Psychological Trauma PGCert

Psychological Trauma PGCert Information Events
There are a number of upcoming events for this course, where you can join us online to learn more. They cover the course in detail, alongside other postgraduate options (our DProf Psychological Trauma and our PGCert Mental Health, Trauma and Attachment courses). Here you can meet academics and have all your questions answered.
You are viewing Course summary
Course Summary
This course will equip all professionals working in the trauma field with up-to-date knowledge and critical skills.
An understanding of the needs, and what can be identified as best practice in terms of working with traumatised individuals, can vastly improve a person’s engagement and recovery. The underlying philosophy behind the course is an inclusive holistic view of trauma, focusing on the contributions of neurological, psychological and sociological views of psychological trauma throughout.
The course allows you to gain a number of transferable skills, whilst encouraging you to explore a number of theoretical concepts, and your application to psychological trauma in the real setting.
The course is designed to:
- Provide an online intellectual setting within which you can develop an understanding of the appropriate response to psychological trauma, and improve your analytical skills
- Critically examine current research related to post-traumatic stress, post-traumatic stress disorder and dissociation
- Explore the range of therapeutic approaches to working with psychological trauma, and current understanding of the effectiveness of these approaches
- Develop skills in managing traumatic incidents and intervening organisations
- Examine the models of managing traumatic incidents and the different contexts in which these might apply.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Psychological Trauma aims to enhance your critical knowledge and skills in understanding how to work with those who have experienced psychological trauma.
What You'll Study
This programme of study is undertaken on a part-time basis over one year. Delivery takes the form of online interactive sessions, group discussions, experiential exercises, case presentations and simulations. Modules are delivered in blocks.
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.
You’ll benefit from the convenience and flexibility of learning online, experiencing live online (synchronous) teaching and learning, as well as asynchronous and self-directed study. Synchronous online teaching will be from 9am to 6pm (UK time), which will require both a stable internet connection and a private setting. Sessions are not recorded, so attendance to all teaching days is highly recommended. The induction day will introduce you to the University's systems and the different resources (library, Study Skills, etc.), and you’ll meet fellow learners and tutors. There are four days of live teaching per module. You will be provided with resources, links and tasks.
Assessment tasks will frequently require you to consider how theory and evidence are applicable to real-world examples. These may be scenario-based, reflective, or more discursive. You will have opportunities to engage in formative assessment opportunities which build understanding, knowledge and awareness (but do not contribute to a module mark) in preparation of summative assessment tasks (those which do contribute to the overall module mark). There are two marked assignments per module, which means six overall. Deadlines are 3 weeks (assignment 1) and 8 weeks (assignment 2) after the last day of each module.
Entry Requirements
2:1 honours degree
A good honours degree (ideally a 2:1 in a related discipline).
Applicants with a lower honours degree may be considered in the light of their professional experience/development.
Relevant experience of working in the field of Psychological Trauma.
The application process includes an interview.
2:1 honours degree
A good honours degree (ideally a 2:1 in any related discipline) or equivalent, and relevant experience of working in the field of Psychological Trauma.
The application process may include an interview.
Applicants with a lower honours degree may be considered in the light of their professional experience/development (e.g., CPD, accreditations, other diplomas, etc.).
For international applicants (studying from outside the UK), do not hesitate to contact us for further information/guidance.
English Language Requirements
For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.
Fees and Funding
£2,925for the full 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.
TBC
Fees for International/EU Students studying this course in 2025/26 will be confirmed shortly.
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
As a graduate, you may be suited to work in the area of disaster planning, or in careers where psychological trauma is a major component. This can include roles involved in occupational/professional health and wellbeing, as well as specialist areas of social work and nursing, the emergency services, rescue and support work in disaster areas, and in the military.
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 .