MA Counselling and Psychotherapy

Course Summary

The MA Counselling and Psychotherapy top-up course is aimed at students who have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy or equivalent professional training. You can also use it to build on previous counselling and therapy qualifications or training, or for an MA degree through independent research. Students take an independent study approach, supported by individual academic supervision and workshops on research methodology. You can also use it to build on previous counselling and therapy qualifications or training, or for an MA degree through independent research. Students take an independent study approach, supported by individual academic supervision and workshops on research methodology.

Your Future Career

In recent years, around half to two-thirds of students leave after completing their Diploma (which is the professional qualification), with the remainder staying on for a final year of MA study. Even if you do not go on to work as a counsellor or psychotherapist, this course is a strong supplement and support for work you may already be doing in health, social care or education.

Completing the course often leads to career progression. Many past students have returned to previous jobs while establishing and developing their own counselling practice as a second strand to their careers. In several cases this has proved successful enough to become their main source of employment. “Many of our graduates become portfolio workers,” says Course Leader, Gordon Jinks. “They leave the course and carry on doing whatever they have been doing, but they also start doing some sessions as counsellors.