Coaching and Mentoring PGCert: Level 7

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Course Summary

Coaching and mentoring play an important role in supporting and developing participants in all aspects of their everyday working lives in schools. The Postgraduate Certificate is designed to provide individuals working in a wide range of educational working environments with the opportunity to investigate and develop/enhance their coaching and mentoring skills.

Our course combines both the theoretical and practical aspects of coaching and mentoring in educational settings. The course offers a stimulating yet enjoyable approach to coaching and mentoring, regardless of your previous knowledge. Delivery will be by practitioners who are using these approaches in their daily work.

If you engage in the course you will:

  • develop your critical thinking skills and become a reflective practitioner
  • be able to articulate informed opinions with confidence
  • become aware of theoretical frameworks and current political agendas
  • become confident in the use of coaching and mentoring strategies.

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'llStudy

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 how to coordinate coaching and mentoring at organisational level.

Module content:

  1. Reviewing models of critical reflection;
  2. Investigating the role of the mentor/coach;
  3. Analysing the difference between coaching and mentoring within the workplace to facilitate appropriate interventions;
  4. Effectively utilising coaching and mentoring practice to benefit the performance of individuals and organisations;
  5. Reflecting upon the personal and professional impact of coaching and mentoring.

Module aims:

 Module aims

  1. Critically appraise the role of the coaching and mentoring in co-ordinating and managing expertise within the professional context;
  2. Equip mentors/coaches with the skills to benefit the performance of individuals and organisations;
  3. Review research relevant to mentors/coaches working with other professionals to benefit individuals and organisations;
  4. Enable mentors/coaches to develop an understanding of models of coaching and mentoring in order to enhance own mentor/coach practice.

Module content:

  1. Reviewing models of critical reflection;
  2. Investigating the role of the mentor/coach;
  3. Analysing the difference between coaching and mentoring within the workplace to facilitate appropriate interventions;
  4. Effectively utilising coaching and mentoring practice to benefit the performance of individuals and organisations;
  5. Reflecting upon the personal and professional impact of coaching and mentoring.

Module aims:

 Module aims

  1. Critically appraise the role of the coaching and mentoring in co-ordinating and managing expertise within the professional context;
  2. Equip mentors/coaches with the skills to benefit the performance of individuals and organisations;
  3. Review research relevant to mentors/coaches working with other professionals to benefit individuals and organisations;
  4. Enable mentors/coaches to develop an understanding of models of coaching and mentoring in order to enhance own mentor/coach practice.

Module content:

Please note this module is for participants who already undertake a management role or for those who are aspiring to do so.

  1. Develop and support a mentoring/coaching culture within the professional context;
  2. Review models of critical reflection;
  3. Examine the potential of a coaching and mentoring programme;
  4. Investigate how to use effective communication skills to promote good coaching and mentoring skills in other coaches and mentors;
  5. Learn how to promote in others the ability to use effective questioning and listening skills to mentor or coach;
  6. Plan, prepare and support delivery of a short coaching or mentoring programme within an appropriate context;
  7. Understand how to evaluate mentoring/coaching programmes;
  8. Reflect upon the personal and professional impact of coaching and or mentoring and how this can contribute to the progression of individuals and organisations;
  9. Monitor and support the ability of other’s to build effective working relationships;
  10. Audit own and other’s training needs and develop action plans for further development of mentoring/coaching practice;

Module aims:

This module aims to:

  1. Critically appraise the role of the mentor/coach in co-ordinating and managing the expertise of other mentors/coaches within the work place;
  2. Review research relevant to mentors/coaches working with professionals in the workplace;
  3. Equip Lead mentors/coaches with the skills to design and deliver an effective professional programme;
  4. Facilitate monitoring and training skills in order to enhance own professional practice;
  5. Refine the mentor/coach’s management skills;
  6. Encourage mentors/coaches to engage in review and peer support within a professional context;
  7. Establish quality assurance practice through a yearly audit of own and other mentor/coaches' training needs;
  8. Evaluate the impact of mentoring/coaching within the professional context in order to improve existing practice.

Module content:

Please note this module is for participants who already undertake a management role or for those who are aspiring to do so.

  1. Develop and support a mentoring/coaching culture within the professional context;
  2. Review models of critical reflection;
  3. Examine the potential of a coaching and mentoring programme;
  4. Investigate how to use effective communication skills to promote good coaching and mentoring skills in other coaches and mentors;
  5. Learn how to promote in others the ability to use effective questioning and listening skills to mentor or coach;
  6. Plan, prepare and support delivery of a short coaching or mentoring programme within an appropriate context;
  7. Understand how to evaluate mentoring/coaching programmes;
  8. Reflect upon the personal and professional impact of coaching and or mentoring and how this can contribute to the progression of individuals and organisations;
  9. Monitor and support the ability of other’s to build effective working relationships;
  10. Audit own and other’s training needs and develop action plans for further development of mentoring/coaching practice;

Module aims:

This module aims to:

  1. Critically appraise the role of the mentor/coach in co-ordinating and managing the expertise of other mentors/coaches within the work place;
  2. Review research relevant to mentors/coaches working with professionals in the workplace;
  3. Equip Lead mentors/coaches with the skills to design and deliver an effective professional programme;
  4. Facilitate monitoring and training skills in order to enhance own professional practice;
  5. Refine the mentor/coach’s management skills;
  6. Encourage mentors/coaches to engage in review and peer support within a professional context;
  7. Establish quality assurance practice through a yearly audit of own and other mentor/coaches' training needs;
  8. Evaluate the impact of mentoring/coaching within the professional context in order to improve existing practice.

Module content:

  1. Undertaking a study of research evidence and literature associated with coaching and mentoring;
  2. Practising and Reflecting on methods of dialogue to facilitate development;
  3. Planning for and engaging in a shared and varied dialogical programme of strategies;
  4. Critically review the elements required for effective and integrated coaching and mentoring. 
  5. Exploring the current policy discourse around coaching and mentoring and its impact on the training curriculum.

Module aims:

This module aims to:  

  1. Reflect upon and evaluate mentoring practice;
  2. Explore interpersonal relationships and communication skills in the coaching and mentoring dynamic;
  3. Analyse the design of the training curriculum and the associated policies and research;
  4. Link theory to practice in evaluating work based coaching and mentoring;
  5. Analyse and reflect upon the implications for future practice;
  6. Communicate stages of research in a coherent critical commentary.

Module content:

  1. Undertaking a study of research evidence and literature associated with coaching and mentoring;
  2. Practising and Reflecting on methods of dialogue to facilitate development;
  3. Planning for and engaging in a shared and varied dialogical programme of strategies;
  4. Critically review the elements required for effective and integrated coaching and mentoring. 
  5. Exploring the current policy discourse around coaching and mentoring and its impact on the training curriculum.

Module aims:

This module aims to:  

  1. Reflect upon and evaluate mentoring practice;
  2. Explore interpersonal relationships and communication skills in the coaching and mentoring dynamic;
  3. Analyse the design of the training curriculum and the associated policies and research;
  4. Link theory to practice in evaluating work based coaching and mentoring;
  5. Analyse and reflect upon the implications for future practice;
  6. Communicate stages of research in a coherent critical commentary.
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

How you'll Learn

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The course will usually be taught three times each term

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Assessments include essays, critical commentaries, academic posters, and research-based projects

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This course is designed around online and in-person study

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There may be some online learning activities

You will also benefit from working with experienced tutors with practical experience in a range of educational, professional and community settings. Further support is identified and given through on-demand personal tutorials with the Programme Leader and other staff as appropriate, with group seminars used extensively to promote a sense of learning from, and support of each other’s practice in, whatever field the participants are involved in.

Our module assessments are designed to focus on your own professional practice and development and include portfolios of your own learning. For each module there are 18 contact hours and 182 hours of independent study, i.e., 200 hours per module in total. Students are taught one Friday evening 5.30-7.30pm and two Saturdays 9.30am-4.30pm.

Entry Requirements

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.

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

£2,925 per year (2025/26)

Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses in the academic year 2025/26 are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page.

£15,000 per year (2025/26)

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

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.

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills.

 

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 & Finance section of our website.

Your Future Career

Job Prospects 

Graduates from our courses work in many different educational settings including Early Years and FE/HE.  Several have successfully used the course to 'get back into teaching' in schools.  Others now work in advisory capacities in Local Education Authorities or are self employed providing services to educational institutions or individuals on a private basis.

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, extra-curricular 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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