Postgraduate - taught prospectus
Therapeutic Counselling, MSc
Make a career change into counselling or enhance your professional practice with a part-time master’s degree in therapeutic counselling with flexible entry options.
Counsellors are essential to the mental wellbeing of a wide range of people in our society. Our therapeutic counselling master's will suit anyone with prior experience in a helping capacity (e.g. social services, nursing or education) who wishes to change career. It can also help you enhance your current professional practice with its insight into the theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy.
You'll be taught by a team of clinical- and research-active experts, who will provide a range of therapeutic counselling techniques derived from Clarkson's integrative model of the therapeutic relationship (2003). You'll also learn to examine and reflect upon counselling theory in relation to contextual and cultural issues. Graduates of this course will fulfil the training needs for British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accreditation.
Department
Duration
3 years part-time
Start month
September
Home fees
What you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
Welcome to our MSc in Therapeutic Counselling. We pride ourselves on combining high-quality teaching with world-class research and a vibrant student experience. Our teaching staff are both clinical and research active and are experts in their fields. Over 60% of our teaching team holds a teaching qualification.
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Entry requirements
Applicants should have:
- An honours degree at 2:1 or above
- Some knowledge of counselling skills and experience of working with people in a helping capacity.
Applicants seeking direct entry are required to present a portfolio demonstrating successful equivalent postgraduate certificate level training. It may be possible to gain exemption from the first year, allowing you to complete in two years. However, the resulting MSc would not be a BACP-accredited award.
Applicants without English as their first language must have an IELTS score of 7.0 or above or an equivalent rating in another recognised language testing system.
For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Further information about entry
The MSc Therapeutic Counselling is emotionally demanding and requires a high level of reflexivity. You will be asked to submit a separate personal statement of at least 500 words on your interest in pursuing counsellor training. Eligible applicants will be invited to attend a small group information session, plus a formal one-to-one interview, during which the team assess your suitability and personal readiness to undertake the training.
Available to overseas students?
No
Can I use prior learning?
Applicants with a PG Certificate in Counselling/Counselling Skills can apply for exemption from the first year of the course. Further details available upon request.
How you will learn
Teaching
Your studies will comprise of one afternoon and evening per week for three terms in Years 1 and 2, and for two terms in Year 3.
In a typical week, learning takes place through a combination of lectures and seminars. You will be able to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller group sessions. Contact hours may fall between 9am and 9pm, depending on your elective courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
Information coming soon.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you will need to dedicate time to self-study to prepare for coursework, presentations and exams. Our library and online resources will support your further reading and research. You will spend time in placements throughout the course, and clinical supervision and personal therapy are additional commitments.
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of contact hours (lectures, seminars, etc), independent learning, and assessments. You should expect to spend at least eight hours a week studying outside of University attendance.
Assessment
You will be assessed through coursework and continuous assessment.
Feedback summary
Information coming soon.
Dates and timetables
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
2019/2020 fees
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2020/2021 fees
TBA
* For full fees information please visit our fees information pages.
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. We have dedicated accommodation for postgraduate students (Devonport House) available from just £160 per person per week, with bills included. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost. Students based at the Medway Campus can also reside in student halls in Chatham or rent privately in the local area.
There is a range of financial support available to support your studies. This includes postgraduate loans, international scholarships, and options for current students and alumni to continue studying at the university.
We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Other costs
Further costs may include (but are not limited to):
- Resources : you may need to purchase books for your studies, as well as photocopying (estimate, £200 per year)
- Memberships : you will be required to become a student member of BACP, our professional validating body
- DBS and OH checks : you must have up-to-date DBS checks and OH screening, or evidence that these are not required. Fees are payable for these (estimate around £70 currently)
- Personal therapy: 40 hours of personal therapy is also required by the end of Year 2. This will cost around £40 (upwards) per hour
- Supervision: whilst most placements provide clinical supervision sometimes a student may have to access supervision on a private basis (estimated costs £40-60 per hour)
- Report writing : whilst most placements will provide reports on students (for course assessment purposes) for free some may charge for this (estimated costs £10-40 per report).
Will I have a work placement?
All students are required to be in a suitable placement throughout the course. You are responsible for arranging your placement with support from course staff.
How long is my placement?
You will need to be in a suitable placement throughout your time on the course. This will be both in term time and outside of it and usually on a weekly basis.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Graduates from the MSc Therapeutic Counselling course can pursue careers as professional counsellors or use the transferable counselling skills in a range of other professions (e.g. pastoral support; advice services etc.).
Do you provide employability services?
Our services are designed to help you achieve your potential and support your transition towards a rewarding graduate career.
The Employability and Careers Service provides support when you are preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles. It includes CV clinics, mock interviews and career skills workshops.
Each School also has its own Employability Officer, who works closely with the industry and will provide specific opportunities relevant to your own course.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Support from the department
All students are able to access the support services provided by the Student Wellbeing Service.
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