Humanistic Counselling and Psychotherapy PGDip

Course structure

The course consists of seven modules taught over a period of two years. Study involves one day per week at the university, eight non-residential weekends, two two-day blocks in September of the second year and one further study day.

In addition to academic study, you need to complete 100 hours of supervised counselling practice in an approved clinical practice area. Students are required to find their own clinical practice area and this will be discussed with you at interview. Clinical practice areas often provide clinical supervision as part of the clinical practice experience however you may be required to pay for external supervision and we recommend that you factor this into the cost of the course.

You also need to undertake a course of personal therapy that lasts for the duration of the course, from October of year 1 to June of year 2 or until you finish the course if you have not fulfilled the course requirements, and we recommend that you factor in the cost of this therapy before your application.

Assessment consists of three written essays and two audio-taped assignments; one case study and a research proposal. You will also be asked to keep a reflective journal during the life of the course that focuses on academic and professional studies; clinical practice, training supervision and personal growth and development. 

Areas of study

The course contains four major elements: academic and professional studies, clinical practice, training supervision, and personal growth and development.

The course is designed to:

• provide a sound base of theory and practitioner attributes for persons practising counselling;
• illuminate theory and practice by drawing upon students’ personal experience;
• promote personal growth and self-awareness essential to successful counselling.

The philosophy of the course is based on the principle that there is no single presiding theory or model of counselling that commands widespread agreement and support, and that the practice of counselling cannot be separated from underlying values, theoretical assumptions and hypotheses concerning the nature of human experience and change.

Successfully completing this postgraduate diploma makes you eligible to apply to continue your studies on our Psychotherapy MSc.

Year 1

Modules

• Humanistic Counselling Theory and Human Growth and Development – semester 1
• Humanistic Counselling Practice and Personal Development – experiential workshops and process groups – semester 1 and 2
• Themes in Professional Practice – semester 2

Year 2

Modules

• Research Methods for Counselling and Psychotherapy – five-day study time at the beginning of the second year
• Critical Perspectives in Humanistic Counselling – semester 1 and 2
• Applied Humanistic Counselling Practice 1 – semester 1 experiential workshops and process group
• Applied Humanistic Counselling Practice 2 – semester 2 experiential workshops and process group

Preliminary reading

Students wishing to gain an understanding of the humanistic approach may wish to read some of the following texts.

• Bazzano M. and Webb J. (2016) Therapy and the Counter-Tradition: The edge of philosophy Routledge
• Bott D. and Howard P. (2012) The Therapeutic Encounter: A Cross Modality Approach Sage
• Largo C. and Charura D. (Eds) (2016) Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy Handbook. Origins, Developments and Applications Open University Press
• Proctor G. (2017) Dynamics of Power in Counselling and Psychotherapy: Ethics, Politics and Practice (2nd Ed.) PCCS Books
• Sanders P. (2012) Tribes of the person-centred nation; a guide to the schools of therapy related to the person-centred approach (2nd Ed) Ross-on-Wye: PCCS Books
• Wilkins P. (2015) Person-Centred and Experiential Therapies: contemporary approaches and issues in practice Sage

When we are dealing with human beings, no truth has reality by itself; it is always dependent upon the reality of the immediate relationship

Rollo May, The Origins of the Existential Movement in Psychology, Existence. (1958)

FAQs

Should I apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic Counselling and Psychotherapy or the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy?

We can provide a few pointers for you, but ultimately you must make the decision. To help you differentiate between the two courses, you could attend an open day or do some reading around the relevant subject areas.

I haven't studied psychology before. Does this matter?

No, it doesn't. The Humanistic course draws on a wide range of ideas and concepts. Humanistic counselling has as its base philosophy of mind. We do, however, require you to have spent a minimum of 30 hours on an accredited counselling skills course.

Does it matter that I've been out of education for a number of years?

No. Provided you meet all the requirements, you should be offered an interview for the course. Many of our students are returning to study after a few years away, in fact, the average age for the postgraduate diplomas is around 40.

I use counselling skills in my job as a nurse/social worker/teacher. Do I still have to take an introductory counselling course?

Yes, unless as a formal part of your training you took an assessed module in counselling skills. If so, you would need to provide full details of the module you took in the further information section on the application form.

Will my previous counselling or therapy count in lieu of the requirement to be in therapy during the course?

No. You will need to start therapy again with an approved therapist.

I know a counselling practice area is part of the course, but does the course guarantee to find me one?

No. We do have a list of clinical practice areas which previous students have gone to and we have good relationships with many local counselling agencies but the final responsibility lies with you. During the first semester we invite a number of practice   managers/directors to come and talk about what they offer but students must make individual applications to agencies.

Application process

We expect to offer 22–25 places for this course and hold a reserve list of four.

Step 1

• Submit your completed application by 15 January, this includes completed references.  
• Ensure that you accurately record all relevant completed or pending qualifications – scan and attach your certificates.  
• Provide two references – alert your referees that they should receive an email request and to check all email folders. Please note that is up to you to follow up with referees to ensure these are submitted before the deadline of 15 January.

Your application may be rejected if you do not provide the correct information or references by the deadline.

Step 2

• Our admissions office reviews all applications.  
• Complete applications meeting the entry criteria are submitted to the course tutor for review and selection.
• All fully completed applications received by 15 January will receive equal consideration.
• Candidates will be selected for interview based on the strength of their application.
• Applications received after this date may still be considered, if we have vacancies on the course or for a place on the reserve list.

Step 3

• Selected applicants will be invited for interview from early February.
• You will be asked to write a character sketch to bring to your interview.
• You will be interviewed by two course tutors.

Step 4

• Successful applicants will be made an offer of a place on the course in May, once all applicants have been interviewed.  
• You will be advised if this is a reserve list place – reserve places may become available if a candidate needs to decline their accepted offer.

Step 5

• Meet any conditions of your offer. This may include submitting evidence of the qualification you are studying.
• Pay the non-refundable £250 deposit to confirm your place on the course. This is required within one month of your offer being made or we may offer your place to another candidate.

Course fees

Non-refundable deposit

To secure your offer or a place a £250 non-refundable deposit is required within one month of notification for payment. If your offer is received after 15 August, it may be possible to negotiate a date with the course leader. Please note this payment is required before you begin the course.

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Info

The fees listed here are for courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

Where UK students are subject to regulated fees, the annual fee increase cannot exceed the UK government’s maximum regulated tuition fee limit set for the relevant year. For all other students, ie those not subject to regulated fees, tuition fees are subject to a maximum annual increase of the higher of 5% or RPI.

Visit our advice for part-time students page. If you have specific queries about the course fee, our fees team will be happy to help. Email them at fees@brighton.ac.uk.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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