The University of Warwick
Psychotherapy and Counselling MSc
The University of Warwick

Key Course Facts

Course Description

Psychotherapy and Counselling, offered as a part time MSc with a clinical placement, will provide you with in-depth clinical training. Join Warwick's Centre for Lifelong Learning and work with field experts as you develop psychotherapeutic and counselling skills.

Course overview

The course provides an in-depth clinical training which integrates theory and practice from a range of psychotherapeutic and counselling approaches, framed distinctively by a holistic view of the self and human experience. The MSc is 3 years long (ending at the end of the third year, rather than the summer). However, in order to achieve practitioner registration, it is essential to complete a post MSc accreditation programme after this MSc which may last 1 or 2 academic years thereafter.

There are two routes to the MSc, both of which are accredited by the UKCP: Psychotherapist and Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. Both routes require 450 hours of supervised one-to-one clinical practice in order to reach registration by the UKCP. The key difference between the routes is that the psychotherapist route requires more hours of personal therapy, a mental health familiarisation placement (to be found by the trainee), some extra weekend training, and a summative assessment.

Skills from this degree

  • Use a range of meaningful and effective integrative approaches to develop relational skills for application to therapeutic practice
  • Address a broad range of client need including more complex and severe mental health difficulties
  • Apply a high level of relevant academic and professional knowledge to a range of settings, which provide counselling, psychotherapy and mental health services
  • Utilise personal development opportunities to enhance interpersonal skills
  • Acquire research skills and knowledge which are relevant to the counselling and psychotherapy field, and which can inform and enhance evidence-based practice

This information is applicable for 2024 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply.

There is a range of assessment used including case study, theory and reflective assignments, tutor and self-evaluation practice, research appraisal and a dissertation of 12-15,000 words. For the latter typically, you are asked to choose a topic of interest relevant to psychotherapy and counselling, which can form the basis of empirical research and have a positive impact on this professional field.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 5.5
    • Foundation / Pathway Courses
    • 7.0
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees Arts
    • 7.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees Business, Computer and Social Studies
    • 6.0
    • Undergraduate Degrees Faculty of Sciences excepting MORSE

We offer a variety of postgraduate funding options for study at the University of Warwick, from postgraduate loans, university scholarships, fee awards, to academic department bursaries. It's important that you apply for your postgraduate course first before you apply for a University of Warwick scholarship.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Psychotherapy and Counselling, MSc, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Minimum requirements

2:1 (BA/BSc Honours or equivalent) in psychology, social sciences, arts-related subject; basic counselling skills training and evidence of experience, of forming and sustaining helping relationships (either employed or voluntary).

Where appropriate, applicants with significant relevant study and professional and personal development qualifications and experience which does not equate to 2:1 level, will be considered on a case by case basis.

Demonstration of personal and practical readiness to train as a practising psychotherapist or psychotherapeutic counsellor.

Duration

3.years part-time (plus up to two years on a post-master's accreditation programme for registration as a psychotherapist or psychotherapeutic counsellor).

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements. This course requires the following:

Band A

Overall IELTS (Academic) score of 65 and component scores.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

Costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Warwick in top UK and global rankings.

See all 37 university rankings of The University of Warwick

About The University of Warwick

The University of Warwick, often shortened to Warw, is a government funded research university situated on the outer limits of Coventry, England. With an eye on the future, Warw intends to establish itself by 2030 as one of the world’s exceptional universities, helping to transform the region, country and world for collective good by the application of research. The main campus is located between Coventry and Warwickshire on almost three square kilometres of leafy woodland.

List of 313 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Warwick - Course Catalogue

Student composition of The University of Warwick

Total number of students enrolled at The University of Warwick by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
undergraduates:
18235
postgraduates:
7835
Total:
26070
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Psychotherapy”: Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Source: Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
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Where is this programme taught

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