Train to become a skilled, safe, evidence-based, and reflective psychotherapist and counsellor. This four-year integrated Master's degree is for undergraduate entry and combines theory, research, and practice with professional training in psychotherapy and counselling. Through a 100-hour clinical placement and the course's academic underpinnings, you can become both a registered counsellor and a scholar of counselling.
Three A-levels at grades CCC or above
Or BTEC triple grades MMM or above
Or Access 23-45 D/M with min 6D
Or T level M
And GCSE English Language at grade 4 or grade C or above
UCAS points 96
UCAS code PSC2
UCAS institution code P63
Duration Four years full-time or up to eight years part-time
This Master's programme in Psychotherapy and Counselling is a four-year training route for applicants who wish to become a practising psychotherapist or counsellor. We educate in the theory, research, and practice of psychotherapy and counselling, complementing professional training in psychotherapy and counselling with the academic rigour of a degree. The degree is an integrated master's degree, which means that a three year undergraduate degree is combined with a final master's year, leading to a master's level qualification.
There are a variety of approaches to psychotherapy and counselling that are based on different theoretical perspectives of behaviour change. The degree covers a variety of these theoretical perspectives - person-centred, cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, existential, strengths-based - focusing on one perspective in depth in the final year.
In terms of research, psychotherapy and counselling is an evidence-based profession. Teaching is evidence-based, and students learn how to interpret, critique, and apply research. They also learn how to conduct research in the context of psychotherapy and counselling.
In terms of practice, students learn, practice, and develop the skills they need to become competent, ethical, reflective, self-aware, and effective as psychotherapists and counsellors. They learn about the roles of psychotherapists and counsellors in a variety of professional settings, and develop the underpinning knowledge, understanding, and skills required for these roles.
Subject to passing a ‘Readiness to Practice’ assessment, students also complete 100 placement hours that involve providing supervised counselling to clients; the 100 placement hours enable graduates to apply to the registered bodies for counsellors.
Plymouth Marjon University offers a full campus experience, with accommodation, a sports centre, bar and theatre onsite, as well as an active Students' Union, exceptional student support and the beaches and moors of Devon and Cornwall within reach. Students on our Psychotherapy and Counselling programmes benefit from excellent academic support within small class sizes, whilst enjoying a wider student experience.
In 2025 we will open our brand new Health and Wellbeing Hub, offering professional clinical facilities and experiences to students on our health programmes.
Those interested in applying are also encouraged to look at our three-year BSc (Hons) Counselling for the Helping Professions.
Learn from experienced and highly skilled professionals in psychotherapy and counselling.
Small class sizes enable teaching and feedback to be personalised to the needs and career aspirations of students.
Combine comprehensive training in counselling with the academic rigour of a degree, including master's level engagement with current topics.
Develop a rich understanding of theory and research that will underpin your counselling.
The strong practical focus means that you will develop core skills from the start of the course and will complete real-life counselling placements.
A 100-hour counselling placement is embedded in the curriculum.
How do theoretical approaches to psychotherapy and counselling align with my own beliefs and values? How does theory enable me to become an effective professional?
How do researchers approach the process of researching counselling? And how can research improve my counselling?
How do psychotherapists and counsellors approach their work?
How does my own personal development, personal awareness, and insight support my effectiveness as a professional?
What makes counselling effective for some people, but not for others?
Are some counselling approaches more effective, or do common factors such as the quality of the relationship make the difference?
This course prepares you to become a psychotherapist or counsellor. You might also use your skills in other helping professions, such as through roles in health, social care, or education.
Teaching includes lectures, seminars, practical skills work, group work, and independent study, with the goal of developing a range of skills through an engaging learning experience.
Assessment spans coursework, group work, presentations, and practical work.
Alister is a registered Practitioner Psychologist (HCPC) who teaches psychology and its applications to counselling, sport, exercise, and health. He is passionate about teaching psychology and counselling in an evidence-based way so that your practice is based on the latest research and is ethical, informed, and effective.
Fees UK students: £9,535 per annum
Fees for International students: £14,600 per annum
This fee covers your tuition and access to course-specific equipment and facilities, as well associated services including access to the library, study skills support, IT support, student support and wellbeing services and membership of the Student Union. There may be additional costs by course.
Our Student Funding Advisors offer confidential and impartial advice about your funding options.
Learn moreOur counselling degrees attract students who have work, family, and caring responsibilities outside of university. To support our students, we always aim to set a regular timetable: for example our current set-up is for students to be on campus for teaching on Mondays and Tuesdays in Years 1 and 2, on Thursdays in Year 3, and on Wednesdays in Year 4.
You'll also complete one to two days of reading, studying, and assessment, working flexibly in your own time around your other commitments. Our mature students speak very highly of this timetabling model. As counselling is a practical, skills-based profession, most of our teaching needs in-person attendance.
Main campus at Plymouth Marjon University
Lucy has clinical experience is in supporting students within Higher Education as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist, a Specialist Mental Health Mentor, and in other Student Support and Welfare roles. She has worked in a variety of mental health charities and services as a counsellor or service manager. Her research focus is student mental health spanning measures perfectionism, anxiety, worry, resilience, wellbeing and social media use in students.
Carina is a BPS Chartered Counselling Psychologist and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her teaching is mainly focused around social psychology and mental health within the discipline and how these can be applied to the world we live in. She teaches across a range of undergraduate and post-graduate psychology programmes. She has worked as a clinical practitioner on a one-to-one and group basis, across a range of settings, including primary care, the police and private practice for over 30 years. Specialist interests and expertise include: PTSD, Trauma, Eating Disorders.