Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue)

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

There are two stages to the application process. Stage One assesses academic ability whereas Stage Two aims to assess personal and professional suitability to become a practitioner in the field. 

Stage One requires you to submit an online application by midday on Wedneday 8 January 2025 via the postgraduate Degree Finder. 

Following Stage One, applicants with a successful outcome will be asked to proceed to Stage Two. You will be sent a Stage Two application pack which asks you to provide a further Personal Statement (criteria will be provided) and also a Professional Reference. Detailed guidelines on completion of both of these is given in the pack and both documents should be submitted at the same time.

The submission deadline for Stage Two is midday on Friday 28 February 2025.

Outcomes following written submissions will be communicated to applicants on 10 March 2025 and successful applicants will be asked to attend an online interview with two members of the academic teaching team.

Interviews will take place over three weeks (Mon-Fri) from Monday 17 March to Friday 4 April 2025.

Outcomes following interview will be communicated to applicants on Monday 5 May 2025.

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. It is also open to UK students with significant professional experience. 

The programme 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. 

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.