Program Overview

Counselling and Psychotherapy (Professional Training)

Overview

The MSc/PgDip in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Professional Training) is a part-time course that provides an in-depth study of the person-centred approach to counselling. The course aims to produce practitioners who are capable of working effectively with a wide range of clients, together with a range of psychological problems of varying degrees of severity.

Course Details

• Attendance: Part-time
• Duration: Two years (PgDip), three years (MSc)
• Next Enrolment: September 2025 (closed to applications), September 2026 (applications open at the end of September 2025)

Introduction

This course provides a balance between academic work, skills development, professional practice, and individual personal development and self-awareness. As a student of a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited course, you will be eligible to join the BACP professional register upon completing the Postgraduate Diploma.

Course Accreditations

• BACP accredited course
• Adheres to BACP’s Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions (2018)

Course Structure

• Year One:
  • Introduction to Person-Centred Theory and Practice
  • Contemporary Perspectives in Counselling and Psychotherapy Research
• Year Two:
  • Mental Health for Counsellors
  • Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Year Three (MSc only):
  • Dissertation

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching: Lectures, skills work, personal development activities
• Assessment: Skills work, reflection on self and on the practice, assignment

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.

Counselling Suite

We have a dedicated Counselling Suite which is used for training students to become professional counsellors and psychotherapists.

Employment and Stats

• Opportunities for part-time and private work
• Widespread opportunities for further study at postgraduate level
• Students who have successfully completed the course have started their own business as a counsellor, acquired jobs within NHS, the voluntary sector, and education

Requirements

• Applicant Profile:
  • Completed a Level 3 certificate in counselling (taught course, not online, at least 90 hours duration)
  • Certain counselling degrees also include the equivalent of a counselling certificate as part of the programme
• Standard Entry Requirements:
  • 2:1 degree in any subject + 1 year experience in a helping role
  • 2:2 degree in a health-related subject + 1 year experience in a helping role
  • 2:2 degree in any subject + significant (more than 1 year) experience in a helping role
  • 3rd class degree or Level 5 + significant (more than 1 year) experience in a helping role
  • Master's level degree in any subject + 1 year in a helping role
• Definition of a Helping Role:
  • Care work
  • Coaching
  • Emergency services
  • Helplines
  • Hypnotherapy / CBT / other therapeutic work
  • Mental health support work
  • Mentoring/befriending
  • Nursing/healthcare assistant
  • Pastoral roles in an education setting
  • Public-facing local council/government roles
  • Public-facing support roles
  • Social work
  • Support worker
  • Teaching/teaching assistant
  • Volunteering work in the community

Fees

• Part-time: £1,515 per 30 credit module (2025/26)

Additional Costs

• Supervision of counselling practice (approx. £735-£1,050)
• Personal therapy (approx. £700-£1000)
• Student membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (fees vary)