Coaching: An Introduction



Overview

Helping anyone interested in using coaching, whether professionally, as a life skill, or to achieve better results in their work with others. Thought-provoking and practical, we explore the theory and skills of good coaching.

Whether you are just curious about coaching, have a little understanding of what it involves, would like to develop some core skills in it to use in your work, or think it might be useful in parenting, or as a life skill, this is the course for you. In a supportive environment, we shall explore the core skills, the mindset necessary to be an effective coach, understand the boundaries of coaching, and what you need to do to protect yourself and your 'client'. 

Regardless of your starting point, you will have plenty of opportunities to put your learning into practice and you should emerge with solid skills, the ability to self-assess and improve, and the confidence to apply coaching in ways that they have not previously tried.

Some students may wish to go on to our Advanced Coaching course, but this introduction stands alone and should leave you ready to work in your chosen way.

Programme details

Course starts Monday 29 September 2025

This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Mondays, 6-9pm.

Week 1: Defining coaching and its outcomes.

Week 2: Coaching as a teaching and learning tool; the role of reflective practice.

Week 3: Core skills for coaching.

Week 4: Coaching 'models'.

Week 5: Observation and feedback.

Week 6: Protecting the client and ourselves.

Week 7: Different coaching contexts and third party relationships.

Week 8: Using 'assessments' to find substantial development needs.

Week 9: Psychological insights and coaching.

Week 10: How coaches develop; review; future plans.

Digital Certification

Academic credit

Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS Points)

Please note, students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you wish to gain credit from completing this course you must register to do so before the course starts.

Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.

Learn more about the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee for assessment and accreditation.

Digital certificate of completion 

Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee (with no assessment) £450.00
Take this course for CATS points £60.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. See details of our concessionary fees for short courses. 

 

Tutor

Dr Graham Wilson

A leadership and OD consultancy/coaching career followed my behavioural science PhD. Since 2015, I’ve taught psychology, counselling, coaching, and photography at Oxford. Through teaching, writing (15+ textbooks), and conversations, I hope I help people understand these subjects' day-to-day relevance.

Course aims

To introduce the essentials of coaching, and practice the core skills, in a supportive environment, so that participants will feel confident using these in their work, day-to-day life, as a parent or volunteer.

Course objectives:

  • To understand coaching as an educational tool helping others to achieve change in their lives.
  • To have the knowledge and skills to apply coaching in a variety of contexts.
  • To appreciate our own skill level and develop plans to enhance it.

Teaching methods

  • Large and small group discussion – variously led by the tutor and participants;
  • self-reflection;
  • triads;
  • pre- and post-session tutor-led input via VLE (Canvas);
  • online and offline peer dialogue.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will have been given the opportunity to have learnt how to:

  • be capable of explaining core concepts of coaching to a lay person;
  • be able to assess the ethical considerations of a coaching scenario and how they would avoid/address them; and
  • have a balanced perspective of their own coaching development and plans to develop themselves further.

Assessment methods

Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.

Assessment

Students will prepare three short (500 words each) summaries during the course:

  • the coaching vernacular;
  • an ethical case-study;
  • personal reflections on their coaching journey. 

Together, these form one assignment of 1500 words. Informal feedback can be provided if you wish.

Application

How to enrol

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

How to register for accreditation and assessment

To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. 

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

 

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support