Clinical Counselling

Entry requirements

Acceptance on the course is subject to an assessment interview. Applicants will also be expected to have the following:

A 2:2 honours degree, professional qualification or equivalent

A minimum intermediate counselling skills qualification at Level 2. Your counselling skills course should require in-person attendance, practical skills and will normally have been completed within a five-year framework. Applicants who completed their level 2 counselling skills qualification over five years ago and those with a degree that contains a module involving counselling skills should contact us for advice.

Applicants must apply for an Occupational Health check.

Months of entry

October

Course content

Are you ready to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives? The MA Clinical Counselling course at the University of Chester offers a professionally accredited pathway into counselling, designed to help you develop the skills, awareness, and confidence needed to work as a person-centred therapeutic practitioner.

Accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), this course meets the rigorous professional standards required for entry onto the BACP Register, recognised as the quality benchmark for counselling practitioners in the UK.

Based at Exton Park campus, you’ll study in a nurturing environment with access to a range of dedicated learning facilities, including seminar rooms, counselling training spaces, and the Seaborne Library. With bookable study pods and 24-hour computer labs, the campus offers everything you need to thrive during your training.

You’ll join a diverse group of students from varied professional and personal backgrounds, creating a collaborative atmosphere. Through interactive learning and shared experience, you’ll explore what it means to practise counselling with authenticity, sensitivity and ethical responsibility.

At the heart of this course is the person-centred approach, helping you to build a strong therapeutic identity while introducing key theories and emerging ideas within contemporary counselling. Not only will you grow as a practitioner, but also as a person, as you undertake experiential learning, reflective practice, and personal development.

During second and third year, you’ll have the opportunity to put theory into practice through a supervised placement. Working directly with clients and completing at least 100 clinical hours, you’ll also log 50 hours of related professional experience and receive regular supervision in both individual and group formats. You will gain genuine experience and insight that will prepare you for your future career, helping you apply your skills with confidence and care in real therapeutic settings. A robust Fitness to Practise process also ensures that you’re fully supported and prepared before beginning placement.

Graduates go on to work in diverse areas of counselling, including private practice, the NHS, charities, education, and mental health services. Some progress into clinical supervision or further research. The MA also provides the foundation for doctoral-level study for those wishing to pursue academic or specialist routes. The University’s award-winning Career and Employability team offers practical one-to-support with job applications, interview preparations and CV writing, so that you can take your next steps with confidence.

The MA Clinical Counselling is a part-time course delivered over three years, combining campus-based learning with some online materials. You’ll take part in seminars, skills workshops, group process work, personal development sessions, and a major research project aligned with your professional interests.

For more details on how to apply, visit our Applying for a Postgraduate Course page.

Information for international students

English Language Requirements

For those who do not have IELTS or an acceptable in-country English language qualification, the University of Chester has developed its own online English language test which applicants can take for just £50.

Fees and funding

Postgraduate Funding | University of Chester