Corvinus University of Budapest

What you'll study

This graduate diploma combines theoretical foundations of coaching with applied tools and supervised practice for organisational settings. Core topics include coaching psychology and ethics, leadership development, team and group coaching, performance and talent coaching, organisational change and culture, and measurement of coaching impact.

• Coaching Foundations: models of coaching, coaching competencies, ethics and professional standards, reflective practice.
• Leadership and Executive Coaching: coaching senior leaders, strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, 360-degree feedback and development planning.
• Team and Group Coaching: dynamics of high-performing teams, facilitation skills, conflict resolution and collective coaching interventions.
• Organisational Contexts: aligning coaching with HR strategy, talent management, succession planning and organisational development.
• Coaching Methods and Tools: assessment instruments, solution-focused and cognitive-behavioural approaches, coaching for performance improvement.
• Research and Evaluation: designing coaching interventions, measuring outcomes, ROI and evidence-based practice.
• Practical Placement and Supervision: supervised coaching hours, peer coaching, recorded-session review and mentor feedback.

Programme structure typically blends intensive taught modules, experiential workshops, supervised practice and a capstone project or portfolio demonstrating applied coaching work. Instruction methods include lectures, case studies, role-plays, live coaching demonstrations and guided supervision.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline and have relevant professional experience. Typical candidates include HR professionals, managers, consultants and other practitioners who work with people and teams in organisations.

• A completed undergraduate degree from a recognised institution or equivalent professional qualification.
• Relevant work experience — often demonstrated by a CV showing several years in managerial, HR, consulting or people-focused roles.
• Motivation statement outlining coaching interest and career goals; some programmes may request examples of coaching-related experience or a short interview.
• Proficiency in the language of instruction; for non-native speakers, evidence of language ability may be required.

Selection may include an interview to assess suitability for client-facing coaching practice and readiness for supervised coaching placements.

Career prospects

Graduates leave prepared to work as internal coaches, leadership coaches, talent and development specialists, team coaches or coaching programme managers within private and public organisations. Many alumni integrate coaching into HR business partnering, organisational development or executive education roles.

• Internal/Organisational Coach — delivering coaching programmes for leaders and high-potential employees.
• Leadership Development Specialist — designing and implementing leader development pathways and interventions.
• Talent Management and HR Partner — applying coaching to succession planning, performance development and retention strategies.
• Independent/Executive Coach — offering external coaching services to executives and teams, often combined with accreditation and ongoing supervision.
• Consultant in Change and Organisational Development — using coaching as a tool for embedding cultural change and improving change readiness.

Career progression frequently includes obtaining professional coaching accreditation, building a private practice, or moving into senior HR and OD leadership roles where coaching is a strategic capability.

Why study at Corvinus University of Budapest

Corvinus has a long-standing reputation for business education in Central Europe and strong links with corporate partners across the region, which provides practical access to organisational settings for applied coaching practice. The university combines multidisciplinary expertise in management, psychology and HR, enabling a balanced curriculum that emphasises both theory and workplace application.

• Practice-led learning: emphasis on supervised coaching hours, live practice and employer-linked projects.
• Experienced faculty and practitioners: instructors with academic and consulting backgrounds in leadership, coaching and organisational development.
• Networking and corporate connections: access to regional businesses and alumni networks for internships, placements and client opportunities.
• Pathways to accreditation: programme design often aligns with international coaching competency frameworks, supporting professional accreditation routes.

Studying this programme at Corvinus positions graduates to apply coaching skills in diverse organisational contexts and to contribute to leadership effectiveness and cultural change within organisations.