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MA Professional Development for Counselling

Start Date: 7th September 2026

Length 2 Years
Study Part-Time
Location Rye Hill Campus

Qualification Gained

MA Professional Development for Counselling (awarded by NCG)

Levels Explained

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More about the course

This part-time Masters Degree in Professional Development for Counselling has been designed to give you enhanced knowledge of Counselling research, policy, and professional practice issues to enhance your academic and critical thinking skills. You will deepen your understanding of professional practice through examining the application of theory within the counselling sector.

The MA Professional Development for Counselling provides an opportunity for graduates working within Counselling settings to gain a postgraduate research-based professional qualification in Counselling and to ‘get on the ladder’ to a career in research.

The course is designed to appeal to different cohorts, including managers and those aspiring to a more managerial roles within Counselling settings, as well as counsellors who aspire to develop a research-focused career.

Entry requirements

An honours degree (2:1 or higher) in an appropriate area
Substantive experience which has been assessed as equivalent (RPL)
Applicants will also hold a professional counselling qualification that grants licence to practice (Level 5)
Membership of a professional body such as BACP, UKCP or NCPS
Evidence of a candidate's ability to operate at Level 7 for academic reading and writing
All potential students are given an assessment task, are interviewed, and given advice and guidance on their suitability for the course with appropriate access routes identified.

What will I achieve?

Upon successful completion of this degree, you will receive an MA Counselling and Professional Development Level 7 (awarded by NCG).

What will I learn?

Conceptualising ways to work with Clients with Chronic and Enduring Mental Health Issues
Counselling Enquiry
Evaluating and Auditing Counselling Services
Socio-Political Theories that underpin the Development of Professional Practice
Researching a Professional Environment.

How is the course taught?

Lectures
Seminars
Workshops
Group discussion
Simulated therapeutic sessions
Literature review
Research project
Dissertation.

How am I assessed?

Written essays
Reports
Literature review
Simulated therapeutic session notes
Research projects
Dissertation.

Where can I progress?

Graduates of this course will be able to gain employment with a range of Counselling providers and organisation within the region. This course has been informed by local practitioners with excellent links to industry which affords the graduates opportunities to impress future employers and gain employment.

Alumni will be able to progress onto postdoctoral studies at various higher education institutions.

Course costs and information

Tuition fees vary depending on the course and mode of study. Read more about tuition fees and financial support.

Fees for international students vary depending on the course. Find out more about international fees and payments.

It's important that you know what your tuition fee includes and what other costs you'll need to plan for. Read what your fee includes here.

Richard Cave

Lecturer | Counselling

"The great thing about this course that I’m teaching is that it’s a professional course, so by the end of the two years, my students have a professional qualification to go out and be a counsellor and speak to real people with real issues."

Xania Prentice

BSc (Hons) Counselling Skills and Therapeutic Communication (Top-Up)

"As an older student, learning as a beginner meant I was able to bring all my life experience onto this course. I've studied modules ranging from trauma to gender to bereavement, and all of it fascinated me. But to me, this course wasn't just about qualifying in psychology - I've found my calling here, by discovering how people work and figuring out how I could help them."