course page main image

Counselling (Children and Young People) - MSc

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 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
  • Award MSc
  • Start date September 2025

This course is:

Open to International Students

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.

This course is open to International students.

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 a virtual Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail. Booking isn't open yet for this event, register your interest and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.

Next Event: 5 February 2025

Register your interest

Entry Requirements

Essential 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 be required to undertake an interview.

Successful candidates will be required to obtain an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prior to enrolling on this course.

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

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

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 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

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 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Supervision

Supervision of counselling placement costs are included (normally £50 x 25 hours).

DBS check

If you are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for this course, the cost for your first DBS check is included in your fees.

Specialist equipment (mandatory)

This course requires the purchase of specialist equipment, including a creative media therapy kit at an estimated cost of around £50.

Therapy sessions (mandatory)

You will require 40 hours of personal therapy, costs will vary between £50 and £70 per hour.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Personal stationery and study materials (optional)

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials.

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

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.

If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.

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

Level 6

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete the following 20 credit CORE modules: 

Level 7

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 160 credits): 

Employability

International

Welcome to Birmingham City University, home to students from all around the world!

Most of our undergraduate and postgraduate courses within the faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences are open to international students, and our courses have been tailored to take a global approach to learning.

More information for International students

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

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 over £400 million on new learning facilities.

Psychology Labs

Explore the cutting-edge psychology labs, their resources and spaces that support our quest to unravel the complexities of the human mind and behaviour.

Learn about the Psychology Labs

Curzon with Millennium Point and Parkside

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) Professional  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

Associate Professor, Academic Lead: Counselling & 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

Kirsten Antoncich

Senior Lecturer and Course Leader

Kirsten initially trained in Psychology, moving into education with children displaying complex and challenging needs.

More about Kirsten