MSc Counselling Studies

Institution University of Edinburgh
Method At the institution
Location Edinburgh
Type Masters
Course fee By request

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MSc Counselling Studies

Entry requirements Entry Requirements Candidates should possess either: * a UK 2:1 honours degree or its equivalent if outside the UK, in any subject; * or a good lower second class degree together with a strong personal statement, normally including relevant experience and/or references confirming aptitude for study at a postgraduate level; * or professional qualifications equivalent to an honours degree; All candidates should demonstrate high levels of motivation through their personal statement indicating why they wish to study counselling, and demonstrating an understanding of counselling and the capacity to reflect on personal aptitude for work in this field.
Academic title MSc Counselling Studies
Course description The programme offers advanced academic study of counselling and related practices. It aims to foster the development of critical reflection on the field by professionally qualified practitioners and others. It complements professional training in counselling, by providing students from a range of backgrounds with critical perspectives on counselling and related practices.

This taught masters firmly locates the practice of counselling within the field of social-science enquiry. Distinctive features of this degree include close links with professional training in counselling and with social-science research concerned with counselling and society. It includes the professionally validated Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies, three other substantive taught courses and a dissertation based on empirical research.

Learning Outcomes

The MSc in Counselling Studies provides:

    * in-depth knowledge of the theories informing counselling and psychotherapy;
    * social-science perspectives on debates about counselling and psychotherapy;
    * critical appreciation of the key debates, research methods and professional issues in counselling and related fields;
    * transferable interpersonal, conceptual and analytical skills, including critical thinking, self-evaluation and research.

This degree enhances the career prospects of practitioners using counselling skills in related fields such as healthcare, social work or education. It is also of interest to social scientists and researchers specialising in the study of health and illness, and the practice and cultural significance of the talking therapies.

How You Will Be Taught

Teaching and learning methods include lectures, theory seminars and independent study. Assessment is through essays and the dissertation. In addition, the Postgraduate Certificate component involves experiential group work, practice-skills workshops and individual tutorials, with self and peer assessment and portfolio work, complementing essay-based assessment. The programme provides a high level of student-tutor contact and close supervision of both listening practice and research, in line with professional and academic requirements.