Doctor of Counselling Psychology at University of the West of England, Bristol

Programme overview

A professional doctorate providing doctoral-level education and training in psychotherapy and applied psychology, leading to the award of Doctor of Counselling Psychology. It combines taught modules, 450 hours of supervised practice in placements and a doctoral research thesis.

Faculty: School of Social Sciences | Duration: Three years full-time; four or five years part-time | Intake: September | Study mode: Full-time; part-time; starts September | Location: Bristol, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year one introduces Principles of Counselling Psychology and the relational psychodynamic approach, Year two focuses on relational CBT and psychopathology, and Year three covers integration and advanced theory and practice including supervision, leadership, psychometrics and neuropsychological assessment, alongside placements and the doctoral thesis. Students must complete a minimum of 60 hours of personal therapy.

Career pathways

Graduates are equipped to work as chartered counselling psychologists and accredited therapists in private, public and third sectors, and for research, academic and service development roles; the majority of recent graduates secured positions before completing.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society; an upper second or first class degree in psychology (state the undergraduate research project grade on the application); a Certificate in Counselling Skills of at least 75 class hours; one year's experience in a one-to-one helping role; and standard University English language proficiency. Applicants must also show doctoral-level capability, maturity for the emotional demands of work with vulnerable clients, self-reflection, interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate complex ideas. Applicants must declare their health and disclose all criminal convictions, and those offered a place undergo a DBS check. Shortlisted applicants submit a 1,000-word research proposal and a 1,000-word narrative and are interviewed in March. Personal statement up to 1,000 words and two referees, one of them an educational referee. Application deadline Monday 15 February 2027 (may close earlier). Deferred entry is not accepted.

Intake: September

Duration: Three years full-time, four or five years part-time

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