Clinical Supervision

For many practitioners becoming a trained Clinical Supervisor is the next step in developing as a professional. Clinical Supervision involves combining your professional knowledge and experience, a range of relevant theory and practices, with awareness and intuition. You can further establish yourself and your credibility while maximising the numbers of people you can work with.

This is the only online postgraduate qualification of its kind in the UK – specially developed for professional practitioners who are providing, or are aiming to provide, clinical supervision to a range of different health professionals including counsellors, psychotherapists, nurses, psychologists or occupational therapists. It may also be of interest to those working in human services with a counselling role who supervise similarly qualified individuals. The course is completely online so it enables you to develop and consolidate your knowledge and skills in this very specific area alongside your current professional life.

Studying online gives you the flexibility to study at the most convenient time and place for you. Course modules still operate within a fixed trimester but you can choose to study during the day, in the evenings, or at the weekend rather than having to attend fixed lectures. You’ve got the control to be able to study when it suits you.

A high quality online clinical supervision course

This online Clinical Supervision Postgraduate Certificate course is Quality Checked by the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). This course alone is not a route to the Accredited Register nor does it fully equip a graduate to practice as a qualified counsellor.

The NCPS is a not for profit organisation whose primary purpose is the advancement of counselling and psychotherapy.

Online study and interaction – invaluable for this reflective course

As well as all the usual benefits that you get when you study online, such as the convenience of being able to work from anywhere, the Clinical Supervision course is particularly suited to online distance learning because it requires a great deal of flexibility, self-appraisal and reflection. This requires time, thought, and the synthesis of accessible theory and practice in different ways. On this course, if you think of an idea, issue or problem, you can post your thoughts (to your Personal Journal or to a Group Discussion Board) straight away. Whereas, in traditional class-based learning, such important moments can be lost.

In addition, this course attracts a range of practitioners from around the world, who work at many different levels, in different organisations. You all have one thing in common, a desire to facilitate others in their professional practice. This course offers you an invaluable opportunity to network and interact with such like-minded individuals in the pursuit of your own learning and growth.

Find out more about the course

Our academic for the online Clinical Supervision Postgraduate Certificate course, Robert Maxwell-Jones talks about the course.

If you work within a profession where the development of practitioners is seen as vital, then Clinical Supervision is one way in which this, and the quality of service provision, is ensured. You will study the relevant literature from your specific profession. During this course, you will:

• develop advanced supervisory skills you'll need to form and maintain supervisory relationships
• analyse a range of supervisory models and educational theory
• develop an advanced understanding of supervisory structures and processes
• develop a critical understanding of the different ways in which clinical supervision can be assessed and evaluated
• develop your ability to work systematically and to effectively manage influencing factors such as organisational, ethical, professional and legal influences
• reflect on and develop your supervision skills

In addition, an integral part of the process is that you will focus on your self-awareness through experiential learning processes and will also gain feedback on practice. You will develop your presence, impact and authority and will also have fun learning with other practitioners as motivated as yourself.

There is no requirement for you to engage in actual clinical supervision as part of the intention of the course is to develop these skills.

You can view the study plan for this online course.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Pace of study

We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester.

There will be 1/2 virtual classrooms over the 10 week trimester and if you are unable to attend you will be able to download the session to view in your own time.

Assessment method

This course is assessed through 100% coursework with a range of methods, such as essays, research reports, presentations, group work and practical reports.

Student support and guidance

Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:

• Library
• Health and Wellbeing Centre
• Careers and Employability Service
• IT Support
• Union of Students
• Develop@Derby for study, personal and employability skills

All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.

Get a taste of the course content

Our Clinical Supervision Postgraduate Certificate course taster will give you an idea of how online learning works. It includes a selection of content from a course module so you can see what some of our learning material looks like.

You will need to complete a short form to access the course taster.

This course aims to help experienced health and social care practitioners develop both personally and professionally. It is ideally suited if you wish to:

• Specialise in offering clinical supervision and a higher level of expertise within your clinical practice. This could be offered to groups or individuals within either the private or public sector
• Improve your employability as a clinical leader or manager

This course will provide you with the theoretical knowledge to offer clinical supervision to both existing professionals as well as students who are commencing their careers and require the guidance of suitably qualified and experienced clinical supervisors. It will, therefore, enhance your career within the profession as well as enable you to progress academically onto a doctoral level of study.

If you are seeking to gain accreditation as a supervisor with your professional body, this course offers a curriculum of clinical supervision that can be used as evidence of academic commitment to the development of your skills.

Progression routes

Progression from this programme can be into the Doctorate of Health and Social Care practice but graduates of this programme may also need to consider their CPD and therefore may access some of the CPD materials.

Utilise our Careers and Employment Service​

Whilst you are a student at the University of Derby, and for 3 years after you graduate, our Careers and Employment Service can assist you with job search advice, CV creation, workshops and events, as well as one-to-one appointments with employment advisers to help with career planning and interview preparation.

You'll need to:

• Be professionally qualified with a minimum of 12 months post qualification experience within a profession that has a basis within the counselling, psychotherapy or healthcare profession
• Have evidence of learning at level 6 or equivalent

If you can show you have undertaken learning that is equivalent to a module of the course, you may wish to claim credits for prior learning. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) can however only be claimed for a maximum of one module. 

You do not need to have a supervisee or supervisory practice experience to enrol onto this course.

English language qualifications

If English is not your first language, or you have not successfully completed your highest level of qualification in English, you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need at least one of the following:

• IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent)
• TOEFL 550 (paper based) 213 (computer based) or 80 (internet based)
• Pearson Test of Academic English: 66
• Cambridge Advanced Certificate: Pass
• London Tests of English: we accept level 5 for postgraduate courses
• International GCE O Level English Language: Grade C
• International GCSE English/English as a Second Language: Grade C

Find out more about our English language requirements

^‡2024/25 for new entrants

Starting between September 2024 and August 2025.

2025/26 for new entrants

Starting between September 2025 and August 2026.

About your fees

This figure would be the total cost of this course based on the fee in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.

If you are required to undertake any associate study or additional study as a condition of your offer for the programme, please be aware that the cost for this may be in addition to the programme cost stated above.

Flexible payment plans available

Choose from two payment plan options:

• Pay monthly and only for the modules you are studying

• Pay your full course fees upfront and avoid annual increases

Apply directly to the University.

Apply now

For support with completing your application, view our guide to the application process.

Documents to support your application

In order for your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:

• Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
• Current CV
• Written reference supplied on headed paper from either a manager, supervisor, tutor or teacher
• Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*

*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:

• Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• The date of the translation
• The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
• The translator’s contact details

A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Government website.

Please note: failure to submit any documentation when requested, may result in your application being withdrawn.

Application deadlines

All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts. Take a look at information regarding applying for an online course to see full details of deadlines and term dates.

Other courses you might like

• Leading Interprofessional Practice Education Postgraduate Certificate
• Clinical Decision Making
• Leading Clinical Practice

Contact us

Contact the University of Derby Online Learning: