Course summary
This programme's aim is to develop a stable mindfulness practice, to study and research its application in a selected professional context and learn to teach mindfulness. This is done through a combination of experiential training, online forums and regular one to one practice reviews with an experienced mindfulness teacher. The unique focus of this course is a compassionate approach to mindfulness practice that is the basis for deepening insight, which then enriches one’s life and work. Mindfulness is an innate capacity of the mind to be aware of the present moment in a non-judgemental way. It enables us to access inner resources for coping effectively with stress, difficulty and illness. This promotes a way of being that helps us to take better care of ourselves and lead healthier lives. The studies in Mindfulness MSc is run as a Partnership between the University of Aberdeen and the Mindfulness Association Ltd, with the Mindfulness Association delivering the experiential training in Mindfulness, Compassion and Insight, and the University delivering the academic training. You can join this MSc programme if you have a first degree or equivalent professional experience, and a professional, work or voluntary context within which to explore mindfulness. The MSc is suitable for beginners as well as those who already have an established mindfulness practice. The training is entirely secular.
Modules
The Mindfulness, Compassion and Insight courses will each be taught over two residential weekend workshops at Samye Ling Tibetan Centre with a 5-day retreat on Holy Isle at the end of Years 1 and 2. Between practice weekends students are supported by regular one-on-one telephone sessions with a designated mindfulness teacher, as well as online forums and tasks that focus more on the academic input. The programme is available in e-learning mode via the university’s online learning environment. The year-end retreats will provide a grounding in teaching Mindfulness, which can be supplemented by a 5-day teacher training retreat for those who wish to teach the Mindfulness Based Living Course (MBLC) 8 week programme.
Assessment method
Participants are encouraged to be active and reflective learners and great emphasis is placed on professional action in the workplace setting. Formative assessment is a feature of all courses. Formative and summative assessments are designed to arise naturally in the workplace and from course work. Most assessment tasks focus on workplace applications and/or critical reflection on mindfulness and its application. Each course is assessed by a set assignment
How to apply
International applicants
As this programme is taught wholly online, there is no requirement to apply for a visa. The Mindfulness, Compassion and Insight courses all have two-weekend workshops (2 per semester). All of these weekends are taught online. For each of these modules, the first weekend can also, for those who wish to, be attended as a residential which takes place at Samye Ling Tibetan Centre. In each year of the programme, there is an end-of-year 6-day retreat on the Holy Island which is available either online or in person. Between practice and weekends, students are supported by regular one-on-one sessions with a designated mindfulness teacher, as well as online forums and tasks that focus more on academic input.
Entry requirements
The Mindfulness MSc is open to anyone with a first degree or equivalent experience who would like to explore in a rigorous way Mindfulness in their work or in some aspect of their life experience. Any work context is relevant from acting to the oil industry, police to parenting, drug and alcohol rehab to training riders in dressage. An undergraduate degree (Hons 2.2 or better) is a normal requirement, but applications will be considered from individuals with other professional qualifications and relevant experience. It is also required that applicants provide evidence of having regular access to a practice context that allows for the application and evaluation of mindfulness techniques in a professional setting.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 6.0 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 90 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 21 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818 |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online test is not accepted. |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for 1 year). Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course. | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | C | Overall - 176 with: Listening - 162 or above; Reading - 162 or above; Speaking - 162 or above; Writing - 169 or above. |
To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test. Postgraduate Higher requirements are used by the Schools of Business; Divinity, History and Philosophy; Education; Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture; Law; and Social Sciences. The MSc in Oil and Gas Enterprise Management and the MSc in Integrated Petroleum Geoscience also make use of the Postgraduate Higher requirements. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your degree programme, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £1450 | Credit |
| Northern Ireland | £1450 | Credit |
| Scotland | £1450 | Credit |
| Wales | £1450 | Credit |
| Republic of Ireland | £1450 | Credit |
| EU | £2300 | Credit |
| International | £2300 | Credit |
| Channel Islands | £2300 | Credit |
Additional fee information
Fees for this programme are charged per 30 credits and you only pay for the credits you want to study in the upcoming term. It's up to you how many credits you take each term, which gives you control over your costs and your workload. Taking fewer credits will increase the length of your studies. Cost per 30 credits for this degree, starting in academic year 2023-24 is £1,450 (Home/RUK) or £2,300 (EU/Int'l). Tuition fees typically rise a little each academic year (normally around 5-9% increase).
Please note that the cost of accommodation at the teaching weekends and retreats is not covered by the tuition fees.
Sponsorship information
View the University of Aberdeen Online Prospectus programme page to find out about any scholarships and funding you may be eligible to apply for.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of External Relations
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX