Counselling Studies and Health Communication PgDip/MSc

Ulster University

The overall aim of this programme is to provide students with a comprehensive and rigorous academic grounding in a range of counselling and health communication theories, approaches and practical skills. The programme offers students an opportunity to learn about the conscious and unconscious psychological and biopsychosocial factors that underpin individual feelings, thoughts and behaviours across the lifespan, and within the context of the couple, the family and the group.

The programme is underpinned by a number of research-informed approaches to pedagogy and practice, designed to facilitate the development of observation and analytical skills and the capacity for self-awareness, self-reflection and insight.

While this course is not formal counsellor training, it does provide a solid academic grounding for students who wish to pursue professional counselling or psychotherapy training and accreditation following graduation. It also facilitates professionals extending and deepening their understanding of their own profession, plus pursue further training in a range of professions, e.g. counselling and psychotherapy, healthcare communication, psychology, social work, health and social care, medicine, nursing, youth work, law, community work, teaching, human resources and business.

Previous students have developed their work activities in Counselling and associated areas. Additionally, past students have used the programme themes to support their existing work in areas including community work, youth work, education, and health care. The course would not enable you to practice as a qualified counsellor. However, the course can contribute towards accreditation with professional bodies. Professional bodies such as National Counselling Society (NCS) and British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) can provide details on the eligibility criteria for counsellor accreditation. Please contact these professional bodies directly for further information. There are specific qualifications required to become a qualified counselling psychologist, for example you would need to have an undergraduate degree in Psychology. Students can exit with PGDip.