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Psychotherapy and Counselling (MSc) (2022 Entry)

About this taught graduate course

Course overview

The course will provide an in-depth clinical training which integrates theory and best practice from a suitable range of psychotherapeutic and counselling approaches, framed distinctively by a holistic view of the self and human experience. The course will include a supervised clinical placement which requires a minimum of 100 hours of therapeutic client work during the masters programme, as well as a balance of teaching and learning in theory, professional knowledge and individual development.

Skills from this degree

  • Use a range of meaningful and effective integrative approaches to develop relational skills for application to therapeutic practice
  • Address a broad range of client need including more complex and severe mental health difficulties
  • Apply a high level of relevant academic and professional knowledge to a range of settings, which provide counselling, psychotherapy and mental health services
  • Utilise personal development opportunities to enhance interpersonal skills
  • Acquire research skills and knowledge which are relevant to the counselling and psychotherapy field, and which can inform and enhance evidence based practice

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:i (BA/BSc Honours or equivalent) in psychology, social sciences, arts-related subject; basic counselling skills training and evidence of experience, of forming and sustaining helping relationships (either employed or voluntary).

Where appropriate, applicants with significant relevant study and professional and personal development qualifications and experience which does not equate to 2.i level, will be considered on a case by case basis.

Demonstration of personal and practical readiness to train as a practising psychotherapist or psychotherapeutic counsellor.

Duration

3 years part-time (plus up to two years on a post-master's accreditation programme for registration as a psychotherapist or psychotheraapeutic counsellor).


English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements. This course requires the following:

  • Band A
  • Overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 and component scores.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.


Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Year One

The Psychotherapeutic Relationship 1: Introduction to Theory

You will critically analyse and synthesise in-depth specialist knowledge of a range of cutting edge theoretical approaches and their application to therapeutic practices relevant to a holistic and integrative approach to psychotherapy. You will also critically evaluate and compare psychotherapy theories and analyse and evaluate the evidence for their effectiveness, and evaluate their relevance for a holistic – integrative approach.

You will exhibit a sophisticated level of competence and curiosity in the exploration of these theoretical approaches through exercise of generic intellectual abilities as well as a capacity to synthesise and therapeutic theory and then apply this effectively to practice and their own professional and personal development.

The Psychotherapeutic Relationship 1: Introduction to Practice

You will take a proactive and critically evaluative role in practising and synthesising cutting-edge psychotherapeutic skills and approaches, applying key therapeutic qualities in practice and in professional relationships with others. You will critically analyse, synthesise and apply key therapeutic theory, including integrative theory, to practice. To critically and reflectively monitor and systematically evaluate own practice and development, and integrate learning from tutor and peer feedback into practice.

You will also demonstrate and synthesise all aspects of fitness and readiness to practice therapeutically with clients on supervised placement, assessed through: practice observation, written assignments including case studies, overall presentation on the course, including personal development groups and capacity for critical reflection, and viva.

The Psychotherapeutic Relationship 1: Introduction to Individual Development

You will critically and consistently reflect on all aspects of personal development, including cultural competence, and proactively formulate and synthesise ideas and hypotheses to evaluate these. You will also successfully complete the Mental Health placement, and critically evaluate and synthesise knowledge of Mental Health gained to support practice and multi-professional working.

You will also understand, critically evaluate, synthesise and apply, ethical, legal and professional principles to professional and personal development in support of practice

Year Two

The Psychotherapeutic Relationship 2: Development of Theory, Practice and Individual Development

You will be offered every week a blend of formal lecture which includes consideration of application of theory to practice, and a clinical seminar where a student presents and critiques case material from relevant literature. There is also a weekly clinical practice development session which acts as the focus for therapeutic practice development with tutor, peer and self-evaluation and feedback a prominent feature. You will be offered some Saturday teaching sessions which will offer formal lectures, looking at applications to professional and personal development of key themes as well as being expected to fully participate fully in a personal development group.

Research in Professional Practice

This module aims to develop understanding of the research process and its relevance to your professional practice, including designing and carrying out research into your own practice field. This includes identifying research questions and appropriate research strategies and gathering and analysing sources using a variety of methods. It will enable you to carry out research into an aspect of career development or coaching practice of interest and relevance to you.

Year Three

The Psychotherapeutic Relationship 3: Integration of Theory, Practice and Individual Development

Dissertation


Teaching

Learning is via a combination of formal lecture, seminar, practice development, experiential learning and personal development groups. There is also a requirement for 450 clinical practice hours in a community based placement setting (with 1 to 6 hours supervision requirements) plus a minimum of 35 hours a year personal therapy.


Class sizes

Typical group size is around 15 students.


Typical contact hours

One evening each week (4.5 contact hours) plus one Saturday a month (6 hours).


Assessment

There is a range of assessment used including case study, theory and reflective assignments, tutor and self-evaluation practice, research appraisal and a dissertation of 12-15,000 words. For the latter typically, you are asked to choose a topic of interest relevant to psychotherapy and counselling, which can form the basis of empirical research and have a positive impact on this professional field.


Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.


Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you when you join us.

Your career

Our approaches to therapy are geared to the current economic climate, graduates may have the opportunity to work within a range of sectors:

  • NHS and community roles
  • Work within the third sector/private sector - (GP Surgeries, Hospices, Survivors of Domestics Abuse or Substance).

On completion of the Masters and required hours via the UKCP either during the Masters programme or during the post-Masters Accreditation Programme, graduates can register as a qualified Psychotherapeutic Counsellor.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Taught course fees  Research course fees


Fee Status Guidance

The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.

If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information, however we are awaiting guidance from the UK government regarding fee status for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members living in the UK for academic year 2021/22 onwards. We are not able to confirm the fee status for these students until the relevant eligibility criteria have been confirmed. Once we have received further information from the UK government, we will provide you with an update on your fee status and let you know if any additional information is required. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.


Additional course costs

Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:

  • Core text books
  • Printer credits
  • Dissertation binding
  • Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

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Here is our checklist on how to apply for taught postgraduate courses at Warwick.

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Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

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