Counselling, Psychotherapy and Applied Social Sciences

Professional Doctorate in Counselling

The Professional Doctorate in Psychotherapy and Counselling is an advanced qualification enabling graduates to practise as a psychotherapist or counsellor in a wide range of settings.

Name Professional Doctorate in Psychotherapy and Counselling
Start Date September 2024
Mode of Study '4 years full time' or '7 years part time'
Co-Directors, Professional Programmes

Sharan Collins / Elaine Goldie

Opening for online applications to full time and part time 4th October 2023

Closing dates for applications to the 2024 intake of the full time programme

 

Stage one (online) : 8 January 2024 

Stage two : 1st March 2024

Closing dates for online applications to the part time programme

6th November 2023

27th March 2024

24th June 2024

 

Aims

The aims for students who successfully complete the Professional Doctorate in Psychotherapy and Counselling are listed here.

Structure

DPsychotherapy full time and part time programmes

Career Prospects

The Professional Doctorate of Psychotherapy and Counselling is the highest level of qualification available in this area.

Entrance Requirements

Overview of entry requirements As this is a professional training programme, students are subject to the University’s Fitness to Practise regulations

Fees

Annual fee amounts for full and part time DPsychotherapy programmes

Apply

Applying for the full time programme is a two stage process. Stage one requires submission of an online application

Why choose the professional Doctorate in Psychotherapy and Counselling?

The Professional Doctorate combines full professional training meeting recognised standards for counselling training and education with the opportunity to develop as a researcher in a lively research community. With the full-time route designed to meet the needs of – but not exclusive to –  international students and the part-time route aimed more at local students, the programme provides a route both to professional qualification and doctoral-level research achievement.

A distinctive feature of this programme is the opportunity to gain practice experience at a range of counselling agencies, including our own dedicated placement agency, Hope Park Counselling Centre, one of only four such research and practice centres in the UK.

While this degree qualifies you to provide one-to-one counselling with adult clients, you can also develop your skills, knowledge and experience for working with couples and/or children and young people by taking additional option courses and through placements with relevant counselling agencies. You can also apply to audit additional option courses in counselling and psychotherapy that are of interest to you.

You will be facilitated in your professional learning by core tutors who are experienced practitioners of counselling and psychotherapy, as well as by a clinical tutor who will meet with you regularly, and a practice supervisor who will help you reflect on your counselling work. As you take up your research project you will have opportunities to attend research seminars, workshops, conferences and events within an active and supportive research environment.

Studying at a world-class institution, you will benefit from outstanding resources to support your learning on this programme.

Related links

Master of Counselling (ID)

Master of Counselling

Pg Diploma in Counselling

BACP - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

COSCA - Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland