Find out more about studying MA Counselling and Psychotherapy at Bristol, UWE? We've gathered all the key details, entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MA - Master of Arts
Frenchay Campus
Part Time
Sep 2026
3 Year
Our course provides professional counselling training enabling you to register with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), so when you study with us, you can rest assured you'll get all you need to become the best psychotherapeutic counsellor you can be. Why study Counselling and Psychotherapy Counselling and psychotherapy is a challenging but very rewarding career area. A career where you get to make a difference, to help people, and to change lives, including your own. As a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor, you will provide support to people experiencing emotional difficulties by helping them to identify their issues and develop strategies to address them. Working in hospitals, health centres and in private practice, psychotherapeutic counsellors support clients with a wide range of concerns including mental health issues, challenging physical conditions and life events, as well as managing difficult emotions. Why UWE Bristol Building on the solid reputation of the diploma course, UWE Bristol's Master's in Counselling and Psychotherapy degree is a professional practice course that equips you for practice by qualifying as a competent, reflective practitioner, able to think critically and integrate theory with practice. The course has been created to support your development as a counsellor while at the same time integrating your professional practice with master's level academic study. The course includes taught modules, your own personal therapy throughout the training, clinical work and supervision, as well as a small research project. You'll learn from an enthusiastic, supportive teaching team with a real passion for their subject and a wealth of experience across all aspects of counselling and psychotherapy. The team includes active researchers and authors, so your learning will be enriched by the latest in best practice. Where can it take me The master's degree will equip you with all the knowledge and experience you'll need to fast track your career progression. Having experience of a period of extended work-based learning will allow you to deepen your clinical skills, become robust and resilient so you can cope with the complexity of the mental health issues you'll be presented with. The demand for counsellors and psychotherapists is growing in the UK so you can expect your skills to be sought after. You'll have many exciting career opportunities open to you in a wide range of roles. You could work in the NHS, for private or voluntary sector employers, in church or faith-based organisations or college or university counselling settings, for example.
You'll learn about the practical application of relational counselling and psychotherapy skills, be introduced to counselling and psychotherapy supervision, and take part in counselling practice at a placement.
You'll learn the principles which form the foundation for professional counselling practice, including examining key relational theoretical approaches within counselling and psychotherapy to understanding how psychological problems and distress develops.
You'll learn key concepts in personal development and we'll focus on how internal and external worlds affect the therapeutic relationship including an advanced awareness of how unconscious processes affect therapy.
You'll be supported to apply theoretical understanding and reflective process to professional practice, encouraging you to see supervision as an interpersonal process where understanding is facilitated and co-created through relationships
You'll examine more complex issues in counselling theory and practice. You'll develop a deeper understanding of client concerns, and learn how to assess the most appropriate counselling interventions.
This module supports critical and empathic reflection, reflective practice, and personal and professional development. The emphasis is on deepening your awareness of the process of your Personal Development group.
Introduces a methodological pluralism that acknowledges a multifaceted and contextualised approach to research inquiry in counselling and psychotherapy.
This module will focus on your counselling practice in your placement, consolidating a coherent framework for who you are as a practitioner, integrating your theoretical knowledge and reflexivity into your practice, as preparation for qualification as a professional counsellor.
International Annual (Year 1) Fee: £4,479; International Annual (Year 2) Fee: £3,583: International Annual (Year 3) Fee: £2,688
The University of the West of England, also known as UWE Bristol, is one of the UK's larger universities with nearly 40,...