Henley MSc in Coaching for Behavioural Change
- Understand the psychology and neuroscience behind behavioural change
- Learn to coach at an organisational level, align your coaching with business objectives, and work with senior executives
- Become more self-aware as a coach and transform how you relate to coachees
- Undertake a research project on a coaching and behavioural change topic of your choice
- Practise new coaching tools and techniques
What you need to know
Overview
The MSc in Coaching for Behavioural Change is a flexible, part-time programme that empowers you to become more confident, self-aware and effective as a coach.
Driven by research and led by experienced tutors, the programme is delivered in a workshop style that lets you practise new skills and techniques in a safe environment.
You will gain insight into the processes involved in behavioural change, as well as the organisational context for coaching and the dynamics of coaching relationships. You will also have valuable time to reflect and network with a supportive group of peers.
"Whether you want to become a coach or just improve your management capability, the Henley MSc is an incredibly transformative experience"
- Understand the dynamics of coaching relationships: individual, team and organisational
- Increase your range of coaching tools and techniques and know when and how to use them
- Understand the psychological processes involved in behavioural change and how coaching can support this
- Build mastery and confidence in coaching by deepening your understanding of yourself and others
- Experience coaching supervision
- By applying their coaching skills to a piece of practitioner research, participants hone their ability to align coaching with business objectives
- Develop a coaching culture within your organisation
- Develop employees who can contribute to organisational change through evidence-based coaching tools and techniques
Entry requirements
Coaching for Behavioural Change Notes for Applicants
You will typically have a minimum of 5 years' management experience. We also welcome applications from candidates with substantial knowledge, experience and skills in a relevant field who do not meet these requirements.
The programme is conducted in English. An excellent level of English is therefore essential and proficiency testing may be requested.
Exemptions
Participants who have completed the Henley Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching (PCEC) within the last 5 years are exempt from Module 1 in Stage 1. * Those who have completed the Henley PCEC (within the last 5 years) are exempt from Module 1. Exemption is also possible for candidates with recognised prior experiential learning (RPEL) (subject to approval, and only for study of the PG Diploma or full MScCBC) from within the previous 5 years.
Fees and intake dates
Fees
£25,400 (in-person or online) VAT exempt. Includes the Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching. £19,150 if exempt from Module 1 (PCEC). Excludes accommodation.
The fee is invoiced per programme stage and can be paid in instalments, subject to agreement.
Intake dates
Intakes for Module 1, the Henley Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching, are scheduled regularly throughout the year.
- Begin Module 1 before mid-October 2025 (unless exempt)
- Module 2 begins in January 2026
Find out more about fees and payment stages for the 2025 intake.
Start dates
Important note
To progress on the MScCBC in January 2026, all participants need to have begun (or completed) the Henley Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching (Module 1 of the MScCBC) before mid-October 2025. Those who have completed the Henley PCEC (within the last 5 years) are exempt from Module 1. Exemption also possible for candidates with recognised prior experiential learning (subject to approval, and only for study of the PG Diploma or full MScCBC).
All programmes are subject to limited availability. We recommend applying a minimum of 4 weeks before the programme start date to guarantee sufficient time for your enrolment and on-boarding.
Course structure
Modules
MSc CBC Stage 1: Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching
Visit the PCEC course page for full details
Exemption from this module is available for participants who have previously completed the Henley Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching no more than five years prior.
MSc CBC Stage 1: Neuroscience & Psychology for Behavioural Change (6 months)
In this module you will:
- Explore evidence-based tools and techniques including cognitive behavioural coaching, motivational interviewing, and acceptance and commitment based coaching
- Consider relevant psychological theories and the latest research into neuroscience
- Develop your ability to support yourself and others to resolve issues, overcome barriers, and embrace new behaviours and ways of thinking
MSc CBC Stage 2: Advanced Coaching Practice (3 months)
In this module you will explore some of the more difficult situations a coach can face - both interpersonal and contextual issues.
Topics of study include:
- Cross-cultural coaching
- Gestalt coaching
- Mental health and coaching
MSc CBC Stage 2: Group Dynamics and Systems Thinking (3 months)
In this module you will:
- Understand the theory and practice of working with groups within a system or organisation
- Learn about coaching and behavioural change at an organisational level
- Develop an understanding of 'the system' rather than the individual response, and the dynamic nature of relationships
MSc CBC Stage 2: Becoming a Reflective Practitioner (3 months)
In this module you will:
- Develop your ability to reflect on the relationship between personal beliefs and the habits of interpersonal behaviour
- Develop your self-awareness as a coach
- Learn how to achieve a high level of self-awareness and behavioural flexibility
MSc CBC Stage 3: Dissertation (MQM3DCBC)
You will undertake a Masters level research project investigating a coaching and behavioural change topic of your choice. This provides the opportunity for a critical examination of the topic and a platform for further professional development.
You will be supported by research and data analysis workshops, as well as guidance from an individual supervisor.
MSc CBC Stage 3: Personal Project (MQM3PERP)
Begun during Stage 1, the personal project encourages you to identify themes of personal development as a coach to be followed over the programme duration.
Just as the research project is about an external application of what has been learnt, the personal project is designed to be inward looking.
MSc CBC: Post-Programme
You will have ongoing contact with Henley Business School through:
- Access to resources from the online learning portal for up to 12 months
- University of Reading and Henley alumni status
- Option to continue membership of The Henley Centre for Coaching (fee payable)
Modules or course content marked as optional are indicative and may be subject to change. Please note, constraints in timetable scheduling may mean you are unable to take some optional modules at the same time as others.
Accreditation
The Henley Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching (completed during Stage 1 of this MSc) is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Association for Coaching (AC) and the European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC). This recognises the quality of the learning experience and provides the option for individual accreditation with any or all of these bodies following successful completion of the programme.
"I learned way more than just new practical tools and techniques … I was able to build good relationships more easily, I was more reflective and I was comfortable operating at a whole new level."
Teaching staff
Participants' stories
Ulrike Sannwald-Reed
Director of Purchasing and Quality, Worcester Bosch
"I’m definitely more empathetic, and have a greater appreciation that people work best in different ways. I’m more inclined to look beneath the surface of people and situations now, and my listening skills have improved. I just work with people at a totally different level now."
Mark Smith
Independent Executive Coach and Director of Development, LexisNexis
"The teaching was of such a consistently high standard it was an absolute delight ... the practical nature of the MSc and the reflective nature of the assignments made it even more enjoyable. Whilst it was undoubtedly hard work, somehow it didn’t feel like it."
Debashish Roy
Vice President of Human Resources, Africa-Eurasia Division, Colgate Palmolive Company
"The programme has been cleverly constructed to allow you to learn from each other, as well as from the expert tutors and outside practitioners."
Danielle Reid
Former Head of Talent Acquisition & Development, Williams F1
"Henley managed to maintain a balance between highly academic, world-class research and making everything so applicable. At no point did I ever feel that I couldn’t apply my learning in my own work situation, and I regularly did."
Location and facilities
Set in sweeping parkland on the banks of the River Thames, Henley Business School's Greenlands campus provides an inspiring and reflective environment for focused work and study.
Why choose Henley?
4th
in the UK overall for executive education programmes
(Financial Times Executive Education ranking 2025)25th
in the world overall for executive education open programmes
(Financial Times Executive Education 2025 )The Henley Centre for Coaching
The Henley Centre for Coaching is a global leader in coaching research and coach training. The Centre is home to a wealth of resources, including the National Coaching Resources Centre, and is a proud recipient of the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) Coaching Award.
Executive Education at Henley
For 80 years, Henley Business School has developed confident and resilient business leaders. Executive Education at Henley is:
- Practical: we combine academic rigour with a strong practical focus, so you can immediately apply what you have learned back in your organisation.
- Relevant: Henley faculty are experienced practitioners who can support you in exploring solutions to your organisation’s challenges.
- Collaborative: Open programmes enable you to expand your network, gain new perspectives and share ideas with peers from a range of backgrounds and sectors.
- Personal: deliberately small learning groups allow you to benefit from individual attention and a confidential environment. We encourage you to understand your unique strengths, leadership style, and areas for development.
Contact us
Open Programmes
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the programme, please contact our programme advisors.
Email: exec@henley.ac.ukTelephone: 01491 418767
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