MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy

at Keele University

COURSE STRUCTURE

The MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy comprises of eight compulsory modules which must all be passed to achieve the MSc award.
 

Core Modules

Exploration in Counselling (15 credits)

Our Exploration in Counselling module aims to equip you with a solid grounding in person-centred theory, philosophy and practice in addition to an introduction to counselling research and an in-depth awareness of the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions (2018) and how this is applied in practice.
 

Research Methods (15 credits)

You will study a range of research methodologies used in the field of counselling and psychotherapy, such as Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, Autoethnography, Heuristic Inquiry, Narrative and Thematic Analysis as well as looking at different methods for gathering data.
 

Practicum Part 1 (15 credits) and Part 2 (15 credits)

This module aims to help you develop the practical skills, theoretical understanding of practice issues, personal and professional qualities and attributes, self-awareness and the experience on placement necessary to become a qualified counsellor. This will include 20 hours of personal therapy and a 100 hour counselling placement in a counselling agency (or agencies).
 

You are encouraged to identify and apply for a placement that fits with your career aspirations in counselling, and Keele students undertake placements in a very wide range of settings and with diverse client groups. Whilst it is your responsibility to secure a suitable placement, our dedicated Keele Placement Officer will be able to offer you support and guidance throughout this period.

• A 2i degree in any discipline or MSc with merit in any discipline
  OR
• Successful completion of the Keele Graduate Certificate in Counselling, with a mark of at least 60% in one assignment and recommendation from an academic mentor in the form of a Progression Report, which will include an assessment of your ability to work with clients
   

If you have not completed the Level 6 graduate certificate or the Keele BSc Psychology with Counselling, we also require you to have some experience of working with people in a helping capacity, whether voluntary or paid.
 

In line with the requirements of BACP, you will also need to demonstrate the following attributes:

• Self-awareness, maturity and stability
• Ability to make use of and reflect upon life experience
• Capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the course
• Ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirements
• Ability to form a helping relationship
• Ability to be self-critical and use both positive and negative feedback
• Awareness of the nature of prejudice and oppression
• Awareness of the nature of difference and equality
• Ability to recognise the need for personal and professional support
• Competence in or the aptitude to develop generic personal skills, including: literacy, numeracy, information technology, administrative skills, self-managements skills, communication and interpersonal skills.
   

Please note you will also need to address the requirements outlined above in your personal statement, in the application form and in response to the criteria questionnaire to be completed as part of the application process.

Applicants whose first language is not English must have an overall IELTS score of at least 7.0 with a score of at least 6.5 in each sub-test (or equivalent).

Please note: If English is not your first language, you will be required to undertake a diagnostic English language assessment on arrival at Keele, to determine whether English language support may help you succeed with your studies. An English language module may be compulsory for some students during their studies for this programme.

International - £20,800 per year
 

Keele counselling students go on to work in a wide range of counselling and mental health fields in the UK and internationally as well as progressing on to further study, research or specialist training.