Thinking about a coaching qualification – or just curious whether this one might be the right fit? Here’s the honest inside view.
- 5 min read
- Next cohort: October 2026
- ICF-accredited
Choosing a coaching course can feel overwhelming. There are a lot of options out there, varying wildly in quality, style, and price. So when people ask us what makes the MurphyBishop Systemic Coaching Diploma different, we don’t just send them off to our website (though that’s a good place to start!). We tell them what it’s really like.
The short version? It’s practical, personal and – genuinely – fun.
“Little did I realise just how profoundly transformative, inspirational, empowering, hopeful and truly JOYFUL an experience [the MurphyBishop Diploma] would turn out to be! … Everyone is nurtured, encouraged, celebrated and guided to understand systemic thinking in the most holistic and inspiring way – it has simply changed me, personally and professionally for the better” Breda Spillane, Healthcare innovation and transformation delivery consultant
Here’s what you need to know.
The Diploma in Systemic Coaching was designed by coaches, for anyone wanting to strengthen their interpersonal, coaching and systemic thinking skills
Founders Irene and Margaret built it around a simple question: what course would we want to do? The result is a programme that feels nothing like a typical training course. It’s relational and systemic by design – built around real conversations, small groups, and learning through doing rather than sitting through lectures.
Irene and Margaret teach every module themselves, supported by the faculty (find out more about our team), over Zoom, and you’ll have genuine space to ask questions, get hands-on, and be guided by people who are still actively working in the field.
“We designed the course we would want to do ourselves – it’s relational and systemic, curated for small groups and where we can experiment in a safe space.” Margaret Bishop
No essays. Just real practice from day one
One of the first things people ask? Will I have to write an essay. You’ll be pleased to hear that no, there’s no essay writing. Assessment is practical – because coaching is a practical skill. From the very first module, you’ll be doing the work: coaching, being coached, and reflecting in real time alongside your cohort.
That hands-on approach means learning sticks. More often than not, participants find they’re far more experienced and capable than they realised coming in. That’s intentional.
| 98.6% MurphyBishop completion rate | 60 Training hours | 12 People per cohort |
Small groups. Carefully curated.
We cap each cohort at 12 people – and those 12 aren’t assembled randomly. MurphyBishop deliberately brings together a diverse group with a wide range of lived and professional experiences. That diversity is a distinct feature – you’ll learn as much from your cohort as you do from the curriculum.
The small group format also means there’s no hiding at the back. Everyone matters, and every diploma cohort is shaped by the specific people in the room. Your experiences, your questions, your context – they’re woven into the course as it unfolds.
“Learning alongside a cohort of thoughtful, curious, and courageous professionals … made this a deeply human and humbling experience. Systemic coaching has already begun to enrich how I work with leaders and boards – bringing a wider lens, deeper presence, and more meaningful conversations to the table. I’m weaving these insights into how I show up as a coach, mentor or consultant, helping individuals and organisations navigate complexity with more clarity, connection, and compassion.” Denise Walshe, Non-Executive Director & Fractional CFO
What the programme looks like
The diploma runs across three modules plus an assessment day, all online between 9:00 and 17:30 GMT:
- Module 1: Thursday 8 – Friday 9 October 2026
- Module 2: Thursday 5 – Friday 6 November 2026
- Module 3: Thursday 3 – Friday 4 December 2026
- Assessment Day: Monday 14 December 2026
Sixty hours of training, spread across an intense but manageable two-month window. Fully online, so there’s no commuting, no hotels, and no geographic barriers – our participants join from across the UK, Ireland and beyond.
ICF-accredited – and what that means for you
The Diploma is accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the globally recognised professional body for coaches. That means your qualification carries real weight, whether you’re adding credentials to your professional profile, or making the case to an employer that your skills are the real deal.
The 100 Club: support that doesn’t stop
Once you graduate, you don’t just get a certificate and a wave goodbye. All MurphyBishop alumni are invited to join the 100 Club. It’s a community that gives you access to free, regular catch-up sessions over Zoom, and ongoing coaching practice. It’s where you can build a valuable coaching network. Because good coaching development is continuous, not a one-time event.
Recent 100 Club sessions have included:
- Using the whole brain in systemic coaching
- Working with complexity
- Breaking out of the drama triangle
- Managing polarities
Don’t just take our word for it:
“It was wonderful to reconnect – and to meet new people.”
“It’s amazing to just step into a breakout room with two people you have never met before but you have so much in common with and you can let it all spill out.”
“It’s such a safe space to try things out.”
100 Club member comments
Who is this for?
The Diploma attracts a wide range of people: experienced managers who want to sharpen how they lead, HR and L&D professionals looking to formalise their coaching skills, consultants broadening their offer, and coaches brushing up on their skills and qualifications. What they have in common is a genuine curiosity about people, and a desire to get better at the kind of conversations that truly change things.
- No essays – practical assessment from day one
- Live teaching by founders Irene and Margaret, with real Q&A
- Small, diverse groups of 12 – carefully curated each time
- Fully online, accessible from anywhere
- ICF-accredited – internationally recognised
- Alumni community via the 100 Club, with free ongoing support
- 98.6% completion rate – you’re supported from start to finish
The October 2026 cohort is forming now.
Places are limited to 12. If you’re curious whether the diploma is right for you, the best first step is a conversation.
