explore and discuss core topics.
  • Self-Study: A significant portion of the course involves independent learning, including reading academic research, completing reflective journals, and preparing assessments.

Entry Requirements

2:2honours degree

Applicants will work in a range of work environments. The minimum entry requirement is usually a 2:2 honours degree plus relevant experience. Candidates without these qualifications will be invited to attend an interview to ensure their suitability for the course.

2:2 honours degree

Applicants will work in a range of work environments. The minimum entry requirement is usually a 2:2 honours degree plus relevant experience. Candidates without these qualifications will be invited to attend an interview to ensure their suitability for the course.

English Language Requirements

For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

Fees and Funding

£2,925full course (2025/26)

Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page. Here you will also find information about part-time fees and project/placement year fees.

£15,000for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £15,000.

Please note: For MSc programmes where a placement or project year is undertaken there will be an additional charge of £2,750 for the placement/project year (due at the start of the second year of the course).

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. 

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees and Finance section of our website.

Your Future Career

Job Prospects 

Graduates of the PGCert in Coaching and Mentoring will be well-equipped to pursue a variety of advanced roles in the education sector, with a particular focus on leadership, professional development, and instructional support:

  1. Lead Mentor or Lead Coach

Graduates will be qualified to take on leadership roles in mentoring and coaching within educational institutions, where they can guide the professional growth of teachers, promote reflective practice, and foster continuous improvement in teaching and learning.

  1. Educational Leadership Roles

With the ability to design and deliver effective professional development programmes, graduates can advance into senior leadership roles such as Head of Professional Development, Director of Learning, or Senior Leader. These roles involve overseeing the development and implementation of coaching and mentoring strategies that enhance educational outcomes and staff performance.

  1. Consultant or Trainer in Mentoring and Coaching

Graduates will be prepared to work as independent consultants or trainers, providing expert guidance on the development and delivery of mentoring and coaching programmes in schools, universities, or education-focused organisations.

  1. Higher Education and Research

Graduates with an interest in research and academia may progress to roles as lecturers, researchers, or programme developers within universities or teacher training institutions.

  1. Specialist Roles in Educational Support

Graduates will be suited for positions such as Education Adviser or Teaching and Learning Specialist, where they can provide targeted support to educators.

You will be signposted to careers support – to discuss these and other options.

Progression Options

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extracurricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

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