Postgraduate Diploma In Mentoring (fully online)
Refine your mentoring expertise in Education with our Postgraduate Diploma in Mentoring. Designed to further your career in mentoring roles.
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About the course
Mentoring in Education has been the subject of debate for many years, and recent developments in schools, universities and teacher training in general have emphasised the importance of examining what makes an effective mentor.
Since September 2024 all schools are required to have trained Mentors to monitor teacher trainees in schools. Whilst ITTECF process cover mentoring, this course delves much more comprehensively into the thought processes and critical thinking needed to make an excellent mentor.
The course is ideal for those currently in mentoring roles as the practical needs of mentoring in education are covered, alongside a wide range of scholarship on this topic.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Mentoring is delivered across four modules. The first provides you with an introduction to a range of theories relating to mentoring in education. The second module expands on the initial learning and explores the application of theory to practice, and in particular how that works in your own context. The third module recognises the practical nature of mentoring, and this work enables you to have an opportunity to reflect on and develop the skills that can help to develop you as an effective mentor. The final module looks at the Wider Context of Mentoring.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Mentoring is suitable for:
- Teachers in the UK and internationally
- Current mentors on ITT programmes
- Mentors in SCITTs
- Anyone mentoring in an education setting
Course highlights
- You will be working with Coaching and Mentoring specialists
- There are opportunities for application within your own setting
- Join discussion-based sessions, with the opportunity to network with colleagues in other schools.
Course breakdown
The first two modules run from January, with the second assessment submission at the beginning of the following September.
The first module runs from January to April, and module two runs from after Easter until July, with time to write up assignments for submission at the start of September. Module three starts in August with guided reading, and is followed by the final module on the Wider Impact of Mentoring, which runs until December.
There are induction sessions to introduce you to how the course will run, and upon application you will receive a choice of dates where you will indicate when you will attend.
View course modules
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Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
When the course starts, you will have access to MOODLE, the University’s online learning platform. You will then access the course handbook, and all resources required for successful completion of the course. In the handbook there is a week-by-week guide which indicates what work is expected that week.
Every student is allocated a supervisor. You will regularly communicate with your supervisor to support each modules. These sessions will be at times that are suitable for you both, and will be via platforms such as Teams, Zoom and email, You will also have access to regular online study sessions throughout the course.
Each week you will receive the course content via one of the following methods:
- A recorded film to watch
- A reading
- An independent study towards a module
- Guided independent reading
- A Twilight session.
The twilight sessions are recorded and shared on Moodle. Once complete. These twilights are optional in terms of attendance as we know that many students can struggle with availability. However, all sessions are recorded and can be watched after the live event. This means that as you progress through the course you end up having access to a library of videos that you can re-visit, to support you to a successful outcome.
Assessment methods
You are expected to engage with the course materials, which will enable you to complete two assignments.
Each module is assessed by a 3000-word essay.
After your course
After completing the Postgraduate Diploma, you will have the option to continue by completing a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation to turn your Diploma into a MA in Education (Mentoring).
Upon completion of your Diploma, you can put what you have studied, researched and learnt into practice in your own educational setting.
Here are just some of the career opportunities and skills that can stem from studying on this course:
Career opportunities
- Pursuing mentoring roles
- Scope to seek specialist roles relating to your research
- Continued research on your area of interest
- Sharing your research with others through conferences and writing.
Career skills
- Mentoring and Coaching skills
- Developing your communication skills
- Ability to plan and complete a project
- Perseverance
- Resilience.
“The course has been a real eye opener. At first, I was worried. I hadn’t written essays for about seven years and had quite a bit of help that time round. However, throughout the course, there has never been a question to silly and all the lecturers have been more than happy to provide their time, above and beyond their allocation. The essay clinics were a great help and strangely enjoyable.” – Mr Craig Nevard, Head of D and T, Wycombe High School
Entry requirements
- UK degree (2.2 or above). For equivalent qualifications, contact education@buckingham.ac.uk to confirm that your qualification meets the University entry requirements.
- Working as a mentor in an educational context.
Course fees
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | 1st Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 | |
Month Year Full-time (2 Years) | UK | £00,000 | £00,000 |
| INT | £00,000 | £00,000 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
Fees will have a 50% reduction if you are a mentor on one of our ITT courses.
Applicants must also pay a £300 non-refundable Registration Fee.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We have bursaries and scholarships available for both home and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and these are awarded based on location, merit or financial need.
Funded scholarships and bursaries may be awarded across all schools of study, and represent a partial remission from tuition fees. Bursaries are means-tested and are intended for those who need a contribution towards their fees in order to study at Buckingham.
Students applying for this course may be eligible for the following:
View all scholarships and bursaries.
How to apply
Apply direct
You can apply online from this page as the most flexible option.
Need help?
Contact the Faculty of Education on +44 (0)1280 820222 or email: education@buckingham.ac.uk
Some courses are limited in terms of numbers and we operate a first-come-first-served system. Applications can take at least 6 weeks to process. Please consider school holiday closures and ensure applications are submitted in good time to avoid disappointment.
Please click the ‘Apply Now’ button to view the application deadline and start your application.