Course summary
Develop your theoretical understanding, hone your practical skills and achieve a higher level of personal awareness and resilience by studying counselling at a postgraduate level. This MSc equips you with the skills you need to offer emotional support for people experiencing problems in their lives. Join the only Masters programme in the UK to provide comprehensive training in the pluralistic framework for counselling and psychotherapy integration. This means you’ll absorb a wide range of theories and interventions, learning how best to adapt your approach to the needs of your clients. We enjoy a rich tradition of providing training in counselling and counselling skills. Our teaching staff are highly respected leaders in their field, and you’ll be joining a vibrant community of practitioners and past and current students. Abertay has a strong research orientation, and the Tayside Centre for Counselling (TCC) is based on campus. There are opportunities for you to be involved in projects that are influencing and developing the role and effectiveness of counselling interventions in modern society.
Modules
Year 1:- Introduction to Counselling Theory and Skills (CNS007) Provides students with core counselling skills, theoretical knowledge and opportunities for personal and professional development. The Process of Counselling (CNS008) An introduction to the process of using counselling skills in practice and strategies for facilitating therapeutic change within the pluralistic framework. This module will allow students to conceptualise counselling within professional and supervisory contexts. Advanced Theories and Approaches (CNS011) Provides students with a deepened and extended understanding of theoretical models of counselling to develop their capacity to use theory to facilitate change in clients. Year 2:- Professional Practice 1 (CNS012) Provides students with a supportive and critically challenging arena to reflect on and explore theoretical, ethical, professional and personal issues arising from the research and the application in practice of theory and interventions. Foundations Of Counselling Practice (CNS009) Provides students with essential learning in counselling theory. This module addresses key areas of practice including counselling contracts, ethical issues, personal soundness, supervision and professional skills. Theories and Approaches in Counselling (CNS010) An in-depth examination of the skills, concepts and professional knowledge required to use a pluralistic framework for counselling practice. It covers the framework and common interventions and approaches which are used in conjunction with it. Teaching also involves practice skills in goal collaboration, case-formulation and client process monitoring. Year 3:- Professional Practice 2 (CNS507) This module focuses on practice placement, monitoring and supervision. In addition it provides the student with an opportunity to explore critical issues around the relationship between theory, practice and research in relation to a collaborative pluralistic framework through a collaborative project. Professional Challenge and Personal Resilience (CNS508) The module allows the student to integrate theoretical and practical knowledge in order to demonstrate their effectiveness as a counsellor and begin preparation for their subsequent career.
Assessment method
Assessment is through a range of methods including case-studies, theory essays, literature reviews, practice observations, and reflective accounts, along with reports from supervisors and practice placement. Assessment tasks are integrated in to the course and spread through the three years. Formative assessment is ongoing and the programme team provide feedback on practice skills and activities in class.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
How to apply
International applicants
We are unable to consider applications from international students who require a Student Visa for this programme due to UKVI Regulations.
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally have: An undergraduate degree (2.2 or better in any subject) which may be supplemented with professional experience and evidence of ability to study at postgraduate level Interest in counselling as a profession or career/personal enhancement Some experience in helping professionally or voluntarily Two references (personal and professional) All applicants are interviewed as part of the selection process. All applicants are required to undertake a criminal records check. Overseas/EU - All applicants are required to provide certified proof of competence in English Language and the University's minimum requirements are: IELTS 7.0 (no individual test less than 7.0).
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Scotland | £7900 | Whole course |
| England | £10400 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £10400 | Whole course |
| Wales | £10400 | Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | £10400 | Whole course |
| EU | £17000 | Whole course |
| International | £17000 | Whole course |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
International/EU fees are £18,000 for the following courses:-
MSc Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity
MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence and User Experience
MProf Games Development
MSc Computer Games Technology
Sponsorship information
A limited number of fees-only PSAS places are available to those who meet the eligibility criteria of the Postgraduate Student Allowances Scheme of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.
Provider information
Abertay University
Bell Street
Dundee
DD1 1HG
Course contact details
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