Counselling (Children and Young People) - MSc
Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry.
Our MSc Counselling (Children and Young People) course includes a minimum of 100 hours of supervised client practice hours. The placements will take place with our placement partners locally. Placements in areas other than Birmingham may be possible by negotiation....
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City Centre
- Award MSc
- Start date September 2023
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Social Sciences
- Faculty Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences
Overview
Our MSc Counselling (Children and Young People) course includes a minimum of 100 hours of supervised client practice hours.
The placements will take place with our placement partners locally. Placements in areas other than Birmingham may be possible by negotiation.
The course aims to meet the professional accreditation requirements in counselling children and young people that will enable successful graduates (who have also met all required professional practice components) to continue towards accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Upon completion of the course you will have demonstrated sound practical counselling competence that will enable you to complete the BACP proficiency certificate and to apply for BACP registration. Your BCU qualification and BACP registration will enable you seek employment as a counsellor with children and young people as you work towards full BACP accreditation.
What's covered in this course?
During the first semester, the focus will be on the development of the necessary knowledge and competence to be able to begin practical counselling with child clients. Course and placement structures will ensure that work is performed safely and with appropriate support and guidance in accordance with the BACP ethical framework.
Two skills modules in semester 1 and placement modules in semester 2 and 3 will ensure the on-going integration of theory and practice. A focus on play, the use of creative media and an in-depth exploration of the knowledge base (detailed by the professional standards of education and training for child counselling) will ensure an appropriately level of skill and competence.
Your personal tutor will actively support you through the process of applying, obtaining and settling into placements from our list of approved placement providers in a process designed to provide the experience and practical competence you will need to find employment when you graduate.
Placements are supported and closely monitored by the staff team, who are all professional child counsellors and psychotherapists.
Supervision costs are included in the overall course fee, and supervision is fully integrated into your course in a way that enhances your learning and meets professional body requirements.
During the final semester, an extended practice-based research project will support your understanding of the importance of outcome measure in child therapy and develop your competence in child counselling research.
Why Choose Us?
- You will receive a quality learning experience that meets professional standards and that will enable you to achieve professional accreditation
- All supervision costs for the year are included in the course fee. The only additional cost is for personal therapy (at a discounted rate as detailed above)
- You will be studying within a thriving and research active psychology department with a strong specialism in child psychology
- You will be taught by professional child counsellors and psychotherapists
- A strong student focus at the forefront of our approach, with everything designed to give you the skills you need to succeed in the profession
- You’ll have the opportunity to work in collaboration with our academic researchers in the area of children development and therapeutic interventions
- The course is strongly practice based, with all assessments focussing on practical skills or the links between theory and practice
- You will study in our state-of-the-art City Centre Campus, ideally located for you to take advantage of our links to industry in the UK’s second city
OPEN DAY
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to meet us in person. You'll get the chance to learn about courses in subject talks, chat to tutors and explore our campus. We'll post you a detailed event programme to help plan your day and find your way.
Next Event: Saturday 24 June
Entry Requirements
Essential Requirements
| Typical Offers (UK Students) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Applicants must have a minimum 2:2 degree in a BPS accredited Psychology degree. |
||
|
Entry via alternative equivalent qualification and experience will be considered on a case by case basis. |
||
|
Evidence of personal resilience and resources, maturity and emotional stability to support the intensity of the training process, the profession of child counselling, and of working with people in a responsible role. |
||
|
Applicants will also be required to undertake an interview. |
||
Additional information for EU/International students
| Essential | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
||
| English language requirements 2020/21 | ||
| IELTS |
6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
|
| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MSc
Starting: Sep 2023
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 Year
- £13,500 in 2023/24
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MSc
Starting: Sep 2023
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 Year
- £19,665 in 2023/24
Personal statement
You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.
Course in Depth
Modules
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following core modules (totalling 180 credits):
This module is delivered intensively across the first 4 weeks of semester 1 and will enable you to gain the essential knowledge and skill often specified as an entry requirement for practitioner courses. The module focuses on generic counselling theory, skills and introductory ethics and as such does not focus specifically on any particular client or age group. You will not commence learning on other modules during this four week period. In order to progress to semester 2 and to begin professional practice with clients in semester 2, you will need to achieve a pass in this module and in PSY7069 Initial Counselling Practice.
Initial Counselling Practice: Theory, Ethics and Context 20 credits
Child and Young Person Development 20 credits
Developing Counselling Practice: Theory, Ethics and Context 20 credits
The Mental, Emotional and Psychological Health and Disease of Children and Young People 20 credits
Diversity, Cultural, Familial & Contextual Dynamics 20 credits
Consolidating Counselling Practice: Theory, Ethics and Context 20 credits
Counselling Children and Young People Research Project 40 credits
Download course specification
Download nowSt Martin’s Counselling and Psychotherapy Service
One of the placement providers for our MSc Counselling (Children and Young People) course is St. Martin's Counselling and Psychotherapy Service. We asked those who already work with the service what it is like to work for the organisation:
"I have a lot of experience working within this area as a previous primary teacher/Head. I can't recommend St Martin's highly enough. They are so supportive to both clients and counsellors when there are challenges."
Maggie
"I have been volunteering at St. Martin's for approximately two years and have found both the management and admin team very supportive. I have valued their professionalism in keeping me updated in regard to new allocations and cancellation of appointments. During the first lockdown St Martin's were very quick to move to online work and showed great commitment in providing support to their volunteers in this transition period."
Yasmeen
"As a volunteer, beginning my counselling journey at St Martin's, I can admit I was a little nervous - however this soon disappeared. I have found all at St Martin's to be friendly, professional, understanding and kind. It is a place filled with knowledge and experience, and being here has helped my personal development. I can safely say that St Martin's is a place where you can grow, meet other therapists and obtain skills that will enable you to provide a safe place for the client and you to work in."
Melrose
"St. Martin's is well-run and organised, which enables you to focus on the job of being a counsellor / therapist, with their staff being professional, friendly and approachable. As a placement provider, they are accommodating and understanding to the needs of trainees. Additionally, it holds a great opportunity to build up longer term client work, which has been invaluable in my professional development and has seen me continue, post-qualification, as a volunteer. "
Jen
Employability
International
Welcome to the School of Social Sciences, home to students from all around the world!
All of our undergraduate and postgraduate social sciences courses are open to international students, and our courses have been tailored to take a global approach to learning.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £340 million on new learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other social sciences, law and business students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
Realistic, simulated environments include two mock court rooms, a Magistrates' and Crown Court, and an interviewing suite. We’re also exploring the use of virtual environments as a way to develop case study analysis.
For those studying on the BA (Hons) Policing or BA (Hons) Criminology, Policing and Investigation degrees, you’ll experience simulations of police interviewing environments for both suspects and witnesses, with access to tape recording and video playback analysis.
Crime investigation files are prepared using computer-based technology, and the crime data analysis requirements of the degree are supported by appropriate statistical and analytical software.
Psychology students can look forward to using state-of-the-art equipment as well, including the latest in eye-tracking software, and our new EEG machine, all geared towards giving you true hands-on experience with tools you’ll be using in your later career. You will also benefit from facilities across the wider campus including the Parkside and Millennium Point buildings.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Our staff
Dr Fran Renwick
Senior Lecturer, Course Director : MSc Integrative Psychotherapy
Teaching enables Dr Fran Renwick to share some of the knowledge and practical skills she has gained as a psychotherapist with extensive experience in clinical practice, supervision and service management.
More about Fran