About the Course

Introduction
Description
Accreditation and Careers
Fees 2026-27
Entry Requirements
How You Study

Available Study Modes

Course Description

Introduction
Description
Accreditation and Careers
Fees 2026-27
Entry Requirements
How You Study

Introduction

NSPC leads the way in the growing field of existential coaching. Our school launched the first MA in Existential Coaching in 2010, and our blended learning format lets you study theory online from home and attend in-person skills sessions at our NW London campus.

Existential coaching takes a philosophical and relational approach to help clients face life's challenges and move forward authentically. We teach coaches to use ideas from existential philosophy and work holistically with each client. Existential coaches help clients explore meaning, authenticity, freedom, choice and responsibility in their lives.

The MSc is blended, so you can fit your studies around work and family. Students join from around the world and learn from each other's experience. Demand for this depth of coaching is growing: as AI tools take over quick practical advice, clients value human coaches most for conversations about meaning, values and hard decisions.

Who the course is for

The PGCert assumes no prior coaching experience, and students join from many backgrounds. The course suits:

coaches who want psychological depth and a postgraduate qualification
HR and talent professionals
learning and development specialists
managers and leaders who coach their teams
psychologists, therapists and counsellors adding coaching to their practice
career changers who want a rigorous first qualification in professional coaching
coaches who work with neurodivergent clients

Students often choose to move on to the MSc in Existential Coaching.

Course Description

Theory, skills practice and self-development run side by side throughout the programme. You learn to work safely with emotions and mental health in the coaching relationship and to recognise boundaries of practice. You will look beyond standard coaching tools and work with the whole person.

You start from the basics. Over three skills workshops you move from core skills such as empathic listening, to the evidence base of coaching, to the methods of phenomenological-existential coaching. Online, you study theories of personal change and existential philosophy. A fourth workshop, Advanced Existential Coaching and Existential Leadership, applies existential ideas to leadership and executive coaching.

If you start in January 2027, you attend your four face-to-face workshops on these dates:

Skills in Existential Coaching 1: Monday 15 to Friday 19 February 2027
Skills in Existential Coaching 2: Monday 17 to Friday 21 May 2027
Skills in Existential Coaching 3: Monday 13 to Friday 17 September 2027
Advanced Existential Coaching and Existential Leadership: Monday 6 to Friday 10 December 2027 or Monday 4 to Friday 8 December 2028

If too few students enrol, NSPC may reschedule or cancel a workshop or module. We will tell you as soon as we can and discuss alternatives with you. Please book only refundable travel until you receive your termly course plan. This notice does not affect your statutory rights. Full terms and conditions come with your offer.

We design every module with neurodiversity in mind and support you in developing as a neuro-inclusive practitioner. We welcome applications from neurodivergent students, as well as students with a disability or chronic health condition. To discuss learning adaptations, contact [email protected]. If you’ve already studied Level 7 modules and achieved the intended learning outcomes, we can discuss how to apply for credit for prior learning at your interview.

Your Course Leader is Xenia Angevin CPsychol ([email protected]), a chartered psychologist, BPS-registered coaching psychologist, experienced existential coach and supervisor (RAPPS BPS / EMCC /ICF Mentor-in-training). Xenia is also an editor of the International Coaching Psychology Review. She works closely with you as you develop your coaching practice, alongside well-known practitioners in this field.

This course follows the Middlesex Research Degree Regulations available here: https://www.mdx.ac.uk/about-us/policies/

For further information on possible learning adaptions we can offer neurodivergent students and students with a disability or chronic health condition, contact [email protected]

This course follows the Middlesex Research Degree Regulations available here: https://www.mdx.ac.uk/about-us/policies/

Application closing date guidance:

We encourage you to apply for this online postgraduate course as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed; we may also need to request further information from you during the application process.

If you wish to start the programme in January 2027:

Please apply by 1 November 2026 (23:59 UK time) if you can. Applying by this date gives us time to assess your application and invite you to interview before the January start.

You can still apply after 1 November:

We continue to accept applications until all places are filled.
When the programme is full, we close it to further applications.
If the January cohort is full when your application arrives, we automatically consider you for the next available start date.

Your application is complete when you have submitted the online form and all supporting documents and paid the application fee.

If your application is still incomplete when the January cohort fills, we will consider it for the next available start date.

To meet us before you apply, please contact the course leader at [email protected] or visit our open days ( www.nspc.org.uk/course-directory/open-days/ )

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Dates 2026-27

Our academic year has three 14-week terms. Winter runs from January to mid-April, Spring from late April to late July, and Autumn from September to mid-December.

If you wish to start the programme in January 2027:

Your two online theory modules run for ten weeks each: Theories of Personal Change from late January and Existential Perspectives on Human Issues from mid-May.
You attend Skills in Existential Coaching as three five-day workshops at our NW London campus.
You complete the programme with the five-day Advanced Existential Coaching and Existential Leadership workshop.

Theories of Personal Change

This module provides you with an opportunity to develop your own evidence-based theory of personal development. You will critically evaluate the modern concept of personality as an explanation for many Western theories of personal change.

Existential Perspectives on Human Issues (online)

This module offers you an overview of existential thought, developing your ability to help others confront their existential challenges through coaching. You will explore the philosophical and psychological underpinnings of human values, meaning and creative responses to anxiety.

Skills in Existential Coaching (3 terms face-to-face)

The module is delivered through week-long workshops across three terms, spanning one full academic year. The first term covers interpersonal coaching skills; the second explores existential and humanist theoretical frameworks and key philosophers; and the final term focuses on applying existential coaching tools and integrating them with other evidence-based coaching traditions.

Your coaching skills will be reviewed each term, with a different emphasis each time, to help you develop your proficiency. You’ll have opportunities to give and receive feedback from tutors and fellow students. Confidentiality will be clarified at the first class meeting. You’ll be asked to work with your own material during these exercises, and you’ll be responsible for deciding the depth and nature of what you disclose.

Advanced Existential Coaching and Existential Leadership (face-to-face)

This module deepens your existential practice through the ideas of existential thinkers who wrote about management and leadership. You apply these ideas to your own leadership and coaching, which gives you a strong foundation for executive and leadership coaching.

Introduction
Description
Accreditation and Careers
Fees 2026-27
Entry Requirements
How You Study

Accreditation and Careers

This programme is quality assured by Middlesex University, and you will receive a Middlesex award upon successful completion. You can view the Middlesex Research Degree Regulations here.

The PGCert gives you a thorough grounding in coaching skills and existential practice. Professional bodies such as the European Mentoring & Coaching Council and the International Coaching Federation also ask for logged coaching hours and supervision, so talk to the Course Leader about how the PGCert fits your route to accreditation.

Your skills will give you the depth needed for modern practice in executive, career, leadership development and neurodiversity coaching. We will also introduce you to best practice across a range of coaching formats, including group, team and existentially oriented psychoeducational coaching interventions.

As a graduate, you can use your skills across a portfolio of roles. You might coach inside an organisation, bring coaching into your current job, set up a private practice or start a consultancy.

Introduction
Description
Accreditation and Careers
Fees 2026-27
Entry Requirements
How You Study

Fees 2026-27

Fees are subject to annual inflationary increases

Year of course

Units to be completed in year

Fee payable per year

(if no modules need to be repeated)

6 units over 3 terms

£6,840

Validated Courses Additional Charges

Application Fee	£50 non-refundable
Acceptance Deposit	£100 which will be deducted from the initial invoice when you start the course. It is non-refundable if you do not start.
APEL Fee is only applicable if your claim for prior learning is approved and will replace the tuition fee for that unit.	£200 per submission
Instalment Plan	£20 per Unit
Late changes to Course Plan	£50
Professional registration	At own expense
Books	At own expense

Please note : Students on validated programmes are not eligible for Student Finance or DSA

Introduction
Description
Accreditation and Careers
Fees 2026-27
Entry Requirements
How You Study

Entry Requirements

A Bachelors degree in any field, or a higher degree such as a PGDip (equivalent experience may be acceptable)
Fluent English: IELTS level 7 or above in all categories (or equivalent)
Personal suitability to be determined at interview
Reliable internet connection
Two references are required, one academic and one professional, where possible
- If an academic reference is not available, two professional references may be accepted
- In exceptional cases, a character reference may be considered at the Course Leader’s discretion
- Family members and close friends are not accepted; we may request an alternative reference if needed

Supporting documents required for application:

CV
Personal statement (approx. 500 words where you could outline the philosophy, purpose and context of your practice and how these could be enhanced if you were to undertake one of our courses in existential coaching)
Copies of qualifications
Copy of your passport
An enhanced DBS or equivalent

Introduction
Description
Accreditation and Careers
Fees 2026-27
Entry Requirements
How You Study

How You Study

You study through blended learning: two online theory modules on Moodle with weekly webinars and four face-to-face workshops in NW London. The course fits around a busy life and suits students who live far from London or have caring responsibilities.

Theory modules are asynchronous apart from a weekly one-hour webinar with your tutor, held at a time your group agrees. Each week you work through the online materials and discuss them with your group and tutor in the forum. A short weekly quiz helps you check your understanding.

Each face-to-face workshop runs for five consecutive days. You attend four workshops: three skills workshops and the Advanced Existential Coaching and Existential Leadership workshop.

Students may take up to 2 years to complete should they need additional time.