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Are you interested in applying positive psychology and positive psychotherapy in practice as a counsellor or psychotherapist? Our dual qualification Master’s in Counselling and Positive Psychology offers you the opportunity to develop core counselling skills, alongside your understanding of the theoretical models of counselling and psychotherapy. We’ll support you to gain the ABC level 4 Diploma in Counselling, and help you prepare to meet the BACP registration requirements.
Key information
Award:
MSc
Mode of Study:
Full-time
Duration:
18 months
Location:
University of Bolton
Start date:
25/09/2023
Course Details
Our MSc in Counselling and Positive Psychology takes you on an immersive journey exploring the applications of a relatively new subject area within psychology and its relevance and benefits for counsellors and psychotherapists. Offering two qualifications and support to prepare for professional registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), this career relevant course is designed to take you deep into the concepts, theories and practice of counselling and positive psychology.
With a special focus on the applications of positive psychology and positive psychotherapy for counselling, the course is taught by experienced and enthusiastic teaching staff with an excellent knowledge base. You’ll have the opportunity to practice counselling and psychotherapy skills independently under supervision and guidance. We’ll encourage you to explore and critically debate positive psychology’s new techniques and research, supporting you to evaluate developing theories and applications in positive psychology. Our supportive and passionate team offers expert training in counselling skills, techniques, helping you to conceptualise, design and implement theory in to practice.
Successfully completing the University of Bolton’s MSc in Counselling and Positive Psychology can put you in a highly favourable position for seeking employment in relevant helping professions, educational institutions, and for securing a place on a specialist psychology-related higher degree or doctorate programme. You could also become an individual counselling practitioner.
Highlights
On successful completion of this course, you’ll be awarded an MSc in Counselling and Positive Psychology by the University of Bolton and gain the ABC level 4 Diploma in Counselling.
For the duration of the course, our expert team will also support you as you prepare to undertake the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Certificate of Proficiency exam required for registration with this well-respected professional body (fees apply).
We’ll support you as you develop an in-depth and advanced knowledge of this emerging field of positive psychology, and its applications for counselling and psychotherapy.
Our teaching staff for this programme are involved in therapeutic practice and ongoing research in this subject.
You’ll be supported throughout the programme, receiving help in areas such as finding a placement and having the right supervisors for your placement, as well as with your final research project.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to develop highly sought-after skills in practice, critical evaluation and reflection relating to counselling and positive psychology.
Key Features
An enthusiastic, dedicated and supportive teaching team delivers this pioneering programme.
The course curriculum gives you the opportunity to deliver counselling and psychotherapy to clients under supervision while you are in your placement.
Learning and teaching is student-centred, with small group sessions and one-to-one tutorials. This is supported by the University’s virtual learning environment.
You can enjoy contributions from expert guest speakers on a range of subjects covered in this exciting postgraduate programme.
The programme is designed to enhance your employability, particularly in the counselling and psychotherapy fields – or to help you progress to further studies in psychology or counselling.
By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes Bolton an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
Professional recognition
On successful completion of this course, you’ll be awarded an MSc in Counselling and Positive Psychology by the University of Bolton and gain the ABC level 4 Diploma in Counselling.
For the duration of the course, our expert team will also support you as you prepare to undertake the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Certificate of Proficiency exam required for registration with this well-respected professional body (fees apply).
You should have an Upper Second Class (2.1) Honours degree (or higher) in Psychology or a relevant area. If you have a Lower Second Class (2:2) Honours degree in Psychology, then you may be accepted on to the programme.
All suitable applicants will be invited to attend an interview and provide proof of one-to-one basis work experience in a helping role.
You will also need to provide two satisfactory references (one for academic capacity and one for work/voluntary experience).
We may also ask you to provide a portfolio of your work, as part of the application process.
This course does not confer Graduate Basis for Registration (GBR) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) – if you are seeking to achieve GBR please consider applying for our MSc Psychology (Conversion) programme.
We'll also consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable young people and adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
The MSc in Counselling and Positive Psychology focuses on the core counselling skills, counselling theories, and applications of positive psychology and psychotherapy in practice. It looks at the impact of counselling and psychotherapy on a person’s wellbeing and what makes people thrive.
The course is designed to develop your employability skills, including intellectual and thinking skills, problem solving, interpersonal awareness, communication skills, your ability to develop arguments supported by relevant evidence, and team work, IT and data handling skills.
What can I do with this qualification?
A Master’s in Counselling and Positive Psychology can be used in a wide variety of job roles within practice, education and training, business, healthcare, charities and government agencies. As a graduate, you could even use helping skills and positive psychology techniques to work in business organisations.
If you’re aiming to become an assistant psychologist, clinical psychologist, counsellor, counselling psychologist, life skills coach, wellbeing practitioner, or psychotherapist, the theory and transferable skills offered by this course should also benefit your clinical work. Teachers, youth workers and educators can also use counselling and positive psychology expertise in their work.
Some graduates may choose to continue their education to doctorate level. Continuing your education would give you the opportunity to develop your skills further and research your area of interest.
Alternative career options
Graduates can use the qualification as a stepping stone to enter a range of other careers, and for some of these roles, both relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:
Teaching and education
Prison service counsellor
Probation services
Family mediation and support
Child protection
Social work
Police
Youth work
Communications
Sport and recreation
Careers guidance
Human resources
Course fees
Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £5,280 for the academic year 2023/24.
Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £13,550 for the academic year 2023/24.
Useful information
Please note the total course fee for a Home student starting this course in 2022/23 will be £7,020. As this is an 18-month course, the fees are £4,680 for the first year and £2,340 for the final semester.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2022-2023 academic year:
EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status.
If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement.
Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the
normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in
March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen
start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course –
you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be
someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format.
Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page.
If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data
you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394
or admissions@bolton.ac.uk
In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.
Have you completed an English Language qualification prior to application or have a valid exemption as per the list below?
(The qualification/exemption must be uploaded with this application)
E.g. Applicants from Nigeria/Africa must upload their WAEC or NECO certificate before the application is
submitted for a prompt response and offer.
Acceptable English Language Tests – Undergraduate and Postgraduate
These tests must have been taken within 2 years of the start of the course
Test
Entry Requirements
IELTS Academic (taken within 2 years)
Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements
IELTS Indicator
Undergraduate programmes 6.0 with no band below 5.5 Postgraduate programmes as per entry requirements
PTE
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Overall score of 50 with no less than 42 in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Overall score of 58 with no less than 50 in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
Overall score of 65 with no less than 58 in each component
TOEFL iBT Including Special Home Edition
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Overall score of 80 with the following component scores:
Reading – 18
Writing – 17
Listening – 17
Speaking - 20
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Overall Score of 88 with the following component scores:
Reading – 20
Writing – 19
Listening – 19
Speaking 21
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
Overall Score of 100 with the following component scores:
Reading – 23
Writing – 24
Listening – 22
Speaking 22
Pearson Versant
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Overall score of 55
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Overall score of 60
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
Overall score of 65
Trinity College (Integrated Skills)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
ISE II –Distinction in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
ISE III – Pass in each component
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
ISE III – Merit in each component
Other qualifications we currently accept (which do not require an additional SELT)
GCSE in English Language (from a UK awarding body)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade B
Irish Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level English
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C/C3 (20 points)
IGCSE English as a First language
(for syllabus 0500 Listening and Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade B
IGCSE English as a Second language
(for syllabus 0510 Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade C
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade B
Cambridge Advanced English
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
170 points with no component below 160
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
180 points with no component below 170
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 7.0
185 points with no component below 180
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus A)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade 4
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade 5
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Standard or Higher Level English Language (Syllabus B)
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade 5
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade 6
European Baccalaureate English Language
Undergraduate and Postgraduate requiring IELTS6.0
Grade 70%
Postgraduate requiring IELTS 6.5
Grade 80%
Acceptable European qualifications
English component must be obtained within the last 4 years
Country
Qualification
Austria
Reifeprufungszeugnis/Maturazeugnis at 2.0
Belgium
Diplome d'acces a l'enseignment superieur/Diplome van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs at 75%
Bulgaria
Diploma Za Sredno Obrazovanie at Grade 3
Croatia
Svjedodzba o Maturi at grade 4.0
Cyprus
Apolyterion at 15
Czech Republic
Maturitni Zkou'ce/Maturita at grade 2.0
Denmark
Studentereksamen/HF/HHX/HTX/IBB /Diplomingenior at grade 9
Estonia
Riigieksamitunnistus or Gümnaasiumilõputunnistus at 70%
Finland
Ylioppilastutkintotodistus or Studentexamensbetyg at grade 5
France
Baccalauréat (le bac) or the Option Internationale du Baccalauréat at grade 12.5
Germany
Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife or Abitur or a Fachgebundene Hochschulreife at grade 2 / gut
Greece
Apolyterion at grade 15
Hungary
Erettsegi at grade 4
Italy
Diploma di Esame di Stato at grade 8/80%
Latvia
Atestats Par Visparejo Videjo Izglitib at grade 8
Lithuania
Brandos Atestatas at grade 8
Malta
Matriculation Certificate at grade C
Moldova
Diploma de Bacalaureat or Atestat de Studii Medii de Cultura Generala at grade 9
Netherlands
Diploma Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs (MBO) or Diploma Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) at grade 8
Norway
Vitnemal-Videregaende Opplaering at grade 4
Poland
Swiadectwo Dojrzalosci / Matura at grade 70%
Portugal
Diploma de Ensino Secundario at grade 14
Romania
Diploma de Bacalaureat (English with all components at B2)
Slovakia
Vysvedcenie O Maturitnej at grade 2
Slovenia
Maturitetno Spricevalo at grade 4
Spain
Titulo de Bachillerato at grade 8
Sweden
Fullstandigt Slutbetyg Fran Gymnasiesk at grade C
Switzerland
Maturitatszeugnis or Maturite Federal at grade 5
Ukraine
Aтестат про повну загальну середню освіту at grade 10
Acceptable International Regional qualifications
Must be obtained no more than 4 years before the proposed start date of the course
Country
Qualification
Grade
Bahamas
General Certificate of Secondary Education
Grade C in English
Botswana
General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level
Grade C/4 in English
Brunei
Cambridge O Level
Grade C6 in English
Cameroon
GCE O level
Grade C in English
Hong Kong
HKCEE
Grade C in English (Syllabus B)
Hong Kong
HKDSE
Grade 4 in English
Kenya
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
Grade C in English
Malaysia
Malaysian 1119
Grade 6C in English - IELTS 6.0
Singapore
Singapore Cambridge O Level
Grade C6 in English
South Africa
South Africa National Senior Certificate
Grade 5 in English
Tanzania
Certificate of Secondary Education
Grade C in English
Uganda
Certificate of Education
Grade 6
Zambia
Zambia School Certificate
Grade 6 in English
Zimbabwe
General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level
Grade C in English
Caribbean Examination Council
General proficiency Grade III in English
Nigeria/Ghana
WAEC/NECO
Grade C6 in English
I confirm I hold one of the above English Language Qualifications/Exemptions before making an application. I will upload the evidence with this application.
Unfortunately we would be unable to sponsor under the Student Route Visa. If you do not require a visa to study in the UK please email us for further advice: intadmissions@bolton.ac.uk
Have you read and understood the course entry requirements and confirm that you fully meet the requirements?
(Please click on Entry Requirements tab above to ensure you comply with all the requirements for this course)
I understand that the university reserves the right to withdraw their offer at any stage once the quota for the course has been filled.
I understand that I will be required to pay specific fees before CAS issuance is considered by the university.
I must declare any agent or consultant at the start of my application and they must be on the list of approved agents.
(We also have Branch Offices in Africa,
South Asia, Middle East and
Central Asia who fully manage
applications in their respective regions.)
I am able to complete the course in the normal duration.
I am able to arrive on time for the published start date.
I confirm that I will be 18 years old or more on the start date of the course.
I understand that the following documents will be uploaded as part my application:
(a) Passport with at least 6 months validity before start of course.
(b) Personal statement (written by myself).
(c) CV if applicable.
(d) Previous qualifications.
(e) English language certificate or proof of exemption.
(f) Professional references if applicable.
(g) Bank Statements and TB Certificate if applicable at the CAS issuance stage.
I have read and understood all questions and answered them correctly and truthfully to the best of my ability and knowledge.
The University welcomes applications from international students from all over the world.
We try to make the application process as simple and as fast as possible for our international applicants.
How you apply is determined by your current location and what you are choosing to study:
Apply direct to the University. Links for the next available intakes of this course are shown below.
Please click the link which will direct you to the online application form. Please read the user
guidance before completing this.
Apply via one of our approved in-country referral partners. A list of our partners may be found on the
International pages of this website.
Apply via UCAS for courses starting in September only – visit
www.ucas.com.
Should you have any queries please contact the International Team on +44 (0) 1204 903110 or email
international@bolton.ac.uk
We use a diverse range of teaching methods, designed to complement each other and help you achieve the course’s intended learning outcomes. We offer lectures, seminars, workshops, group supervision and one-to-one sessions – but you’ll also be expected to undertake significant independent reading and investigation, as well as completing seminar-related work and preparing for workshops, presentations and group discussions. Some modules will require you to follow up taught sessions by using online resources and completing complementary tasks.
Assessment methods are also varied, allowing you to demonstrate your learning in a range of ways. For example, module assessments may require you to complete reports, essays, presentations, deliver counselling sessions, portfolio, literature reviews, or review journal articles, write up case interventions, treatment evaluations, complete short question and present reflective journals.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
Therapeutic Counselling
Research Methods for Counselling and Coaching
Foundations of Positive Psychology
Positive Psychology in Practice
Supervised Counselling Practice 1
Qualitative Inquiry
Positive Psychology Dissertation
Assessment methods
Level
Assesment method
Level one
Coursework 100%
Learning activities
Level
Learning activity
Level one
Guided independent study 70%, Placement/study abroad 12%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 18%
Disclaimer
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.