Program Overview

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Postgraduate PgCert

Supervision in Counselling, Psychotherapy and Helping Relationships

Overview

This distance learning course is an in-depth clinical supervision training. The skills-based focus of the course will enable you to train as a clinical supervisor; applying what you learn in complex professional contexts.

Introduction

This course further develops your critical understanding of the theoretical knowledge which underpins supervision and enhances your ability to critically appraise the associated research and clinical evidence.

Course Details

All about the course

The course comprises a 60-credit clinical supervision training module, 'Supervision in Counselling, Psychotherapy and Helping Relationships'. You will study over two semesters of ten weeks each.

This online module can also be taken as part of the MSc Advanced Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies (Supervision)

One 60-credit module:

This module offers a unique opportunity for you to further your personal and professional development and obtain a supervision qualification. It is a double module, spanning semesters one and two. Based on Hawkins and Shohet’s seven-eyed supervision model, it is open not only to counsellors and psychotherapists with a minimum of one year post-qualification supervised practice experience but also to the wider community of helping professionals as a stand-alone module.

The training consists of lectures, experiential exercises, and skills practice that aim to enable you to gain the skills, knowledge, and experience to become safe and effective supervision practitioners. You are expected to have access to potential supervisees in order to complete the twenty-hour external supervisory practice requirement.

Assessment is based on a methodology and philosophy of supervision essay, as well as a live skills assessment and a final thirty-minute transcribed recording accompanied by a process commentary and practice evaluation embedded in a portfolio evidencing practice hours, knowledge, and reflectivity.

Modules

• Supervision in Counselling, Psychotherapy and Helping Relationships This module offers a unique opportunity for you to further your personal and professional development and obtain a supervision qualification. Based on Hawkin and Shohet’s seven eyed supervision model, it is open, not only to counsellors and psychotherapists with a minimum of one-year post-qualification supervised practice experience but also to the wider community of helping professionals as a stand-alone module. Spanning twenty weeks over two semesters, the training consists of lectures, experiential exercises and skills practice that aim to enable participants to gain the skills, knowledge and experience to become safe and effective supervision practitioners. You are expected to have access to potential supervisees in order to complete the twenty-hour external supervisory practice requirement. Assessment is based on a methodology and philosophy of supervision essay, as well as a live skills assessment and a final thirty minute transcribed recording accompanied by a process commentary and practice evaluation embedded in a portfolio evidencing practice hours, knowledge and reflectivity.

Teaching

This award is aimed at meeting the needs of qualified professionals seeking clinical supervision training.

The course skills training and content are delivered in one weekly three-hour session, for ten weeks in Semester 1 and ten weeks in Semester 2. There may be additional sessions required in the same timeslot at the end of the course for assessment.

Most sessions are structured around small group skills practice, reflective sessions exploring supervision practice and theory, and practice-related lectures. There are also occasional experiential workshops. Delivery is via distance learning.

Assessment

The evaluation takes the form of formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments enable students to gauge their learning and development during each module and to prepare them for summative assessment. Formative assessments include peer and tutor review and feedback on the development of written work both in class and electronically online. The learning is experientially driven and enquiry-led, with opportunities to review the assimilation of knowledge, critical skills, and supervision skills.

Summative assessment strategies include:

• A written essay addressing issues of theory and practice
• A portfolio reflecting on supervision practice
• Supervision skills assessment

The School of Health and Society

The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.

Our courses are informed by the latest research, and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice. The University has received approval for a new health building on the Frederick Road campus which will create brand new teaching spaces, including new Podiatry spaces. Construction will begin in late 2024, with completion expected by Autumn 2026. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a health and wellbeing hub, supporting popular healthcare courses and community services. It will feature sustainable design elements and provide modern clinical facilities to enhance student learning and community engagement. Find out more about our new Health Building.

In time community healthcare clinics will also take place there as partnerships are developed to explore research opportunities and to provide a range of therapeutic sessions.

Counselling suite

We have recently developed a special Counselling Centre which is used for training students to become professional counsellors and psychotherapists and as a hub for clinical counselling and psychotherapy research.

The suite, featuring therapeutic areas where one-to-one, family and group interactions can occur, is available for members of the local community and the University is working with local organisations to deliver a range of counselling services.

There is exciting potential for students on PgCert Supervision in Counselling, Psychotherapy and Helping Relationships to become involved in the research opportunities offered by the Counselling Suite.

Employment and stats

This post-qualifying course will equip you with clinical supervision skills that can significantly enhance your career prospects and, through working as a clinical supervisor, can be an additional source of income.

Following successful completion of the course, you may also consider studying for an MSc: the credits from this course can be carried into our MSc Advanced Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies (Supervision) programme.

Requirements

Applicant Profile

Only fully qualified, professionals who are members of a recognised professional body and who have been in practice for at least a year can apply for this course.

This course is open to anyone working in a helping professional who is also a member of a recognised, relevant professional body.

In order to engage with the course, you will need to have experience working in a person-centred way and have familiarity with the theories and practice of person-centred counselling. You will be motivated to train to be a clinical supervisor and to deepen your knowledge, practice and critical thinking skills. You may have aspirations to influence policy-making, commissioning and service delivery as well as to strengthen your own practice.

You will be a qualified member of a helping profession, with professional membership and at least a year of post-qualification practice. You will be motivated to train to be a clinical supervisor and to deepen your knowledge, practice and critical thinking skills. You may have aspirations to influence policy-making, commissioning and service delivery as well as to strengthen your own practice.

Standard entry requirements

• Evidence of Professional qualification in a helping profession.
• Evidence of membership of a relevant professional body for at least one year.
• Evidence of at least one year of post-qualification practice.
• Evidence of a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling or other professional person-centred skills equivalent.
• Normally evidence of a 2.2. degree or equivalent.

English language requirements

If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications.

If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course to gain entry onto this degree.

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

To be considered for the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme you must have already achieved or be working towards GCSE Maths and English Grade C/4 (or equivalent).

Fees

Type of study | Year | Fees

• Part-time | 2025/26 | Part-time costs will be calculated on a pro rata basis
• Distance learning | 2025/26 | £3,083 (Home)

Additional costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.