Psychotherapeutic Counselling

Study options

Award

Key facts

Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:
Part-time
Study option:
Part-time
Duration:
3 Years
Duration:
2 Years
Start date:
25 September 2023
School:
School of Health, Science and Wellbeing

Expert teaching

Taught by staff in professional practice

Integrative approach

Draws on a range of established psychotherapeutic approaches

BACP accredited

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy accredits Diploma

Our Psychotherapeutic Counselling MSc will develop you into a reflexive counsellor who can work effectively with clients on a diverse range of issues.

As anxiety, stress and various associated conditions become increasingly common in today’s hectic world, more and more people are recognising the benefits of counselling.

Taking an integrative approach, this course will help you to develop a range of psychotherapeutic strategies – and enable you to begin to call on your own life experiences – to help your clients better understand their feelings and overcome the challenges they face.

The closing date for applications is 9 May 2022. 

As anxiety, stress and various associated conditions become increasingly common in today’s hectic world, more and more people are recognising the benefits of counselling.

Taking an integrative approach, this course will help you to develop a range of psychotherapeutic strategies – and enable you to begin to call on your own life experiences – to help your clients better understand their feelings and overcome the challenges they face.

The closing date for applications is 9 May 2022. 

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Psychotherapeutic Counselling

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: PgDip Psychotherapeutic Counselling

Course content

You’ll be taught five different counselling approaches:

  • Person-centred
  • Cognitive behavioural
  • Psychodynamic
  • Attachment
  • Systemic

You’ll also be encouraged to reflect on your own integrative approach as it develops over the course.

You’ll need to undertake a counselling placement of at least 100 hours and at least 20 hours of approved personal therapy.

You’ll attend a compulsory residential weekend at the start of the course which offers space to focus on personal development, skills and group dynamics in a tranquil setting.

There are also two compulsory Saturday day schools in both Year 1 and Year 2.

You’ll be assigned a supervisor with experience in the particular area and method of counselling research that you’re interested in.

You’ll be taught five different counselling approaches:

  • Person-centred
  • Cognitive behavioural
  • Psychodynamic
  • Attachment
  • Systemic

You’ll also be encouraged to reflect on your own integrative approach as it develops over the course.

You’ll need to undertake a counselling placement of at least 100 hours and at least 20 hours of approved personal therapy.

You’ll attend a compulsory residential weekend at the start of the course which offers space to focus on personal development, skills and group dynamics in a tranquil setting.

There are also two compulsory Saturday day schools in both Year 1 and Year 2.

You’ll be assigned a supervisor with experience in the particular area and method of counselling research that you’re interested in.

Professional body accreditation

Accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

Psychology Facility Tour

Psychology Facility Tour

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Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Becoming A Counsellor 20 credits
Developing Your Integrative Counselling Approach 20 credits
Exploring Self In Relation To Other 20 credits
Year 3 compulsory modules
Counselling Research Project 40 credits
Counselling Research Proposal 20 credits

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Becoming A Counsellor 20 credits
Developing Your Integrative Counselling Approach 20 credits
Exploring Self In Relation To Other 20 credits

Entry requirements

You must obtain a counselling placement involving a minimum of 100 hours of supervised counselling practice during the course.

Your emotional maturity and resilience will be assessed as part of the application and interview process.

PgDip

You must have a good Honours degree in Counselling / Psychology and Counselling, and a good standard of written and spoken English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).

If your degree is in an unrelated subject, you’ll need to have at least a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling.

MSc

You must have achieved at least a 2i Honours degree in Counselling / Psychology and Counselling. Applications are also welcomed from those with the required counselling qualifications.

If your degree is in an unrelated subject, you’ll need to have at least a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling.

You should also have a good standard of written and spoken English (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent).

University Certificate in Counselling

If you don’t meet the requirements to study at MSc/PgDip level, you may be interested in our University Certificate in Counselling, which is studied part-time over one year.

For students who are not equipped to begin Certificate-level study and have little or no counselling experience, a 10-week Introduction to Basic Skills in Counselling course is also available. Successful completion of the Introduction will enable you to apply to enrol on the Certificate.

You must obtain a counselling placement involving a minimum of 100 hours of supervised counselling practice during the course.

Your emotional maturity and resilience will be assessed as part of the application and interview process.

PgDip

You must have a good Honours degree in Counselling / Psychology and Counselling, and a good standard of written and spoken English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).

If your degree is in an unrelated subject, you’ll need to have at least a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling.

MSc

You must have achieved at least a 2i Honours degree in Counselling / Psychology and Counselling. Applications are also welcomed from those with the required counselling qualifications.

If your degree is in an unrelated subject, you’ll need to have at least a Level 3 Certificate in Counselling.

You should also have a good standard of written and spoken English (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent).

University Certificate in Counselling

If you don’t meet the requirements to study at MSc/PgDip level, you may be interested in our University Certificate in Counselling, which is studied part-time over one year.

For students who are not equipped to begin Certificate-level study and have little or no counselling experience, a 10-week Introduction to Basic Skills in Counselling course is also available. Successful completion of the Introduction will enable you to apply to enrol on the Certificate.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

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Facilities

Careers

When you’ve completed the Postgraduate Diploma/MSc plus 450 client hours, you can apply to the BACP to become an accredited counsellor.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Teaching includes formal lectures, small and large group work, triads, discussions, guided reading, video presentations, demonstrations and counselling sessions. During the training, you’ll take on the role of both counsellor and client, and explore your own reflexivity and self-awareness. In Year 2, with permission, there will be the opportunity to review audio recordings of actual practitioner-client sessions.

You’ll be required to critique an audio recording of a client on placement as part of the skills portfolio assessment. 

Teaching includes formal lectures, small and large group work, triads, discussions, guided reading, video presentations, demonstrations and counselling sessions. During the training, you’ll take on the role of both counsellor and client, and explore your own reflexivity and self-awareness. In Year 2, with permission, there will be the opportunity to review audio recordings of actual practitioner-client sessions.

You’ll be required to critique an audio recording of a client on placement as part of the skills portfolio assessment. 

Assessment

Among other activities, during Years 1 and 2 assessments include essays and presentations on ethics, theory, skills critiques and personal development activities. In Year 2 you’ll also be assessed on your critique of audio from an actual client session. In Year 3, you’ll be assessed on your research proposal and dissertation.

Among other activities, during Years 1 and 2 assessments include essays and presentations on ethics, theory, skills critiques and personal development activities. In Year 2 you’ll also be assessed on your critique of audio from an actual client session. In Year 3, you’ll be assessed on your research proposal and dissertation.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

  • Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
  • Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
  • Academic writing (including how to reference)
  • Research skills
  • Critical thinking
  • Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

You’ll receive constructive feedback on all work submitted for assessment. Feedback is intended to help you learn and develop, and you’re encouraged to discuss it with your personal tutor. You’ll be continually assessed on your skills during the triad sessions.

Feedback is normally provided within 20 working days following submission of work.

You’ll receive constructive feedback on all work submitted for assessment. Feedback is intended to help you learn and develop, and you’re encouraged to discuss it with your personal tutor. You’ll be continually assessed on your skills during the triad sessions.

Feedback is normally provided within 20 working days following submission of work.

Your overall workload will consist of independent learning and assessment activity, equating to a total study time of approximately three days per week, including placement, supervision and wider reading. You’ll have approximately 7.5 contact hours each week.

Your overall workload will consist of independent learning and assessment activity, equating to a total study time of approximately three days per week, including placement, supervision and wider reading. You’ll have approximately 7.5 contact hours each week.

Independent learning

When not attending sessions on campus or accessing Blackboard, our Virtual Learning Environment, you’ll be expected to complete research and reading in support of the topics you’ve been taught. You must also keep up-to-date with contemporary research and literature surrounding counselling.

When not attending sessions on campus or accessing Blackboard, our Virtual Learning Environment, you’ll be expected to complete research and reading in support of the topics you’ve been taught. You must also keep up-to-date with contemporary research and literature surrounding counselling.

Fees

For the course starting on 25 September 2023 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £9,810 per course £16,740 per course

For the course starting on 25 September 2023 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £6,540 per course £11,160 per course

The expected study pattern on this programme enables you to complete modules totalling 60 credits in your first year of study and the other 120 credits, split equally over your second and third year of study. If you follow this pattern of study you will pay the same fee for each year of study. You will be invoiced for the modules that you register for each year, so if your study pattern is different from the expected pattern, you will pay more or less each year accordingly.

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Included in the fees:

The compulsory residential weekend, which takes place in Year 1, is included in the course tuition fee. However, travel costs are not included.

The compulsory residential weekend, which takes place in Year 1, is included in the course tuition fee. However, travel costs are not included.
Not included in the fees:

You’ll need to complete 20 hours of personal therapy, which can be done over the two years. On average, counsellors charge around £40 per hour, but this cost will vary. It’s your responsibility to arrange counselling supervision, with a requirement to have one hour every two weeks, working to a ratio of one hour of supervision to six hours of counselling. On average, supervisors charge £40 per hour. Once again, this cost can vary, with some supervisors offering a discount to students.

Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced DBS) check

On the first day of the course, you’ll need to complete an Enhanced DBS application form. You’ll be expected to cover the cost of the check.

You’ll need to complete 20 hours of personal therapy, which can be done over the two years. On average, counsellors charge around £40 per hour, but this cost will vary. It’s your responsibility to arrange counselling supervision, with a requirement to have one hour every two weeks, working to a ratio of one hour of supervision to six hours of counselling. On average, supervisors charge £40 per hour. Once again, this cost can vary, with some supervisors offering a discount to students.

Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced DBS) check

On the first day of the course, you’ll need to complete an Enhanced DBS application form. You’ll be expected to cover the cost of the check.
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MSc Part-time 25 September 2023 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations. 

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