Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue)

The Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue) is an accelerated, full-time professional training programme that seamlessly integrates theory, practical application, and immersive clinical experiences.

Please check the postgraduate Degree Finder to see the specific entry requirements, start date and application deadlines. 

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Undertaken over two years of full-time study, this programme consists of several taught courses, a supervised practice placement, and a dissertation. Students are required to complete 150 hours of supervised client work in a practice placement. 

The programme is specifically designed for international students, with significant (one to two years) professional experience in related fields, who are seeking to gain a fully accredited professional qualification in counselling in the United Kingdom. This programme is also open to UK students with significant professional experience. 

Why choose this programme?

It is an accelerated version of the well-established Master of Counselling programme, which is offered over four years part-time. It is a recognised qualification to practice as a counsellor and combines theoretical insights from the psychodynamic and person-centred traditions with practical experience gained in a range of counselling agencies. 

We also have excellent links with a range of agencies across Scotland, and support students to find their second practice placement within one of these agencies. While the majority of placement experience will be with individual adult clients, our Diploma also offers opportunities for students to gain experience of working with couples and/or with children and young people. 

Find out what our students think:

Our programme provides a high level of student-tutor contact and close supervision of counselling practice, in line with both professional and academic requirements. The Masters year also provides students with further transferable skills and knowledge that can be applied to a range of settings, including research skills, conceptual and analytical skills, and interpersonal and communication skills. 

We guarantee Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue) students a first placement in our own dedicated counselling service, Hope Park Counselling Centre. We also have excellent links with a range of agencies across Scotland, and support students to find their second practice placement within one of these agencies.   

Find out more about Hope Park Counselling Centre

Beyond the programme 

Graduates can gain employment as counsellors and psychotherapists working in the statutory, voluntary/non-government and private sectors, or can use their counselling training to enhance their career in a related profession such as health care, social work, nursing, or education.  

Many of our former students now hold senior positions in the counseling field and have been leading the development of counselling and psychotherapy provision throughout Scotland and in their countries of origin. The Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue) provides counsellor education at Masters level to ensure equivalence with counsellor education programmes in other countries. However, it is the student’s responsibility to check the equivalence of the programme for their own working context. 

Further study opportunities 

Students who successfully complete the Master of Counselling can also consider further educational opportunities within the University. 

Students can return to the University to attend continuing professional development (CPD) courses to support their ongoing professional development once they have qualified as counsellors/psychotherapists, or can apply to undertake an advanced research degree such as a PhD. 

Find out more about our postgraduate Counselling and Psychotherapy options