Overview

Help people navigate life's challenges through the power of counselling and psychotherapy.

With the MSc Counselling Practice programme, you can develop advanced knowledge of counselling and psychotherapy through a specialist pathway in either Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Existential Psychodynamic Therapy (EPT).

You will explore contemporary counselling theory, research, ethics and approaches to therapeutic practice. Through critical, reflective and evidence-informed learning, you will develop your academic understanding of therapeutic relationships, assessment and intervention. This will also deepen your understanding of professional judgement and the wider contexts in which counselling and psychotherapy take place.

This programme combines a Glasgow Caledonian University academic award with separate professional training that is specific to your chosen pathway, delivered by specialist counselling and psychotherapy partners.

The programme has two clearly defined components:

Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip), studied over two years onsite with the specialist counselling and psychotherapy partner for your chosen pathway. The academic modules are provided and quality assured by Glasgow Caledonian University. Successful completion leads to the GCU Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) in Counselling Practice.
MSc dissertation, completed at Glasgow Caledonian University's Glasgow campus. After completing the PgDip, you can choose to progress to the dissertation. Successful completion leads to the full MSc Counselling Practice award.

Alongside your academic studies, the specialist partner for your chosen pathway will separately deliver and oversee its practical and professional training requirements. These differ between CBT and EPT and may include supervised client practice, work-based learning, clinical supervision, personal therapy and other professional development.

Throughout the academic programme, you will be a fully enrolled Glasgow Caledonian University student, with access to relevant GCU learning resources, student support and University services.

Choose your pathway

You'll choose one of two pathways, each offering a distinct approach to counselling and psychotherapy:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), delivered in partnership with ACT Counselling and Training Services Ltd (ACT) in Rutherglen, Glasgow. Develop advanced academic understanding of CBT theory, ethical practice, research and evidence-informed treatment approaches. You'll explore CBT models and their application to anxiety, mood disorders and trauma, alongside assessment, treatment planning and therapeutic communication. ACT separately delivers and oversees the practical and professional training requirements for this pathway.
Existential Psychodynamic Therapy (EPT), delivered in partnership with the Edinburgh Centre for Psychodynamic Therapy (ECPT) in Edinburgh. Develop a critical, reflective and research-informed understanding of Existential Psychodynamic Therapy. You'll explore unconscious processes, relational dynamics, personality development, attachment, identity and the existential dimensions of human experience. ECPT separately delivers and oversees the practical and professional training requirements for this pathway.

You can find more information about each pathway in the Additional Information section below.

Part-time study

The programme is delivered part-time.

You will normally:

complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Practice over two years; and
if you choose to progress, complete the GCU dissertation during a further period of study to achieve the MSc Counselling Practice.

Progression to the dissertation is subject to successful completion of the taught Postgraduate Diploma stage and the relevant GCU progression requirements.

Is this course for me?

This course is suitable if you want to develop advanced academic knowledge of counselling and psychotherapy through a specialist pathway in CBT or EPT.

The programme is open to applicants assessed as having Home fee status only and is not available to international-fee applicants.

Applicants will typically hold a degree, although an alternative entry route is available if you don't have one. You'll also need to meet the selection and professional training requirements for your chosen pathway. Applications are made through the specialist partner for your pathway in the first instance.

Check the Entry Requirements section below for full details.

Why study Counselling Practice at GCU?

Choose a specialist pathway in either Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Existential Psychodynamic Therapy (EPT), allowing you to focus your studies on your chosen therapeutic approach.
Gain an MSc awarded by Glasgow Caledonian University while completing pathway-specific training with an experienced specialist partner.
Build advanced academic knowledge of counselling theory, ethics and research, while developing your understanding of evidence-informed therapeutic approaches.
Study part-time with the flexibility to graduate with the Postgraduate Diploma or progress to the full MSc through the GCU dissertation.
Benefit from an alternative entry route, with contextual offers providing eligible applicants without a degree a pathway to the PgDip.

What you will study

Pathway – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT Theory, Treatment and Ethical Practice

CBT in Context: Advanced Research Skills and Models of Therapy

CBT Disorder Specific Treatment for Anxiety Disorders

CBT Disorder Specific Treatment for Mood Disorders and Trauma

Dissertation

Pathway – Existential and Psychodynamic Therapy (EPT)

Theoretical Foundations of Psychodynamic and Existential Practice

Existential–Psychodynamic Practice in Contemporary Clinical Contexts

Relational Development of Personality, Attachment and Identity

Research, Professional Practice, and Integration

Dissertation

Please note that full module information is in the process of being finalised for publication and will be made available here shortly.

In the meantime, you can view and download the Programme Specification at the bottom of this page. This document provides an overview of the course structure, including indicative modules, learning content and further key information. The modules listed on the Programme Specification are for the current academic year and are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course.

Careers

The MSc Counselling Practice supports advanced academic and professional development in CBT, EPT and the wider mental health sector. Through your chosen pathway, you'll develop specialist theoretical knowledge, critical and reflective skills, and research awareness. You'll also build an advanced understanding of ethical and evidence-informed practice.

The GCU academic award sits alongside the practical and professional training delivered separately by ACT or ECPT. If you successfully complete both the GCU academic programme and the relevant partner-led professional training, you may be supported in working towards professional recognition. This will depend on the requirements of your intended professional body.

Professional bodies set their own requirements for education, practice, supervision, membership and accreditation. Completing the GCU Postgraduate Diploma or MSc does not, by itself, lead to professional registration or accreditation.

The MSc can also support progression into further professional education, research or doctoral-level study.

This programme is not professionally accredited. However, you may use evidence from the programme and the separately completed partner-led practical training to demonstrate how you meet relevant education and training requirements when applying to professional bodies and registers. You can find more information in the Additional Information section below.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
CBT pathway – PgD Counselling Practice	Part time	2-3 years	Sep 27	Glasgow (Rutherglen)	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
EPT pathway – PgD Counselling Practice	Part time	2-3 years	Sep 27	Edinburgh	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
CBT pathway – MSc Counselling Practice	Part time	3 years	Sep 27	Glasgow (Rutherglen)	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
EPT pathway – MSc Counselling Practice	Part time	3 years	Sep 27	Edinburgh	Enquire

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Standard entry requirement

Applicants will typically hold a UK Bachelor’s degree with Honours at 2:2 or above, or an equivalent qualification.

Applicants who do not hold a degree may also be considered if they hold a COSCA Counselling Skills Certificate at SCQF Level 8, or an equivalent qualification, and can provide evidence of their ability to study at SCQF Level 11.

Applicants must also meet the selection and suitability requirements of their chosen pathway partner. Relevant professional, voluntary or lived experience may be considered as part of this assessment but does not replace the approved academic entry requirements.

Pathway-specific requirements may include:

a personal statement demonstrating the relevance of previous study and experience
evidence of readiness for postgraduate study
relevant counselling skills education or experience
an interview with the pathway provider
evidence of suitability to undertake the associated practical and professional training.

Applicants should apply to ACT or ECPT in the first instance. Applicants who successfully complete the partner selection process and meet the academic entry requirements will then be invited to apply to Glasgow Caledonian University.

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

The tuition fees you pay are mostly determined by your fee status. What is my student fee status?

Fees are subject to change and are published here for guidance only.

2026/2027 annual tuition fees

Please visit our central tuition fees section for details.

Additional costs

The published GCU tuition fee does not necessarily cover the additional costs associated with the separate practical and professional training requirements managed by ACT or ECPT.

Depending on the chosen pathway, additional costs may include:

external clinical supervision, currently estimated at approximately £40 to £60 per session
personal therapy where required, with costs dependent on the therapist and frequency of attendance
PVG Scheme membership or an existing-member application, where required;
professional indemnity insurance
student membership of a relevant professional body
travel to teaching, placement, supervision or personal therapy
placement-related expenses
books, specialist resources or other materials recommended by the pathway partner.

Current standard PVG application fees are £59 for joining the scheme or £18 for an existing-member application, although exemptions or fee waivers may apply in some circumstances.

ACT and ECPT will provide applicants with detailed information about their pathway-specific requirements and anticipated additional costs before enrolment. Applicants should consider these costs alongside the GCU tuition fee when deciding whether to accept a place.

SAAS Funding

Eligible Scottish-domiciled students may be able to apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland for a part-time postgraduate tuition-fee loan of up to £7,000 towards the course.

SAAS funding is subject to individual and course eligibility and may not cover the full tuition fee or additional pathway-specific costs. Applicants should check the current SAAS guidance before applying. For more information please visit the SAAS website:

Student Awards Agency Scotland website

How the programme works

The programme has two clearly defined components.

The academic component is provided, quality assured and awarded by Glasgow Caledonian University. You will normally complete four modules within your chosen pathway. Successful completion leads to the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Practice.

The academic modules are delivered through GCU’s partnership arrangements with:

ACT Counselling and Training Services Ltd for the CBT pathway; or
Edinburgh Centre for Psychodynamic Therapy for the EPT pathway.

Alongside the GCU academic award, your chosen partner will separately deliver and oversee the practical and professional training requirements associated with its pathway. These requirements vary between the CBT and EPT pathways and may include supervised client practice, work-based learning experiences, clinical supervision, personal therapy and other professional development requirements.

The partner-managed practical training requirements do not form part of the GCU academic credits or award. Completion of the GCU Postgraduate Diploma or MSc alone does not confirm that all practical training or professional-body requirements have been met.

After successfully completing the Postgraduate Diploma, you can choose to graduate with that qualification or progress to the GCU dissertation module. Successful completion of the dissertation leads to the MSc Counselling Practice.

Throughout the academic programme, you will be a fully enrolled Glasgow Caledonian University student, with access to relevant GCU learning resources, student support and University services.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Pathway

The CBT pathway focuses on the theories, research and evidence-informed approaches underpinning CBT. Delivered through GCU’s partnership with ACT Counselling and Training Services Ltd (ACT), you will complete the academic Postgraduate Diploma stage at ACT’s training centre in Rutherglen, Glasgow.

Through the academic modules, you will develop:

critical understanding of CBT theory, treatment models and ethical practice
advanced knowledge of therapeutic communication, assessment and treatment planning
understanding of evidence-informed CBT interventions
specialist knowledge relating to anxiety disorders, mood disorders and trauma
understanding of wider models of therapy and their relationship to CBT
research and critical appraisal skills
awareness of the ethical, legal and professional responsibilities associated with counselling
reflective understanding of continuing professional development.

ACT offers part-time teaching options, which may include the option of weekday or weekend study.

ACT separately manages the practical and professional training requirements associated with the CBT pathway. Applicants should contact ACT for detailed information about practice hours, placement arrangements, clinical supervision and any other pathway-specific requirements or costs.

Visit the ACT Counselling and Training Services website.

Existential Psychodynamic Therapy (EPT) Pathway

The EPT pathway provides specialist study in Existential Psychodynamic Therapy, a relational approach that considers unconscious processes alongside the existential dimensions of human experience. Delivered through GCU’s partnership with the Edinburgh Centre for Psychodynamic Therapy, you will complete the academic Postgraduate Diploma stage at ECPT’s training centre in Edinburgh.

Through the academic modules, you will develop:

critical understanding of the theoretical foundations of EPT
advanced knowledge of personality development, attachment and identity
understanding of unconscious processes and relational dynamics
critical appreciation of EPT within contemporary clinical contexts
research skills supporting critical enquiry and engagement with the evidence base
reflective understanding of therapeutic relationships and professional practice
awareness of the ethical, legal and professional responsibilities associated with counselling and psychotherapy.

ECPT currently offers weekday delivery for the academic pathway. ECPT separately manages the practical and professional training requirements associated with the EPT pathway. Applicants should contact ECPT for detailed information about supervised client practice, work-based learning, clinical supervision, personal therapy and any other pathway-specific requirements or costs.

Visit the Edinburgh Centre for Psychodynamic Therapy website.

Learning and teaching methods

The academic programme combines theoretical, research-informed and reflective learning.

Academic learning and teaching methods may include:

lectures
seminars and facilitated discussions
case-based learning
individual and group activities
skills-focused classroom activities
guided independent study
reflective learning
research and critical appraisal activities
online learning resources.

The precise learning and teaching methods vary between modules and pathways.

Separate practical and professional learning is delivered and overseen by ACT or ECPT. This may include supervised client practice, placement or work-based learning, clinical supervision, personal therapy and other pathway-specific professional development activities. The partner-led practical training sits alongside, but is separate from, the GCU academic programme.

Assessment methods

Assessment within the GCU academic programme is primarily coursework based.

Depending on the module and pathway, academic assessment methods may include:

essays and written assignments
case studies
critical reviews of literature and research
reflective academic work
reports
portfolios
presentations or structured oral assessments
a dissertation for the MSc award.

Assessment of any separate clinical practice, placement, supervision or other professional training requirements is managed by the relevant pathway partner and does not form part of the GCU academic award unless explicitly identified within an approved GCU module specification.

The Common Good

The MSc Counselling Practice supports GCU Common Good mission by developing critical, ethical, reflective and socially responsible graduates. The programme encourages you to consider the social, cultural and structural factors that influence mental health and wellbeing and to develop an inclusive and evidence-informed approach to CBT and EPT related practice. Through the academic programme and your separate pathway-specific professional training, you will be encouraged to consider how compassionate and ethical practice can contribute positively to individuals, families and communities.

Professional recognition

The MSc Counselling Practice is not professionally accredited. The Postgraduate Diploma and MSc are academic awards made by Glasgow Caledonian University. Depending on your chosen pathway, you may use evidence from the GCU academic programme and the separately completed partner-led practical training to demonstrate how you meet relevant education and training requirements when applying to professional bodies and registers.

These may include:

British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) – principally relevant to the CBT pathway.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) – potentially relevant to both pathways, subject to the applicant meeting the requirements for their intended membership or accreditation route.
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) – potentially relevant to the Existential Psychodynamic Therapy pathway. Applications are normally considered through an appropriate UKCP accrediting organisation, which assesses the applicant’s academic learning, clinical training, client-contact hours and wider experience against its requirements.
British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC) – potentially relevant to students following the Existential Psychodynamic Therapy pathway who wish to pursue a professional route related to psychodynamic or psychoanalytic practice. Applicants may be required to apply through a BPC Member Institution or an appropriate equivalence process.

You may also be able to use evidence from their academic and partner-led training when applying to other relevant professional bodies or accredited registers. The appropriate route will depend on the chosen therapeutic modality, previous qualifications, professional experience and the requirements in place at the time of application.

Completion of the GCU Postgraduate Diploma or MSc does not automatically confer professional registration or accreditation.

You may also need to evidence requirements relating to:

supervised client practice and client-contact hours
clinical supervision
assessed therapeutic competence
personal therapy or personal development
previous professional training and experience
continuing professional and ethical practice.

These practical and professional training requirements are delivered and overseen separately by ACT or ECPT. Each professional body, register or accrediting organisation is responsible for determining whether an individual applicant has provided sufficient evidence to meet its current requirements. You should discuss your intended professional route with your chosen pathway partner and review the current requirements of the relevant professional body or register before applying or accepting a place.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus of their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.