Postgraduate Taught Degrees
PG Diploma Counselling
- Duration:
- 1 years
- Attendance:
- Full Time
- Award:
- Postgraduate Diploma
- School of Study:
- Education and Lifelong Learning
- Brochure:
- School of Education and Lifelong Learning Postgraduate Brochure (PDF)
Accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Postgraduate Diploma component runs over a period of one year and is designed to equip successful students to practise professionally as counsellors. The central theoretical model for the course is the person-centred approach developed by Carl Rogers. Students may opt to progress to the full research-based MA Counselling after the first year.
The central theoretical model for the course is the person-centred approach developed by the late Carl Rogers. All trainees undertake a counselling placement; the course has relationships with a number of local counselling agencies, including the University Counselling Service, and trainees are supported through the selection and application process to find a placement in which they can develop their qualities as a counsellor. The course also assists students in the selection of an individual supervisor to support the placement, and course fees cover the cost of supervision for the placement year.
The course is distinctive in exploring the implications of person centred theory and practice for spiritual understanding and development. Students are invited to bring their own experiences or views on spirituality, whatever these may be, with a view to developing a greater openness to clients’ experiences and a deepening of their own humanity. Long standing links exist between the course and the Julian Shrine in Norwich, an internationally renowned centre of pilgrimage and scholarly activity.
The course also provides a unique opportunity to experience Focusing, a way of working with the inner ‘felt sense’ developed by Carl Rogers’ colleague Eugene Gendlin*. The course also offers the opportunity to consider the dialogue between classical and relational person-centred practice (on which the training is consistently centred) and process experiential developments within the wider approach. Core staff have an interest in the concept of ‘integrating with integrity’ (Richard Worsley*).
- See Campbell Purton (2007) The Focusing-Oriented Primer (PCCS books) and Richard Worsley in Pete Sanders (ed) (2013 or 2004) The Tribes of the Person-Centred Nation (PCCS books)
Diploma in counselling term dates 2013-2014
2013
Initial Intensive Week : 16 September–20 September
First Term : 23 September–13 December
2014
Second Term : 6 January – 28 March
Third Term : 28 April – 6 June
Intensive Week : 9 June – 13 June
Centre for Counselling Studies
See the Centre for Counselling Studies website for more details including information about the doctoral programme and other counselling related courses and a staff list.
Ms. Jane Nichols
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
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 the link above to download the 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.
Compulsory Study (120 credits)
Students must study the following modules for 120 credits:
| Name | Code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MA COUNSELLING YEAR 1 UNIT | EDUNM04Y | 120 |
Disclaimer
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.
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 or those whose degree was not taught in English. To ensure such students benefit fully from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. We also will require a certain standard to be achieved on the written element of the test. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:
- IELTS: 7.0 overall (6.5 in the reading and writing components; and 6.0 in the listening and speaking components)
- TOEFL: Internet-based score of 98 overall (minimum 18 listening, 21 writing, 21 reading, 21 speaking)
- PTE: 70 overall (minimum 62 in all components)
In certain circumstances we may require you to complete a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course prior to beginning your programme. This course may be taken at our INTO Language Learning Centre.
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
Additional fees for students who decide to progress to the MA Counselling once they have completed the Postgraduate Diploma will be in the region of:
- UK/EU Students: £1,665
- International Students: £4,165
Living Expenses
Approximately £7,500 living expenses will be needed to adequately support yourself for one year.
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.
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.


