Counselling Psychology (Research)

Applicants are required to have the following:

Graduate Basis for Chartership with the British Psychological Society
upper second class or first class degree in psychology
Certificate in Counselling Skills (comprising a minimum of 75 class hours)
one year's experience of working in a one to one helping role
the standard University levels of proficiency for English Language: https://www.uwe.ac.uk/courses/applying/international-applications/english-language-requirements
You should state the grade achieved for your undergraduate research project on your application.

In addition, applicants must:

be academically able to succeed at doctoral level and able to develop professional practice to doctoral level
have reached a level of maturity, which is not to do with age, to enable them to work with the emotional demands of vulnerable clients and the personal development aspects of the course
be open-minded and respectful of diverse views and perspectives
have the capacity for self reflection and be open to feedback from others
demonstrate a good level of interpersonal skills and sensitivity to others
have the ability to synthesise and communicate complex ideas both verbally and in writing.
Health assessment/declaration - applicants must be in good health. Those offered a place are required to complete a questionnaire and be prepared to undergo a medical examination if necessary.

Disclosure of Criminal Background - the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 does not apply and all convictions, including those which are spent, must be disclosed. This is in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Applicants who are offered a place must undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form. All information will be treated in confidence and only taken into account when absolutely necessary.

Occasionally applicants are eligible for entry under an Accredited Prior Learning scheme. We review these applications on an individual basis. Our policy is based on HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Counselling Psychologists and applicants must be able to demonstrate that they meet relevant Standards of Proficiency.

Deferred entry
We do not accept deferred entry applications for this course.

Stages of your application:

Submit your application online, complete with contact details for your referees by the application deadline (one of your referees must be an educational referee that is able to comment on your ability to work at doctoral level and complete a doctoral research project). Your personal statement should not exceed 1,000 words.

If you are shortlisted for interview you'll need to provide two pieces of work no later than one week before the interview date. Please be aware the turnaround times between the closing date and interviews can be very short so you are strongly advised to prepare these pieces of work in advance:

A draft 1,000 word research proposal.

A 1,000 word narrative on 'Becoming a Counselling Psychologist'. Please use the guidance notes to ensure you submit something appropriate.

You'll be given the opportunity to ask about the course and meet the programme team. This will be followed by an individual interview which will be in two parts with two members of academic staff. One part is a clinical interview, the other is a research interview.

If you are offered a place on the course you'll be asked to complete DBS and Occupational Health checks.

You'll also be expected to begin arranging your placement and you'll be able to access our programme database of placement providers to support you in this process. You'll need to be in a position to start your placement by the beginning of the course.

You'll also be expected to arrange your personal therapy by the beginning of the course.

Please note that both your placement and your personal therapist will need to be approved by the course.