Course summary
Our Person-Centred Counselling programme is the starting point for a career providing life-changing therapy. This programme is grounded in Carl Rogers’ theory of human potential, and training in this approach opens you to the self-knowledge needed to offer clients the deep connectedness at the heart of the therapeutic relationship. The postgraduate diploma runs part-time over two years and successful completion allows progression to the MSc. The master’s stage of the programme consists of a project or dissertation. This qualification is validated by, and meets the professional training requirements of, COSCA (Scotland’s professional body for counselling and psychotherapy) with the diploma consisting of a minimum 400 tutor contact hours and 100 client hours. The programme aims to enable students to:
- Understand the philosophy, theory and research of the person-centred approach
- Develop a high level of awareness of, and competence in, person-centred counselling relationships
- Understand person-centred therapeutic process
- Develop awareness of their professional developmental needs and how to fully use supervision
- Evaluate the importance of personal development in relation to training as a person-centred counsellor
- Consider the effect of personal experience, values and attitudes on practice
- Develop critical understanding of where the person-centred modality is placed in the field of counselling and the role counselling plays in society as a whole
- Place individual counselling practice within a sound ethical framework as outlined in the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions and the COSCA Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice
- Keep accurate and up-to-date records of client work in accordance with professional body ethical guidelines (BACP 2018, COSCA 2018)
Modules
Attendance, after the 4 day induction, is 1 full day each week on campus for part-time, or 2 full days each week on campus for full-time study. Learning on the PG Diploma prepares you to work within the counselling profession and is quite different from learning in other subjects. The emphasis is on experiential and relational learning which is central to the course operation and ethos. You’re encouraged to take responsibility for your own learning, to see learning as a tool that will help you achieve your goal of becoming a person-centred counsellor, able to confidently and comprehensively fulfil your personal and professional duties. Students are expected to be on placement as part of their training. All students will be offered a placement at The Bounds, our counselling and research centre, after successful completion of the programme’s ‘readiness to practice’ process. Students will also be supported by staff to approach agencies that offer counselling placements if they wish this additional/alternative opportunity. (Full registration on the PG Cert/PG Dip or MSc is required alongside ‘readiness to practise’ and a current Protecting Vulnerable Groups certificate (PVG) before students are able to undertake a practice placement)
Assessment method
A significant aim of the course is to support and encourage the development of 'reflexive practitioners’, able to offer and use constructive feedback. Through the process of self, peer, and tutor assessments, the programme members will have the opportunity to realise and understand the impact of their personal power and responsibility in the process of becoming recognised as professional counsellors.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Confederation of Scottish Counselling Agencies (COSCA)
How to apply
International applicants
When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country and to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs. In addition, it is important to check all immigration requirements regularly and before travelling, as they can change. Students without the necessary visa will be refused entry to the UK. You should allow plenty of time to organise your visa and ensure you are aware of all your responsibilities under the terms and conditions of your visa. Please note that the advice provided via the University is the Student Visa category of the UK's Points Based Immigration Scheme. For further information, please visit the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.
Entry requirements
Applicants will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with a 2:2 or above from a recognised university or body. In exceptional circumstances, applicants without this qualification may be admitted by achieving Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Please contact the programme director for guidance. Applicants must also prove they have relevant, credit-bearing counselling skills, totalling 60 credits, ideally from completion of Aberdeen University’s Counselling and Listening Skills courses 1 to 4. A student membership of Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA) is advised and a PVG check and certificate will be required at the start of the programme. Individuals on this course will need a high level of critical self-awareness and a willingness to reflect on their own process. Readiness to enter a programme which has at its centre the student’s own personal development is desirable. Voluntary or professional experience of support work with adults is also desirable.
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 | £10195 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £10195 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £10195 | Whole course |
| Wales | £10195 | Whole course |
| Channel Islands | £10195 | Whole course |
| Republic of Ireland | £10195 | Whole course |
| EU | £19865 | Whole course |
| International | £19865 | Whole course |
Additional fee information
Supervision: A minimum of 17 hours of professional supervision. Reduced rates for students are typically in the region of £30 to £40 per hour, while full supervision rates are in the region of £45 to £60 per hour.
Personal Therapy: Although not a compulsory component of this programme personal therapy is highly recommended. Costs between £30-£80 per session. Some agencies run a donation-based service.
There is a residential weekend at the Burn (www.theburn.co.uk) at the end of year one, allowing for deeper experiential learning away from the academic environment – costs available on request. There is a 2-day block on campus at the end of year 2.
Sponsorship information
Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships: www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/. The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme: The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of External Relations
King's College
Aberdeen
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