Postgraduate Counselling Skills Courses at University of Edinburgh

Counselling is a form of verbal therapy, in which a person or group meets with a qualified counsellor who guides them through any issues and problems they face in their lives, through conversation. Professional counselling is confidential and non-judgmental and helps to make a significant contribution to the psychological health of individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

Counselling can help with motivation, self-esteem, depression and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and much more.

A postgraduate degree in counselling builds on the fundamentals of undergraduate training and prepares students to become autonomous professional counsellors, equipped to provide mental health support and guidance. This programme typically requires a bachelor's degree in counselling, psychology, or a related field, although some programmes may consider applicants with alternative relevant degrees or substantial work experience.

It is an important part of public and private healthcare and you’ll find over 90 master’s level counselling courses available to study in the UK.

What to Expect

You can expect to build interpersonal communication skills and develop a repertoire of tools to connect with people and help them open up and talk about their issues. You’ll also study the more organisational aspects of the profession, such as how to structure sessions, how to understand the ethics and responsibilities which come with the job and how to navigate the legal side of professional practice.

Counselling is a care service regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which maintains professional standards. Once graduated, you can apply for accreditation withbodies like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) before taking on counselling roles in a diversity of settings, including the NHS, mental health clinics, schools or private practice.