Counselling Psychology (HCPC approved and BPS accredited)

Postgraduate School of Psychology

This course gives you the professional training that leads to eligibility for registration as a counselling psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council and chartered status with the British Psychological Society. Roehampton is ranked in the top 3 universities in London for the impact of our research in Psychology (REF 2021).  This programme is currently going through a redesign and a revalidation process*.

Counselling Psychology (HCPC approved and BPS accredited)
Duration

3 years (full-time)
6 years (part-time)

Number of Credits

PsychD: 120 credits at Level 7 plus 420 credits at Level 8 (Doctoral)

Start date

September 2024

Degree Type

PsychD

Modules

These modules are those we currently offer. As the course is undergoing a redesign and revalidation, modules and content may be subject to change.

Your curriculum

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Study a programme at the leading edge of international developments in counselling psychology practice, research and theory.

This programme brings together contemporary understandings from person-centred psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioural models of therapy. There is a strong emphasis on your identity and employability as a practitioner psychologist, including skills in: 

  • assessment and formulation
  • leadership
  • service evaluation
  • psychological testing
  • qualitative and quantitative research methods

The programme attracts a diverse group of trainees who have gained relevant experience in fields such as counselling and psychotherapy, research and academia, and the NHS, and who are passionate about becoming counselling psychologists.

The course is based on a pluralistic relational philosophy that values diversity, and promotes individual empowerment and social change. This means that we respect and value a wide range of approaches to psychological intervention and research, view relationships as central to wellbeing, and seek to enable trainees to make a positive difference both at an individual and social level through their clinical and research work.

*The redesigned programme will continue to cover similar material to what is currently being taught and have a similar structure and it will be attuned to the contemporary mental health needs and provision aiming to train counselling psychologists to high standards of clinical work, research and employability. The new programme will be offered in a full-time and part-time mode, and it will again be accredited by the British Psychological Society and the Health and care Professions Council, leading to a professional qualification and registration with these two bodies upon completion. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the staff will invite you to a presentation with an overview of the new programme prior to your interview date. However, at this point it is not possible to provide more detail. Please use the existing programme structure as a guide and what is expected from applicants.

September 2024 entry: The deadline for applications is Thursday 29 February 2024 and that if selected for interviews, these will take place between mid-April and mid-May 2024.

Before submitting an application all candidates must read the full Programme Outline and entry requirements - full-time herepart-time here. 

Please read our FAQ page prior to applying. 

To apply for this programme, applicants should click on the 'apply for this course' link and submit an online application via the 'Postgraduate taught programmes' tab.

How you'll learn

As a traniee at Roehampton, your learning will take place across lectures and seminars, as well as supervised clinical placements. 

In years one and two as a trainee, you will focus on gaining clinical experience working in person-centred and psychodynamic models of therapy respectively. In year three, you will have the option of gaining experience working in a cognitive-behavioural, integrative or pluralistic model. By the end of the programme, you will have completed a minimum requirement of 450 supervised client hours in a range of placement settings.

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Starting in your second year, you will work towards the production of a doctoral portfolio to showcase and integrate your learning as a counselling psychologist, across both professional practice and research domains. The portfolio contains elements, such as research papers, that you will be encouraged to submit for publication, thus further enhancing your professional contribution and employability.

During your training, you will develop key transferable skills as a practitioner psychologist, in research, psychological testing, service evaluation, team working and leadership. Your development will be closely supported and monitored throughout the programme, using formative and summative assessment, involving clinical tutors and research supervisors.

Career options

Graduates go on to work as art therapists in fields including healthcare, education, adult mental health and the third sector. They work in multidisciplinary teams, collaborating with psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health professionals.

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Our careers team is available to support you from the start of your studies until after you graduate. We will help you build your CV, prepare for interviews, and meet and learn from successful graduates working at the top of their careers.

Application Info

How to apply

Application deadline: Thursday 29 February 2024.

Postgraduate programmes

If you need any help or advice with your application, or just want to ask us a question before you apply, please do not hesitate to contact us.

International students
Please note that most international applicants have to pay a deposit before securing their place.

  • See our Finance pages for more details

Tuition fees and funding

September 2024 entry tuition fees

UK EU and International Part Time
£11,121 £17,325 *£5,561

Specific Entry Requirements

View specific entry requirements

Please read our FAQ page prior to applying. 

Application deadline Thursday 29 February 2024.

Validation and curriculum review

What is validation?
Validation is a formal process through which the University approves a programme (content, teaching, learning and assessment) as being of appropriate standard and quality. This is a normal process used throughout the university sector.

The University expects to publish details of the validated programme in the academic year prior to the start date of the programme. You are advised to check the University website at that time to ensure that you have up-to-date information. In the meantime, if you require information you should contact 0208 392 3232.

What is curriculum review?
Curriculum review is the regular and systematic monitoring and reviewing of programmes. It is a normal process in the sector and it is the way by which the university ensures that your course remains up-to-date and relevant. The process may result in changes to the content, structure and/or assessment of the programme.

The University expects to publish details of the re-validated programme by 31 March in the academic year prior to the start date of the programme. You are advised to check the University website at that time to ensure that you have up-to-date information. In the meantime, if you require information you should contact 0208 392 3232.

Need help before you apply?

Course Facilities

Image -  Leading research in counselling and psychological therapies 
 We have an international reputation for counselling and therapeutic training, and you’ll be learning from academics who lead internationally recognised research in the field of psychological therapies.

Leading research in counselling and psychological therapies

We have an international reputation for counselling and therapeutic training, and you’ll be learning from academics who lead internationally recognised research in the field of psychological therapies.

Image -  Manresa Hall in Whitelands College    
  On top of a 24 hour computer room, the College also has two dedicated quiet study areas.

Manresa Hall in Whitelands College 

On top of a 24 hour computer room, the College also has two dedicated quiet study areas.

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Our Research

For an overview of the research carried out by psychology academics within the School of Psychology, please visit the departmental research pages.

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Our Students

“The chance to study under some of the best practitioners in this field made the Roehampton course stand out from others”.  

Anna Turner, PsychD Counselling Psychology 

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