Counselling

Entry requirements

- First or upper second class honours degree. All offers made to those still completing a BA/BSc are contingent upon applicants meeting these requirements.

- Candidates are required to have experience of working in a helping and caring role in either a paid or voluntary capacity. This experience should demonstrate the candidates ability to support individuals in distress and also engage in listening and communication skills.

- Evidence must be provided of previous counselling skills practice, including one of the following:

1. Level 2 or 3 counselling certificate

2. Successful completion of a higher education module that includes a core element of assessed counselling skills practice

3. A written reference from an employer or tutor that demonstrates you application, proficiency and use of interpersonal and listening skills in a counselling context.

4. Equivalent (please contact us to discuss this).

Applicants will be required to pass an enhanced DBS clearance.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This degree provides opportunities for students to develop their knowledge and skills as counsellors and/or researchers in the field and is especially suited to students considering a career as a practicing counsellor.

In the first year of the programme, students are introduced to counselling theory and ethics. Due to the course leading to a professional qualification in counselling, much of the learning is experiential where students will develop their counselling skills as well as how to apply theory to their work. In the second-year students can begin to gain practical experience as trainee counsellors, learn about relevant clinical research paradigms, and develop skills and knowledge as reflective practitioners. As a key component of learning and assessment on the programme students will need to will develop awareness of the impact of their intersecting identities, psychological development, and relational past on their interpersonal and professional relationships as counsellors in training.

Students will learn research and evaluation skills during the second year of the programme. As a talking therapy, counselling is informed by both outcome research on what works for clients and process research on client experience of the counselling process and relationship. Research themes include determining what counselling skills and interventions are most effective for specific groups or issues, what is the best context for providing a service, and how to build inclusive and caring counselling relationships.

On the MSc programme, a third-year a research thesis is completed based on a research topic with relevance to counselling theory or practice. The MSc programme will provide graduates with the skills required to refine research questions and to use a variety of methods for answering them. Students will be encouraged to develop an original research idea, complete an independent research project, and consider how to disseminate their findings to different audiences.

Following completion of the PG Diploma Counselling, students can apply for individual registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) pending completion of professional practice hours.

Information for international students

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in each element.

For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/

These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.

Fees and funding

For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, you can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.