Entry requirements

Entrance requirements for the MSc by Research in Counselling Studies.

1. Applicants to the MSc by Research programme should hold a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in social science, psychology or a health-related discipline. We will also consider your application if your degree is in another subject but you have a professional qualification in counselling or psychotherapy.

2. Applicants for the MSc by Research programme should submit a research statement. Details of the research statement requirements can be found on the How to Apply page.

3. Two references commenting on your suitability for this programme. References must be on headed paper, signed by the referee and recently dated (within the last 6 months), or uploaded directly by your referee.
4. If  English language is not your first language, we accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified: 

• IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.5 in each module)
• TOEFL-iBT: total 100 (at least 23 in each module)
• CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 176 in each module)
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components
• PTE Academic (test centre only): total 76 overall with 62 in each component

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE Academic, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Exemption criteria can be found on the University's English Language Requirements webpage.

Further information

Our research projects

You are strongly encouraged to discuss a draft version of your outline proposal with your prospective first supervisor and/or with the MSc by Research Programme Director, Jonathan Wyatt.

Jonathan Wyatt's academic profile

After your application is submitted it will be evaluated carefully. If we are able to progress your application beyond the online stage, you will be invited to participate in an interview with your prospective first supervisor.

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