MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies (Taught)

An on-campus MSc for graduates, practising counsellors and people in helping roles who want to study counselling and psychotherapy as an advanced academic discipline without a clinical placement. Explore pluralistic approaches and develop counselling-informed skills that can feed into advanced practice, further training or doctoral study.

Our MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies is a rigorous, academic Master’s at SCQF Level 11 (180 credits). It’s designed with flexibility in mind and is aimed at those who want an advanced, research-led programme of study focusing on counselling and psychotherapy. The course does not contain a placement element, so would suit either qualified counsellors wishing to continue their professional development, or those interested in gaining a critical appreciation of the theoretical aspects of the discipline, ahead of potentially committing to a full practitioner training route.

The programme is grounded in a pluralistic framework. Rather than committing to a single therapeutic school, you’ll study a range of counselling and psychotherapy approaches and think critically about how they can be integrated. You’ll examine the counselling process, the therapeutic relationship, interactional and listening skills, and the ethical and professional frameworks that support safe, effective practice.

You’ll also explore mental health and distress in context, including diverse perspectives, power, culture, social justice and critical views of diagnosis and services. The aim is to help you understand not only what works, but for whom, in which contexts, and on whose terms.

Research is threaded throughout. You’ll build research literacy in a dedicated methods module, then design and complete a 60-credit independent project in counselling, psychotherapy or mental health – for example, an empirical study, case-based project or systematic review.

Relevant skills modules are aligned to the completion of the COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate, widely recognised in people-facing roles and a key requirement of many practitioner training programmes.

The modules listed are a guide to the current academic year only. We review and update modules annually. The exact modules available to your entry year may change for reasons such as staff availability, student demand, professional/accreditation requirements, or updates to legislation and curriculum.

If you've already completed CNS404: Diverse Perspectives in Mental Health at Abertay, you'll be required to complete another module in its place.

If you receive an offer to study with us, we’ll send you a Programme document that sets out exactly which modules you can expect to take as part of your Abertay University degree programme. Please see Terms and Conditions for more information.

Introduction to Counselling Theory and Skills- This module provides you with core counselling skills, theoretical knowledge and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Research Methods -This module provides you with the theoretical underpinning required to pursue a detailed investigation of a research topic of choice in the subject discipline aligned to your studies. It explores research methodologies, ethics, and a range of mainly qualitative analysis techniques used in conducting an MSc research project.

Theories and Approaches in Counselling - An in-depth examination of the skills, concepts and professional knowledge required to use a pluralistic framework for counselling practice. It covers the framework and common interventions and approaches which are used in conjunction with it. Teaching also involves practice skills in goal collaboration, case-formulation and client process monitoring.

The Process of Counselling - This is an introduction to the process of using counselling skills in practice and strategies for facilitating therapeutic change within the pluralistic framework. It'll allow you to conceptualise counselling within professional and supervisory contexts.

Diverse Prospectives in Mental Health - Engage with theories from a variety of cultures, models, and philosophies to complement, expand and challenge therapeutic concepts. The content of this module includes critical issues in mental health policy and practice, contemporary debates and critical analysis of diverse perspectives.

Advanced Theories and Approaches - This module provides you with a deepened and extended understanding of theoretical models of counselling. It's designed to develop your capacity to use theory to facilitate change in clients.

MSc Research Project - This is an in-depth investigation relevant to your discipline of study. It's supported by an academic supervisor from the subject area.

Teaching is seminar-based and discussion-led, with small groups that allow you to engage closely with staff and peers. You’ll learn through:
Interactive seminars and case-based discussions.
Counselling skills workshops and structured practice.
Group work, peer feedback and reflective activities.
Guided independent reading and online resources.
You’ll be encouraged to think critically and reflect on your own assumptions, values and responses. Although there is no formal clinical placement, the skills components are demanding as they align to COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate requirements.
Assessment is varied and authentic, so you can show what you’ve learned in different ways. Depending on the module, this may include:
Analytical and reflective essays.
Skills portfolios and case studies.
Presentations and small-group projects.
Critical engagement with research and policy.
A substantial independent research dissertation (60 credits).
This mix is designed to build both academic confidence and practical competence in working with complex, people-centred material.