Counselling (MSc)
Introduction
Our degree aims to progress you through initial training as a counsellor or psychotherapist in alignment with the professional standards for therapists across the UK. Drawing on contemporary approaches to therapy, you will learn how to work with clients experiencing mental health difficulties in different contexts. We focus on professional practice and competencies, offering the opportunity to undertake pluralistic practice, the fastest-growing therapy modality in the UK. The programme offers advanced entry for qualified practitioners already registered with a professional body in counselling.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 18 months or 36 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
We have a robust, contemporary curriculum, built on a pluralistic model which ensures creative collaboration and responsiveness to client needs when undertaking therapeutic practice through a social justice lens. You will discover and deploy different interventions and methods for working with diverse client groups while enhancing your personal and professional development as an ethical, self-aware therapist.
You will learn from leading academics in pluralistic practice within a vibrant, inclusive community of practitioners, opening diverse perspectives to share and explore. You will engage in client practice under supervision using a pluralistic approach to counselling and therapy at advanced levels of competence.
What You'll Study
Topics you will explore include:
- The philosophical foundations, theoretical concepts, evidence base, and methodological use of Pluralistic practice.
- Personal and professional development in key areas of competence and growth as a therapeutic practitioner.
- Contemporary models and interventions and how these are used in pluralistic therapy including person-centred and experiential therapy, cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic approaches.
- Professional issues, ethical working, and the impact of socio-cultural contexts on therapy.
- Knowledge of creative methods and cultural resources in therapy.
- Delivery platforms and modalities including online and phone therapy, group therapy and nature-based approaches.
- Year 1
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Year 1: Compulsory Courses
- Getting Started at the 51cg (PD1002)
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This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students and articulating students who are in their first year at the University, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Foundations of Pluralistic Counselling (ED506M)
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30 Credit Points
This course aims to enable students to develop the personal qualities and professional skills necessary to become competent and reflective practitioners within a pluralistic framework. Core elements of a pluralistic approach to therapy are explored in relation to theory, practical skills, personal and professional development, and research.
- Therapeutic Process in Pluralistic Counselling (ED506N)
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30 Credit Points
This course looks at how to combine key skills and concepts when working with clients to support them in accomplishing their therapeutic goals. The course explores key pluralistic therapeutic strategies and processes in relation to knowledge from theory, practical skills, personal and professional development, and research.
- Therapeutic Responses to Cultural Identity (ED556P)
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15 Credit Points
This course considers how therapeutic processes and outcomes, and access to therapy, are influenced by the cultural identity of the client and counsellor. The module reflects an intersectionality perspective, and the view that social justice and decolonisation represent guiding principles for the profession as a whole. The nature and effectiveness of strategies for addressing cultural difference are discussed, along with analysis of the relevance of evidence from research evidence from social anthropology, history and those with lived experience. Students will be invited to reflect on the relevance of these themes in respect of their own personal and professional identities and practices.
- Professional Issues in Counselling (ED556Q)
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15 Credit Points
This course explores the use of supervision, consultation, peer support, and attention to personal well-being, in relation to the demands of working with clients. Topics covered include models of supervision, the use of deliberate practice to develop competence, and strategies for handling countertransference responses to clients, ruptures in the therapeutic alliance, ethical dilemmas, and organisational culture. The course is delivered through small professional practice groups in which students work together, supported by a tutor, to reflect on their counselling practice.
- Critical Issues in Practice (ED556R)
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15 Credit Points
This course examines the ways that a pluralistic perspective offers creative possibilities and options for clients and therapists working together around the most widely-reported client concerns. Theory, research and clinical case examples are used to explore the nature of a flexible, collaborative pluralistic approach to issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship problems, eating disorders, suicidality, and climate grief. The course is organised an interplay between lecture and workshop learning events on these topics, and critical choice-points encountered by students in relation to their practice with clients troubled by such issues.
- Research to Practice (ED556S)
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15 Credit Points
A capacity to use research evidence to inform practice represents a crucial aspect of contemporary thinking around the nature of counsellor and psychotherapist competence. In this course, students read and discuss research studies that have used different methodological approaches to explore critical issues in therapy practice. Dialogue within the group specifically focuses on how each study can contribute to both practice and self-awareness. The course also reviews the historical development of research in counselling and psychotherapy, and current debates.
- Year 2
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Year 2: Compulsory Courses
Masters Project in Pluralistic Therapy (ED506T)
OR
Specialist Certificate for Counselling Children and Young People (ED50YP)
- Masters Project in Pluralistic Therapy (ED506T)
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60 Credit Points
The Masters project offers an opportunity for students to develop their own ideas, by exploring a specific topic or question in depth with the aim of producing an output that has practical relevance. The project may result in an evidence-based tool, technique or materials designed to be utilised within counselling training or practice. Alternatively, it may take the form of a small-scale research study or research review. The class will begin with group sessions that explore possible project formats, leading to submission of a project proposal and application for ethical approval. Individual and small group tutorial support will then lead to the presentation of the final product to the class as a whole, along with a written report.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.
Fees
- UK
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- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
- £10,715
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (51cg Graduates *)
- £7,000
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51cg graduates are eligible for the Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship, reducing tuition fees to £7,000 - matching the current SAAS tuition loan - See full terms and conditions
- EU / International students
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- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
- £20,860
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *)
- £12,860
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The above fee includes the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.
Fee Information
Students are required to cover their costs for practice supervision during their studies. The cost reflects a requirement for one hour of supervision for each six client hours in practice. Supervision costs range from £40 to £80 per hour.
Scholarships
All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Assessment Methods
A range of inclusive assessment methods are used for example, essays, case-studies, reflective accounts, portfolios of training experiences, and client work.
Learning Methods
- Clinical Learning
- E-learning
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Peer Learning
- Professional Placements
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Why Study Counselling?
- Explore philosophical and operational approaches to therapy based on key principles of pluralism.
- Engage in voluntary and paid placements to build your practice working with clients in diverse contexts.
- Learn from leading academics in pluralistic practice.
- We are ranked 2nd in Scotland for Education in the Complete University Guide 2027.
Interested in this programme?
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the 51cg.
SCQF Level 10 degree (any subject) or equivalent Interview to assess suitability for personal development and professional practice working.
PVG in place before entry.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Careers
The programme opens professional pathways for graduates to enter counselling and psychotherapy practice in a range of contexts including education, the healthcare sector, third-sector agencies, and self-employment. Our courses build your analytical and research skills, allowing you to progress into teaching and research in mental health and academia.
Our Experts
- Programme Coordinator
- Professor Kate Smith
Information 51cg Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Facilities
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
School of Education
51cg
MacRobert Building
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 5UA