Course summary
Please note that as this is a part-time course, we are not able to sponsor students on this programme for a Student visa MA Psychotherapy and Counselling forms a key part of the professional training route for anyone wishing to become a registered psychotherapist. This three-year, part-time course builds on your existing knowledge foundation to give you a deep understanding of psychotherapy and the work of historical and contemporary figures. You’ll revisit theoretical perspectives including existential, psychoanalytic, humanistic and integrative – and start to develop your own approach to psychotherapy and counselling. Personal and professional development is a cornerstone of this course. Throughout your training, you’ll be encouraged to further evaluate and reflect upon your own personal beliefs and prejudices to prevent them from influencing your clinical practice. You must also engage in weekly personal psychotherapy sessions with a UKCP-registered therapist. This training will prepare you for professional practice, enabling you to develop your own practical skills within a safe classroom environment. Working in groups in masterclasses and during approved clinical placements, you’ll learn to apply your theoretical knowledge and acquired skills under the supervision of experienced practitioners. Your education, your way At the end of your second year, you'll choose the pathway to follow on the third year of your studies. You can specialise in integrative psychotherapy via the integrative pathway, or existential psychotherapy via the existential pathway, or you can undertake a significant piece of research in the field via the dissertation pathway. Clinical placements Clinical placements begin in your second year under the supervision of an experienced practitioner, enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge and skills in a professional context such as medical care, research agencies, charities, social services and private practice. You must accrue at least 100 hours of clinical practice to complete the course on the dissertation pathway, and at least 200 hours to complete the other pathways. This will involve at least half a day of practice each week, both during and outside term time. Your course leaders and the University’s Careers, Industry & Enterprise team will advise you on finding a placement. In order to be eligible to apply for one of the professional bodies (BACP or UKCP) you’ll need to have accrued at least 450 supervised client hours. Accreditation and next steps This course meets the accreditation criteria of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Upon successful completion, you'll be eligible to apply to one of our Postgraduate Certificate courses – in Existential or Integrative Psychotherapy – the final stage of your training for eligibility to apply to become a UKCP registered psychotherapist.
Modules
Year 1 Humanistic and Integrative Approaches to Psychotherapy Psychoanalytic Approaches to Psychotherapy Existential-Phenomenological Approaches to Psychotherapy/Practice Year 2 Contemporary Developments in Psychotherapy – Practice Contemporary Developments in Psychotherapy - Theory Year 3 – Existential Pathway Existential Psychotherapy: Practice and Reflexivity Perspectives in Existential Psychotherapy - Theory Year 3 – Integrative Pathway Integrative Psychotherapy in Practice Perspectives in Integrative Psychotherapy – Theory Year 3 – Dissertation Pathway Research in Psychotherapy and Counselling
How to apply
International applicants
Please note that as this is a part-time programme, we are not able to sponsor students on this programme for a Tier 4 visa.
Entry requirements
We're interested in your potential, as well as your prior achievements – and review each application comprehensively on its own merit. Minimum entry requirements for Level 7 – you'll need: - An undergraduate degree (or equivalent) - A minimum of six months’ relevant work experience - A letter of academic recommendation - A letter of recommendation in relation to your work experience - To have completed an introductory certificate in psychotherapy and counselling – a minimum of 120 hours - A professional CV that showcases a detailed description of each of your professional and voluntary positions, as well as your academic history Or: - A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in a position of responsibility in a helping and supportive role - A letter of recommendation in relation to your work experience - A letter of academic recommendation - A professional CV that showcases a detailed description of each of your professional and voluntary positions, as well as your academic history Experience of personal psychotherapy/counselling as a client is highly desirable, though not a mandatory requirement. You must also show you have the language skills, study skills and personal maturity to successfully complete this course. This is shown through a 500-700 word personal statement and an interview. During the interview, you'll be required to: - Engage in discussions and identify issues - Relate to, and engage well with, others - Share personal materials and experiences - Reflect on personal learning experiences
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £13000 | Year 1 |
| EU | £13000 | Year 1 |
| England | £13000 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £13000 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £13000 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £13000 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Dissertation fee in Year 3: £3,000
Non-refundable advance deposit:
UK students: £1,000
International students: £4,000
Sponsorship information
Find out more at https://www.regents.ac.uk/admissions/scholarships-and-funding
Provider information
Regent's University London
Inner Circle
Regent's Park
Westminster
NW1 4NS