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2024/25.

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.

Please note that some of the course will be delivered online in order to prepare you for the possibility of completing some working across online and telephone platforms while completing the supervised practice requirements of the course.

Interested in a different year?

Select your preferred

to view up to date information.

We received Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. This recognises our outstanding performance in student experience and outcomes.

Location

Greenwich Campus

Duration

3 years part-time

Start month

September

Fees information

For fee information related to this course, please see fees section below

What you should know about this course

  • Study one afternoon and evening per week over three years.
  • You will be fully supported in undertaking original research that is personally and professionally relevant.
  • Benefit from our flexible entry system if you have previous postgraduate counsellor training and are seeking an accredited Master’s level qualification.
  • On completion of the course, you will satisfy the training requirements for British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accreditation.
  • Located at the university's iconic Greenwich Campus.

Salwabil's story


Our MSc Therapeutic Counselling student Salwabil Miah explains why she chose the University of Greenwich.

What you will study

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Course information is currently unavailable for this programme. Please contact course-info@gre.ac.uk for more information.

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.

Come and meet us

We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.

Next Open Days

Got a question?

To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.

Entry requirements

An undergraduate (honours) degree at 2:1, or above.

For more information, use our contact form or call us on 020 8331 9000.

You can also read our admissions policy.

Further information about entry

PLUS 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 an exemption from the first year, allowing you to complete it in two years. However, the resulting MSc would not be a BACP-accredited award.

The MSc Therapeutic Counselling is more than just an academic programme. It 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 are 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. Please note that some teaching will be delivered online.

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.

Cohort Full time Part time Distance learning
Home N/A £2,208 per 30 credits N/A

Accommodation costs

Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.

Accommodation pages

Funding your study

There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.

Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.

Financial support

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).

Careers and placements

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 employability 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.

Accommodation information

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Apply now

If you are a UK student or have settled/pre-settled status (EU) and you want to study full-time then you apply through the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).

If you are a UK student or have settled/pre-settled status (EU) and you want to study part-time then you can apply directly via our online application form.

If you are from outside the UK, you can apply via UCAS, directly via our online application form or via one of our in-country representatives. If you require a student visa, you cannot study part-time at undergraduate level.