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MA - Counselling and Psychotherapy

If you're interested in supporting people and the world of the psyche intrigues you, you can make an immense impact on the lives of others by becoming a counsellor or psychotherapist.

Develop as a therapist and explore your interests through a range of practical exercises and academic challenges. In your clinical practice, support people as they work through their life challenges, mental health struggles, relationship difficulties and experiences of loss.

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British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Counselling and Psychotherapy cover image

Course Overview

On this course, you will develop understanding and practical skills to support your work with others as they explore and experience various forms of psychological difficulty and distress. You will encounter different models of mental health and wellbeing, with a focus on developing therapeutic practice grounded in the person-centred and wider humanistic approaches. You may work with clients presenting with a wide range of issues – including those who are experiencing or have experienced difficulties such as grief, loss, addiction, anxiety, low mood or trauma.

On this course you will...

Explore and apply counselling and psychotherapeutic literature to current issues, contexts and experiences with a specific focus on the person centred modality.
Be given high quality support and guidance by our lecturing team who are active in their research and practice.
Learn valuable transferrable skills in PG research, which are highly sought after by employers.
Have the opportunity to choose topics and areas that you want to learn more about to tailor your learning experience through your assessments e.g. ethical dilemmas, literature reviews and case studies.
On graduation, you will be eligible to apply for individual membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and may also apply for registration, subject to passing the BACP Certificate of Proficiency.

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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
Course LocationLancaster
Institute Institute of Health
Mode of DeliveryFace to Face
Course Duration Part-time: 3 Years
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardMA
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysLancaster
All

Minimum entry requirements

2:2

Honours degree

UK Tuition fees

£8,975

Entry in academic year 2025/26

£997 per 20 credit module. Subsequent year modules may be subject to inflation.

£9,240

Entry in academic year 2026/27

£1,027 per 20 credit module. Subsequent year modules may be subject to inflation.

International Tuition fees

£14,900

Entry in academic year 2025/26

£16,000

Entry in academic year 2026/27

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

You will learn to adopt a person-centred approach to your work, with the opportunity to learn about and critically compare and contrast other approaches to therapy. Though the focus is on offering therapy to adults, you will develop skills and understanding that can later be developed to support work with couples, children and families. Emphasis is placed on developing research skills and your understanding of evidence-based practice.

This course runs one day a week in Lancaster. During the course, you will need to complete 100 hours of clinical practice. You will be expected to make arrangements for your own practice but will be offered support from the team. In the first year, you will attend a weekend residential that focuses on your personal and professional development. You will also be expected to have 10 hours of your own personal therapy at some time during the course.

During the course, you will need to do 100 supervised counselling practice hours. You will be expected to make arrangements for your own placement but will be offered support from the counselling team.

In the first semester, you will attend a weekend residential that focuses on your personal and professional development, and you will also be expected to have 10 hours of your own personal therapy.

Year one

Theory and Practice 1
Prepare for supervised Person Centred practice personally, professionally and theoretically. You will develop an in depth understanding of Person Centred Theory and how you can offer and communicate the core conditions of the approach to clients.
Theory and Practice 2
Develop a critical theoretical awareness and professional understanding of the theories and experiences of psychological and emotional distress.
Personal and Professional Development 1
Develop a critical theoretical awareness and in-depth professional understanding of ethical practice and decision making with attention to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework and relevant legislation.

Year two

Personal and Professional Development 2
Develop as an ethical, reflexive and effective practitioner, exploring the complexity of therapeutic practice and linking it with theory, research and self understanding.
Attachment and Adversity
Develop a critical theoretical understanding and professional appreciation of theories of attachment and adversity.
Understanding Therapeutic Diversity
Develop a complex understanding of several therapeutic approaches and critically compare them to the Person Centred Approach.

Year three

Research Methods
Select, devise, analyse and synthesise research and evidence-based practice findings.
Undertaking and Presenting Research
Undertake an in-depth investigation on a specialised research question of your choice related to therapy practice and to present it effectively.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

A variety of teaching and learning methods are used throughout the programme. Special consideration has been given to the Learning, Teaching and Assessment strategies of the future MSc candidates. Whilst we acknowledge their previous undergraduate experiences, these must be balanced against an entirely new subject area. The strategies used are designed to match the learning outcomes and to provide every student with some experience of methods best suited to their own learning style, encouraging independent learning and acknowledging previous study. They are designed to:

be student-centred, flexible and modern whilst being challenging and stimulating;
support different learners’ needs at different stages of development;
be fully supported by, and integrated with, technological approaches such as the Blackboard virtual learning environment (VLE) and the electronic portfolio, PebblePad;
actively ensure the linkage of theory with practice;
explicitly consider, value and incorporate service user and carer perspectives, involving service users and carers directly, as per the Institute strategy;
impart academic rigour to the teaching and learning processes;
Further develop the student as independent and self-directed, inculcating the ethos of lifelong and reflective learning;
develop the student’s abilities to learn effectively and progress academically, performing academically at level 7 in terms of achieving the programme aims and outcomes through a variety of assessments, including an in-depth evidence-based dissertation as well as leadership, change management and service innovation.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching and learning methods will include discourse, discussion, debate, small group work, seminar presentations, reflection-on and in-practice, context-based learning (also referred to as problem-based learning), and flexible, distributed learning (FDL) using Blackboard. Each module will facilitate the further development of literacy and I.T. skills, as well as the development of other key lifelong learning skills, and both tutors and students will monitor and evaluate this development via a Personal and Professional Development Profile (PPDP) encouraging the use of Pebblepad.

How you will be assessed

A full range of assessment methods has been selected in order to enhance student learning and to help students to demonstrate the extent to which they have achieved all the module learning outcomes, and, overall, the programme aims. Each module’s learning outcomes relate to the module assessment item(s). Students have an opportunity across the programme to self-reflect on their progression and their development. These self-reflections contribute to and are evidenced in assessments through a variety of means.

Types and methods of assessment will include group seminars and presentations; essays; a portfolio of evidence (achievement of clinical competences and written evidence); viva, examination; OSCE/practical skills assessments; map of patient/client experience; reflective essay; community health profile; reflective incident recording; poster presentation; dissertation

Modules use formative and summative assessment so that students progress through a module in a structured and constructive way and build knowledge for practice in a coherent and logical way. Formative assessments are designed so that feedback on the individual student’s performance is provided prior to the submission of the final, summative assessment – though this does not contribute to the final module mark or the credit awarded. The wordage – or equivalent – for both formative and summative assessments is counted towards the whole module assessment wordage.

Overview

Students should have a 2:2 or above in a relevant undergraduate degree.

Introduction to Counselling course at level 3 or above. Minimum of 30 hours tutor contact time and taken in last five years.

Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course, please contact the Enquiry Centre for further details.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be considered for relevant prior learning at the same academic level.

More information about levels and credits.

Selection criteria

You will need to have already completed a minimum of 30 hours of counselling skills training at level 3 or above in the last five years (this must include 30 hours tutor contact time or more) and be deemed to have a level of counselling ability that would enable you to go out on placement in the first semester. You will need to undertake a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and be accepted as a member of the BACP. Your application needs to be supported by a statement from your referee. This will need to reflect on both your academic and personal capacity to undertake this course. Ideally, this would be from a tutor from a current or previous course; alternatively one from your manager would be sufficient.

To meet the requirement of the 30 hours of counselling skills training, you could consider the Introduction to Counselling Skills module.

You will be interviewed for selection for this programme by a member of the programme team.

Non-Standard Entry

Under exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Programme Leader, we may consider applications from students who do not meet the standard entry requirements. These applications are considered on a case by case basis and we work hard to ensure parity within such an individualised process.

Applicants may have qualifications gained overseas, professional training (for example – professions such as nursing, social work) and/or counselling experience within an alternative therapeutic modality. We need to ensure that, whatever qualification is presented, there is a degree of equivalence with respect to academic level.

The interview process for non-standard entry reflects the unique position of these applicants. Under some circumstances, and to determine levels of theoretical understanding, we may require applicants to complete a written piece of work and/or to present evidence of their capacity to offer counselling skills adhering to appropriate ethical and professional standards.

If you believe your application may fall within this category, you are strongly advised to contact the Programme Leader and/or Admissions Team for guidance.

DBS Check

Enhanced DBS with checks against the Children's and Adults' Barred Lists

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK Tuition fees

£8,975
Entry in academic year 2025/26

£9,240
Entry in academic year 2026/27

International Tuition fees

£14,900
Entry in academic year 2025/26

£16,000
Entry in academic year 2026/27

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

Stationery, printing and digital storage

Approximately £30 to £40 per year

RequiredPer yearStationery

You should budget for stationery and consumables for personal use. These may include notebooks, pens and pencils, digital storage devices, printing and photocopying. The amount you spend will depend on your study preferences.

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check

£61.00 (from 1 October 2026)

RequiredOne-offChecks, clearances and health requirements

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required before you start placements. The Entry requirements section for your course shows which barred lists the check covers.

DBS checks for applicants

Books and journals

Approximately £50 to £300 over the course of your studies

OptionalThroughout the courseBooks and journals

Most core textbooks and journals are available through the University library. You may choose to purchase personal copies of books or other resources used to support your studies.

Some courses recommend particular books or provide an estimated annual budget for purchasing personal copies. Search for your course below for details.

Technology requirements

Cost depends on the equipment and internet service you choose

RequiredThroughout the courseDigital learning and IT

You will need regular access to a laptop or computer capable of accessing the internet and running software such as a word processor and Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 is provided as part of your studies. You will also need a reliable internet connection. The amount you spend will depend on the equipment and internet service you choose.

Information on borrowing university laptops

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) student membership

£94 per year (2026/27 fee)

RequiredPer yearProfessional membership and registration

Student membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is needed for your course. The fee is subject to an annual increase.

External clinical supervision

Usually £30 to £60 per hour

RequiredVariableOther

While you are in supervised practice you need regular clinical supervision with an approved supervisor: at least 90 minutes each calendar month, with more if you exceed 12 hours of client sessions in a month. On the MA and PgD this runs from shortly before supervised practice begins (around March or April of Year 1) until it ends.

Personal counselling or psychotherapy

Usually £30 to £60 per hour

RequiredVariableOther

You must complete at least 10 hours of personal counselling or psychotherapy during the course with a person centred therapist on our approved list.

Professional indemnity insurance

Approximately £50 to £70 a year

ConditionalPer yearOther

If the insurance at your supervised practice setting does not cover you, you will need to arrange and pay for your own professional indemnity insurance while you are in supervised practice.

Supervised practice travel and recording equipment

Cost varies

RequiredThroughout the courseOther

You will need to pay for travel to and from your supervised practice setting, and for audio recording and playback equipment.

Year 1 training residential

Approximately £250-£300 (2027/28)

RequiredOne-offField tripsYear 1

The Year 1 training residential is a core part of the course and attendance is required. You are responsible for your own travel to the venue; students often car-share to keep costs down.

Clothing for supervised practice

Cost depends on what you already own

ConditionalThroughout the courseClothing and uniform

You will need to dress appropriately for your supervised practice setting. What is expected depends on the organisation and its client group.

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Location
Lancaster Campus
Lancaster is the Red Rose heartland, a student haven full of history and culture. With iconic stone architecture, parkland, and a caring community, this is the place to get involved. The campus houses top-quality facilities tailored to the needs of life-savers, world changers, and future leaders.
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MA - Counselling and Psychotherapy