MA Counselling and Psychotherapy  MA Counselling and Psychotherapy University of East London ../webroot/files/Institutions/cover_photo/1563945887University-of-East-London-21.jpg

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. 

The final award is an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy, with advanced standing of 120 credits for previous qualifications or training.

We follow current research into what actually works in counselling and psychotherapy, which means we use an integrative approach, employing a variety of techniques to respond to the needs and preferences of individual clients.

This three-year course (two years for the Diploma) is ideally suited to those with a part-time job, although it can also work for those with full-time commitments. The basis of study is one afternoon/evening per week.

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA :-  Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

We would normally expect you to have Grade C in GCSE English and Maths. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS :-  Applicants must have gained.

• A degree with a minimum 2.1 Honours in any discipline
• Relevant clinical experience and the ability for self-managed learning and have adequate opportunities to carry out formal client work

Fulfilling the academic requirements is not enough to secure an interview. Please bear in mind when you are writing your personal statement that we are looking for people who can show self-awareness, maturity and stability and be self-reflective, non-defensive and able to use both positive and negative feedback.

We place great emphasis on proof of vocation.  We strongly suggest that you include in your application details of any experience and activities which further support your application. 

Many of our successful candidates can demonstrate vocation over three main areas as detailed below, although this list is not exhaustive:

1. Undertaking a short introductory/preparatory course in counselling and/or psychotherapy (lasting between 3 and 12 months).This course usually (but not always) involves gaining experience of counselling in small groups (‘triads’).
2. Undertaking paid or voluntary work which involves working with and/or listening to people in distress.
3. Undertaking personal therapy.We do not need to know the reasons you sought it; we are more interested in your experience of it.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS :- Overall IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening (or recognised equivalent). If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course. Find out more here.

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, including essays, presentations, process reports and your dissertation. You will be assessed on your practical skills, on your personal journal and on your professional log, which is an ongoing record of your client work, supervision, personal development and training.

The course is designed to provide an education and training in an integrative approach to psychological counselling and therapy to a level appropriate for safe, ethical and effective practice.

Topics of study on the Diploma, which constitutes the BACP accredited training course, include: theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy; models for integration; theoretical frameworks (for example, person-centred, cognitive-behavioural, mindfulness based cognitive therapy and gestalt); and professional and clinical studies – including the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice.

You will also engage in practical skills training, personal development and clinical supervision; you will study social context/multiculturalism and common client presenting problems, including mental health issues. 

If you choose to stay on for a third year to take your MA, your work will be based on clinical practice and an independent research project or dissertation.