MA Integrative Counselling at University of Sunderland

Programme overview

Counsellors work in a wide range of settings, including private practice, charities, and public services. If you want to support people with emotional, relationship, or mental health challenges, this course is for you. It helps you build the professional skills and self-awareness needed for effective practice.

Department: Psychology | Duration: 3 years part-time | Study mode: part-time | Intake: September 2026 | Location: Sunderland, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1; Open All; A Relational Approach to Counselling (30 credits)+; This module explores humanistic approaches to therapy, with a focus on person-centred counselling. You’ll learn the key qualities and skills needed to build a strong counselling relationship. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of humanistic approaches and how they're used in practice. As the module progresses, you’ll look at more recent developments in humanistic therapy and how these approaches are used in NHS talking therapy services.

Career pathways

You’ll develop strong reflexive skills and learn how to work in an inclusive and respectful way. You’ll also learn to practise ethically, creatively, and with an awareness of diversity and your role in the counselling relationship.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

The course is open to graduates who hold a 2:2 degree. You’ll also need experience of using counselling skills in a helping role. It’s especially suited to you if you're: A health and social care graduate; A social work graduate; A psychology with counselling graduate. We’ll also consider other psychology graduates if you can show relevant counselling experience. A teacher with pastoral responsibilities looking to develop your skills. If you don’t have experience in a helping role, you may need to complete a Level 3 counselling certificate first. You’ll need to become a student member of a professional counselling body, either the BACP or NCPS. Both offer discounted student membership. Please check their websites for the most up to date information. We also require you to complete 20 hours of personal therapy. This is at least 10 hours in your first year, and a further 10 hours across Years 2 and 3. Once you apply, we’ll check that you meet the entry requirements. If you do, our admissions tutor will review your application. If successful, we'll invite you to an interview.

Intake: September 2026

Duration: 3 years part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/postgraduate/ma-integrative-counselling#apply

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