Entry requirements

Entrance requirements for the Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue) programme. As this is a professional training programme, students are subject to the University’s Fitness to Practise regulations

• Evidence of personal and professional readiness to undertake counselling education.
• Substantial prior experience of providing helping relationships (eg teaching, nursing, social work, relevant voluntary work).
• References confirming your academic and professional suitability for postgraduate counselling training.
• Entry is subject to passing the professional suitability interview.  This can take place face-to-face, by telephone or by webcam.

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

Academic requirements

• EITHER an undergraduate degree equivalent to an upper second class honours degree in a subject relevant to counselling and psychotherapy OR
• An undergraduate degree equivalent to a good lower second class honours degree in a subject relevant to counselling and psychotherapy AND references confirming aptitude for study at postgraduate level OR
• Cognate professional qualifications equivalent to an honours degree OR
• Exceptionally, where an applicant’s undergraduate degree is in an area not considered relevant to counselling and psychotherapy, they may be admitted at the discretion of the programme director so long as they meet the personal and professional suitability requirements stipulated in the Stage One application form

Further requirements

• English language requirements (IELTS 7.0+ or equivalent) apply to students whose first language is not English or whose first degree was not taught in English. This requirement is higher than the standard College requirement of 6.5, as language skills are particularly pertinent in counselling and students will be required to communicate verbally and in writing at a high level from the start of the programme
• PVG clearance (The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme which is run by Disclosure Scotland). This ensures applicants do not have any criminal convictions which would make them unsuitable for work with vulnerable adults or children. You do not have to attach this to your application – the PVG check will be carried out by the University.

Substantial prior helping experience. Students must be ready to start their counselling practice placement by the end of the first semester. In the placement, they will be allocated to work directly with their own counselling clients. Although they will have an assigned practice supervisor, students will not shadow an experienced practitioner nor will anyone else be present in the counselling room to assist them. It is therefore essential that applicants have already gained substantial experience of working in helping relationships. While there are no rules about what ‘substantial’ means, it is usually the case that applicants have worked for two or more years following completion of their first degree in a related field. A related field is an area of professional practice where they have developed practice skills, knowledge and values which are transferable into therapeutic work. It is rare that the programme accepts applicants who have recently graduated or who are applying while still completing their undergraduate studies. In these circumstances, applicants are welcome to apply to the MSc in Counselling Studies or the part-time Pg Certificate in Counselling Studies (or other part-time professional programme).