MSc Counselling

What you will study

Year 1 (Level 7) 

You will cover a variety of modules, introducing you to the theory of Person-Centred Counselling, alongside skills practice and personal development groups. You will be introduced to research methods for counselling research and begin to formulate your ideas for your final research project.

Modules:

• Counselling Theory 1: In this module, you will be introduced to key aspects at an introductory level such as what is Person-Centred Counselling? How is Counselling regulated and what are ‘professional and ethical issues’? and what is personal development and how does this relate to training as a counsellor?
• Counselling Skills: You will develop an understanding of the need to provide an environment conducive to listening (physically and contractually) and reflect upon how ways of listening (and not listening) impact upon clients. You will have the opportunity and encouragement to begin listening to others with acceptance, congruence, and empathically. You will have the chance to offer active listening skills to a colleague client and to receive the same.
• Research Methods: You will learn the basic knowledge and confidence to approach quantitative and qualitative analyses in the context of applied research methods. The module will give you a brief overview of historical, philosophical and ethical issues with coverage of primarily qualitative research design and practical issues in a variety of research contexts.
• Research Project: This module aims to enable you to make an original contribution to the field of relevant counselling by designing, undertaking, and reporting (both written and oral) on a piece of research. The aim is to develop your research skills and report writing skills along with a level of expertise in your chosen area of investigation.

Year 2 (Level 7) 

In your second year of study, you will continue to develop your understanding of counselling theory. In this year, you will begin your Counselling placement and start to accrue your 100 client contact hours. You will also continue to develop and complete your final research project. 

Modules:

• Counselling Theory 2: This module will provide opportunities to further develop and explore an understanding of the theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy, by considering contemporary developments to theory and comparison to another counselling tradition/s.
• Counselling Skills 2: You will continue to build on the learning and understanding developed in module Counselling Skills 1 which will enable you to develop your practical counselling skills to demonstrate an understanding of the need (and ability) to provide a relationship offering the conditions of psychological contact, empathy, Unconditional Positive Regard and Congruence in counselling.  You will also develop the awareness and understanding of ethical professional, legal and ethical issues within a person-centred counselling relationship.
• Advanced Counselling Practice: You begin clinical practice placements during this module. This will include working in placement and accruing client contact hours towards the required total of 100 clinical placement hours, once readiness and fitness for practice have been demonstrated. You will also participate in clinical supervision external to the University as well as Clinical Practice Improvement (CPI) groups and develop your ability to critically reflect upon clinical practice and to utilise session recordings and transcripts to aid reflection on the efficacy of your developing ability to put theory into practice.
• Research Project: This module aims to enable you to continue to make an original contribution to the field of relevant counselling by designing, undertaking, and reporting (both written and oral) on a piece of research. The aim is to develop your research skills and report writing skills along with a level of expertise in your chosen area of investigation.

Entry requirements & applying

This course is suitable for anyone with an interest in Counselling and Psychology, with a previous degree in a mental health related field or equivalent, and for those wishing to improve upon their listening skills in their current fields of work such as teachers, nurses, mental health and wellbeing practitioners.

Teaching & Assessment

The course is assessed in a variety of ways. These assessments may be self, peer or tutor assessed, and include recordings and critiques of transcribed counselling sessions, live practice with peers (Triads), presentations, theory and reflection written assignments, case studies and portfolios of evidence. Clinical supervisor and placement reports all form important parts of the assessment process. There are no exams.

TEACHING AND LEARNING 

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. 

Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available. 

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference. 

Career prospects

 Our dedicated Careers and Employability team is committed to helping you achieve your professional goals. They provide personalised advice, useful resources, and extracurricular employability events to prepare you for the job market. 

Graduates of this course can pursue careers in: 

• Private Practice Counsellor
• Counselling Psychology
• Mental Health Roles
• Support Worker
• Teaching Assistant
• Wellbeing Practitioner
• Teaching
• Supervisory Roles
• HR
• Managerial Roles

Fees & funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.

All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our postgraduate fees.

Programme specification