MPsy Psychotherapy and Counselling Interviews

MPsy Psychotherapy and Counselling Interviews

We look forward to welcoming you to Plymouth Marjon University for your interview.

Preparing for your Interview

There is no formal preparation required, nor will there be any trick questions designed to catch you - our main aim is for candidates to be themselves.

The MPsy is both academically challenging and personally demanding. It requires not only intellectual ability, but also emotional resilience, self-awareness, and the capacity to engage with personal development as well as professional training.

Therefore, our interview has a two-way process:

It allows us to explore whether you show the qualities, values, and aptitude for training as a counsellor/psychotherapist
It also gives you the opportunity to reflect on whether this is the right course, and the right time, for you.

Prior to your interview, you may find it helpful familiarise yourself with the following ethical frameworks that underpin the MPsy:

BACP (2018) Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions: https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/
NCPS Code of Ethics: https://nationalcounsellingsociety.org/about-us/code-of-ethics

Interview Format and Typical Schedule

Interviews are predominantly held in-person at the Plymouth Marjon University campus, but may occasionally be held online via Microsoft Teams, using a similar schedule to the below.

If your interview is held online, and you have not used Microsoft Teams before, please download the free software here (https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software) and take some time to familiarise yourself with it.

ll short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview. This allows you to experience a range of activities that enable you to find out more about Marjon University, whilst also being interviewed for the course. The interview itself will include an information session about the programme, a 15-minute interactive group task and a 20-minute individual interview. Activities are facilitated by several of the teaching staff alongside local clinicians.

Areas focused upon in interview

Throughout the interview process, applicants will be rated on their demonstration of the following skills and values:

Capacity to study
Commitment to the profession
Oral and written communication skills
Analytical ability
Self-reflection
Knowledge and demonstration of selected NHS core values (see www.nhs.uk) such as compassion, respect and dignity

Interview Schedule

Please see below the schedule for the interview sessions (timings may change slightly depending on day and numbers of attendees)

Time	Activity
08:30-09:00	Candidates and guests arrive and register at reception
09:00-09:45	Campus Tour
09:45-10:15	Allied Health and Nursing Department Welcome Talk Meet current students, staff, and other candidates from different Health and Wellbeing courses. Learn more about Plymouth Marjon University.
10:15-10:45	Introduction to MPsy Psychotherapy and Counselling Talk Meet fellow MPsy candidates (max. 12) and the MPsy lecturers. Learn more about the MPsy degree.
10.45-11:30	Group Interview Lecturers will observe candidates’ interpersonal, communication, and relational skills during a small-group task. Afterwards, each group will present back their ideas to the wider group, inviting others to share feedback or ask questions.
11:30-12:00	Break / Q&A with Current Students Lecturers will leave the room, and you’ll be joined by current MPsy students who share their experiences and answer your questions.
12:00 onwards	Individual Interviews (approx. 25mins each) Each candidate will have a one-to-one interview with a member of the lecturing team to discuss your: Motivations for the course, as well as your awareness of the commitments and responsibilities. Aptitude for reflective practice, academic and intellectual capabilities, and your qualities and values.

Candidates are welcome to depart once their individual interview has finished.

After the Interview Day

If you are successful in securing a place on our MPsy programme, you will be notified via UCAS.

Note: All MPsy students are required to obtain the Disclosure and Barring Service record (DBS). If you accept an offer with us, you will be required to complete a DBS check within the first two years of the degree.

Unsuccessful candidates will be made an alternative offer, where suitable.