Short Course

Professional Certificate in Mediation & Mediation Skills

This Professional Certificate in Mediation & Mediation Skills short course introduces you to the practice of mediation as a way to resolve disputes. It also develops and encourages using your mediation skills in any situation where getting communication right is crucial.

It will introduce you the key ideas of mediation, and provide you with the skills and understanding you need to be a better communicator in all areas of life.

NB There are no upcoming dates for this short course, but new dates may be added in due course. We can also run our short courses 'on demand' for organisations who would like to use them as part of staff development. Contact us for more details about costs and how to arrange a bespoke delivery of this course.

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Why QMU?

  • Friendly, approachable, expert teachers
  • High quality, professionally accredited learning
  • Personalised support from start to success

Who is this course for?

This course will suit anyone who is curious about mediation, anyone who wants to become a professional mediator, and anyone who wants to develop their communication skills to help navigate life.

Professional Certificate in Mediation & Mediation Skills: The course in brief

What will I learn on the course?

On this course you will learn:

  • how mediation works;
  • how conflict affects people;
  • questioning and listening skills;
  • defusing aggression and maintaining control in a balanced way;
  • how to negotiate in a way that adds value and helps relationships;
  • how to build workable solutions; and
  • how to run a mediation session from start to finish.

By the end of the course what will I be able to do?

On completion of the course, you’ll be able to:

  • effectively carry out a structured mediation;
  • critically explore a range of key mediation practice based issues;
  • reflect on their own and others’ mediation practice;
  • appraise the practice of mediation in a range of disputes; and
  • apply mediative skills in a range of real world contexts.

How will I be taught?

How is the course delivered?

The main part of the course will be delivered across 5 or 6 days of face-to-face learning and teaching, delivered in at least two blocks.  Before this, you will be set some pre-work, and there will be homework between the teaching days.

The module will engage the student in the following types of learning experiences:

• mini-lectures (live and video)
• seminars
• role plays
• group and individual exercises
• discussion groups
• case studies
• demonstrations by mediation practitioners
• reflection

You will be learning actively from the start. As the course progresses, more and more emphasis is on developing your skills through practice, so you will need to be prepared to take part. Role plays are a big part of how we will learn, so you should be comfortable with this and other types of active learning.

Does the course have an assessment and if so what sort of assessment will it be?

At the end of the course, you will undergo two pieces of assessment: a ‘live’ practical mediation role play, and then a reflective essay. You are given a minimum of 6 weeks from the end of the taught part of the course to complete and submit the essay.

Who will be teaching me?

You will be taught by Craig Cathcart, a senior lecturer and mediator. Craig has taught mediation everywhere from Edinburgh to China via the Channel Islands, and to a wide range of audiences.

What equipment will I need for this course?

The course is delivered face to face.  You should bring along pen, paper, or any electronic device you prefer to take notes with. For the second assessment, you will be expected to have access to word processing resources.

Student support/access to facilities

For the duration of your course you will be able to make use of our on-campus learning resource centre as well as access to our full range of online resources, including e-books and academic journals.

You will also have limited, mainly online access to Student Services support. Students with particular support requirements can contact the Disability Service.

As you will be studying with us for less than a full academic year you will not be provided with a personal academic tutor (PAT). However, any queries regarding your studies should be directed to the staff member leading the delivery of your course.

Professional Certificate in Mediation & Mediation Skills: Entry requirements, fees and application information

Entry requirements

The course is delivered at SCQF Level 9, which is equivalent to the third year of a four-year undergraduate degree in Scotland. Each applicant must decide if the level of study is suitable for them.

Applicants for SCQF Level 9 study would usually have completed further or higher education up to or above the level of an HND. Alternatively, they would have relevant professional experience that supports study at this level. Applicants that have previously studied outside the UK should check that their qualification has been taught at a suitable level to prepare them for studying a course at this level.

You do not need to provide proof of your previous qualifications.

English Language requirements: This course is taught and assessed in English. Applicants do not need to provide proof of their English Language skills when applying for this course, but all applicants should consider whether they have sufficient English competence to study at this level. Applicants for this level of study would usually be able to demonstrate a level of English equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component score below 6.0.

Additional requirement: Students must be available for all 6 dates as a condition of being accepted on the course.

Fees 

£1500

Application

As no future start dates have been confirmed for this course, application is not currently possible.

Application deadline

N/A

Start date

The course ran in 2022. Future start dates are TBC.

More information and QMU contacts

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View the full range of our Arts, Social Sciences and Management short courses.

Course Overview

Delivery
Online and in person
Duration
3 Months
Start Date
March 2021