Postgraduate Taught

Keele University, along with the University of Reading, was the first Higher Education Institution to offer counsellor training and has been delivering programmes in counselling since the 1970s. The current Masters course is available on a full-time or part-time basis, and provides a professional training in counselling studies. This course is similar in all respects to the MSc in Counselling Psychology except that there is no requirement to undertake supervised counselling practice and, as such would not constitute training to become a counsellor. However, the programme offers training in counselling skills to a Masters Level and would be suitable for candidates who envisaged a career in counselling related fields.

This MSc in Counselling Psychology Studies is founded on a person-centred view of personhood and person-centred ways of being. In this we view the relationship in counselling as central, and support Rogers’ belief in the ‘self-therapeutic capacity and wisdom of clients’. However, we also take a strong ‘anti-schoolism’ stance which reflects our sincere respect for other, non-personcentred practices and practitioners. Our starting point for the Keele Counselling Model is thus a unifying ethos which enables us to respect and welcome a diversity of professional skills and orientations. This unifying ethos is based upon the centrality of the relationship in counselling and a belief in the ‘selftherapeutic capacity and wisdom of clients’.

We employ a wide variety of teaching and learning strategies including lectures, large group work, community meetings, tutorials and small group work. Within this framework students are introduced to a range of practices which are related to relevant philosophical traditions including existentialism, phenomenology and poststructuralism. Throughout the course, students are supported to establish a sense of coherence in their own position.

The centrality of a secure and constantly reviewed ethical position, based on the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy, is presented to the programme members as a major personal responsibility.

The programme aims to equip successful students with the knowledge and expertise to support their work in helping professions. It aims to integrate students’ practical skills with academic study at Masters Level and to facilitate student learning in the three areas of counselling psychology practice; professional practice, theory, and self-development.

The programme offers to students a thorough theoretical grounding in Counselling Psychology and introduction to research methodology. The principles underpinning the programme are empowerment, holistic development, relationships and community.

The programme is open to graduates with a good degree or equivalent, for example, professional qualifications. In some cases, where students have significant relevant experience, this requirement may be waived. All successful applicants will demonstrate emotional maturity and a capacity for sustained self-directed study, the ability to present written exposition of information and argument, to work experientially as a member of a small group, an awareness of self and an awareness of the nature of prejudice and oppression.

Applicants will need to address these points in their personal statements in the application form. Normally applicants will be
interviewed. In addition, applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS score of at least 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each sub-test (or equivalent).

The programme is taken full-time over one year or part-time over two years. Students are required to take four 30-credit taught modules (120 credits at Level M), plus a research training module (15 credits) and a 60-credit dissertation – see opposite. All modules must be passed for the award to be made (total of 195 credits). part-time students take all the 30 credit modules in Year 1 and the research methods module and the dissertation in Year 2. In addition, students are required to have a minimum of 8 hours of personal therapy.

The programme begins with compulsory attendance at a residential weekend and a two week induction. Attendance at the annual counselling conference is also compulsory.

30-credit Taught Modules

• Exploration in counselling (30 credits)*
• Understanding in counselling (30 credits)
• Integration in counselling (30 credits)
• Practicum (30 credits)*
• Research methods (15 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits) - 15,000-20,000 words. The preparation and submission of a dissertation will give students the opportunity to research, in-depth, a counselling topic or issue of interest to them.

Exit awards are available at Postgraduate Diploma level and, for those successfully completing only the two modules indicated *(60 credits), the Postgraduate Certificate. In addition, all students have tutor-led training in the practical skills of counselling, as well as access to DVD for counselling practice with peers and the production of case material for critical analysis.

Students may apply for exemption from the four taught modules if they have previously been awarded a Graduate or Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling from Keele University or equivalent.

All modules are assessed on the basis of coursework.

The pass mark for a module is 50%. The dissertation is a piece of independent research written up in 15,000-20,000 words. Masters students attaining exceptional performance (course average of at least 70% including 70%+ for the dissertation) may be awarded a Distinction.

• Home/EU = £4,950* (full-time), £2,900* (part-time).
• International: £11,300

There are a number of bursaries on offer to both home and overseas postgraduate students. Please see this page for details and eligibility.