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MA Counselling

Attendance:
Full Time
Award:
Degree of Master of Arts
School of Study:
Education and Lifelong Learning
Brochure:
School of Education and Lifelong Learning Postgraduate Brochure (PDF)

The MA Counselling degree consists of two components: The Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling component is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). It runs over a period of one year and is designed to offer training of sufficient duration and depth to equip the successful course member to practise professionally in the role of counsellor. Students may opt to receive the Postgraduate Diploma after the first year or progress to the full research-based MA in Counselling.

The central theoretical model for the course is the person-centred approach developed by the late Carl Rogers. All trainees undertake a placement in the University Counselling Service and thus have the unique opportunity of theoretical, clinical and experiential study on the same campus. Further counselling opportunities are available at other counselling agencies in the city of Norwich.

The course is also unique in exploring the implications of person centred theory and practice for spiritual understanding and development. For this aspect of the course, links have been established with the Julian Shrine in Norwich, an internationally renowned centre of pilgrimage and scholarly activity.

Research Methods Training

The 2012-13 dates for the Research Methods Training sessions are detailed below:

Friday/Saturday 21 and 22 September 2012
Friday/Saturday 12 and 13 October 2012
Friday/Saturday 2 and 3 November 2012

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Please click to access information supplied by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy about the qualities associated with potential counsellors.


Prof Anne Cockburn

The School of Education and Lifelong Learning is one of the UK's leading centres for research and teaching in education, offering a distinctively broad range of programmes at Postgraduate level.

We are a diverse community of practitioners, scholars and academics who teach, research, and provide professional development. We seek to equip educationalists and other professionals with the skills and insights they need as part of their continued professional development at a time of rapid educational and organisational change.

The School is nationally and internationally recognised for its work in educational innovation and social change; literacy and development; and mathematics education. We have extensive links with overseas agencies and organisations and strong working relationships with practitioners, educators and policymakers in all sectors of the education system and other related professional fields. We are proud of both our local roots and our international reach and our partnerships with schools and colleges, with adult educational groups and with governments and universities are greatly valued. 

We use a variety of teaching technologies, including lectures, seminars, practical work and IT e-learning resources. These are delivered by experienced members of academic staff, often in a relatively informal learning environment within small groups. Assessment is usually by written assignments and a dissertation. A continuous control process ensures that our teaching quality continues to develop, and students have access to a number of quality-control channels including student feedback forms, debriefing meetings, and the Student Liaison Committee to help us monitor, evaluate and develop current practice.

There are many external indicators which endorse the quality of our teaching and research. These include top ratings within the National Student Satisfaction survey, '+3' Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognition, and "Outstanding" recognition by OfSTED for our programmes of Initial Teacher Education. 

Career Opportunities

Our graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects. A high proportion of our Masters graduates occupy senior posts in schools, universities and ministries all over the world.

The University of East Anglia provides a professional Careers Centre and, together with the School's Academic Careers Adviser, we will help students to pursue their chosen career path and develop their employability skills.

Come and Visit Us


Our Open Days will give you the opportunity to experience the University of East Anglia's unique campus atmosphere.

You will have the chance to attend subject-specific talks and presentations about student life and finance. You will also be able to talk directly to academics, admissions staff and current students giving you a first-hand impression of life at the University of East Anglia - check out the accommodation, learning resources, student support, and our sport and entertainment facilities.

If you are not able to visit us in person, check out our Virtual Open Day experience which we hope will help to provide you with an insight into life and study at the University of East Anglia.

Further Information
Postgraduate Degrees in Education and Lifelong Learning
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances with the Admissions Office prior to applying 
please do contact us:

Admissions Office (Education and Lifelong Learning)
Tel: +44 (0)1603 593252
Email: pgedu.admiss@uea.ac.uk

Please click here to download the School of Education and Lifelong Learning Postgraduate Prospectus or register your details via our Online Enquiry Form.

International candidates are also actively encouraged to access the University's International section of our website.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirement

Applicants will normally be expected to be graduates (of any discipline), but those with other professional qualifications or who can demonstrate appropriate academic skills will be considered. More importantly, applicants will be expected to have undertaken previous counselling or counselling skills training. 

Applicants from the UK should have undertaken or be in the process of undertaking a Certificate in Counselling Skills, ideally in the person-centre approach, and overseas applicants should be able to demonstrate significant experience in a helping role.

More details regarding entry requirements are in the course brochure, but the most important thing is to ensure that you have engaged in appropriate counselling skills training prior to making your application.

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

  •          IELTS: 7.0 (minimum 6.0 listening, 6.0 speaking, 6.5 writing 6.5 reading)
  •          TOEFL: Internet-based score of 100 (minimum 19 listening, 21 speaking, 20 writing and 21 reading)
  •          PTE (Pearson): 70 (minimum 55 listening, 55 speaking, 62 writing, 62 reading

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests such as TOEIC and the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English are also accepted by the university. Please check with the Admissions Office for further details including the scores or grades required.

INTO UEA and INTO UEA London run pre-sessional courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk (INTO UEA Norwich) or pseuealondon@into.uk.com (INTO UEA London).

Special Entry Requirements

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN: Disclosure of Criminal Background for Those with Access to Children
All applicants who have been offered a place to study the course will be required to obtain a fresh Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure.

An application pack will be sent from the University (this usually happens from April onwards). This should be completed and returned as soon as possible.

General information about this process can be obtained from the Criminal Records Bureau Website.

Fees and Funding

Fees for the academic year 2013/2014 will be:

Postgraduate Diploma 

  • UK/EU Students: £6,900 
  • International Students: £12,500

Master of Arts (in addition to the above fee)

  • UK/EU Students: £1,665
  • International Students: £4,165

Living Expenses
Approximately £7,500 living expenses will be needed to adequately support yourself. 

Scholarships and Funding

A variety of Scholarships may be offered to UK students. Please click here for more detailed information about funding for UK students. 

The University offers around £1 million of Scholarships each year to support International students in their studies. Scholarships are normally awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are usually for the duration of the period of study. Please click here for further information about fees and funding for International students.


Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.

You can apply online, or by downloading the application form.

Further Information

To request further information & to be kept up to date with news & events please use our online enquiry form.

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us:

Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk

International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.