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Course information

Department

Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies

Length

1 year part-time (26 weeks, Wednesdays 6-9pm)

Course overview

An intensive foundation in counselling for those who meet elements of counselling in their day-to-day work and who wish to enter this field professionally.

This programme will give students an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of Psychodynamic Counselling if they currently lack sufficient experience and qualifications to study at a postgraduate diploma level.

The programme is taught by means of theoretical lectures, seminars, experiential workshops, and group tutorials. You’ll study key theoretical concepts that inform the practice of humanistic and psychodynamic counselling and will identify the specific responsibilities and processes of the counselling alliance.

The programme is particularly suitable for those who wish to apply to our MA in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Please note: Entry requirements for further qualification vary considerably between institutions. Students are expected to conduct their own research before applying

The programme covers

  • Humanistic approaches to counselling, with special emphasis on the philosophy and influence of Carl Rogers
  • Psychodynamic principles of counselling, with reference to growth and development, unconscious processes and intra-psychic conflicts
  • The ethics of counselling: boundaries and responsibility
  • Good practice and care for the counsellor: self-awareness, supervision and meeting your own needs
  • Transcultural Counselling, looking into issues of diversity and dominance in the counselling relationship

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Tali Lernau.

What you'll study

Assessment

Assessment is continual and is carried out by means of 2 essays of 2,500 words; a reflective journal and a practical skills assessment. Students must pass all four essays pieces of work to be awarded the Certificate. 40% constitutes the pass mark.

Modules

Teaching will cover the following compulsory modules:

Module title Credits
Theory 1

Theory 1

15 credits

The module runs for 8 weeks during the winter term. The module will cover the Humanistic tradition for counselling and psychotherapy, including Carl Rogers, Gestalt philosophy and psychotherapy, Existential approach Egan’s goal-oriented approach and the ethical professional frameworks.

Teaching during this module is embedded in a critical, psychosocial perspective. You’ll explore key theorists and theories within their historical context and the professional discourse at the time, as well as exploring their practical implications for practice in the therapy room.

The module seeks to encourage you to develop a deep commitment towards people as unique and valuable, and meet clients and service users where they are. Teaching will involve didactic knowledge, class discussion, small group work, case studies and experiential learning.

 15 credits
Theory 2

Theory 2

15 credits

The module runs for 10 weeks during the spring term. The module covers the psychodynamic approach to counselling and psychotherapy, including Freud, Klein, Winnicott, Bowlby and other prominent psychoanalytic and psychodynamic theories. We’ll explore key theorists and theories within their historical context and the professional discourse at the time.

You’ll explore concepts such as unconscious processes, transference and countertransference, projection, and introjection, and defence mechanisms, with their practical implications for practice in the therapy room.

The module seeks to encourage you to develop a deep commitment towards people as unique and valuable subjects and meet clients and service users where they are. Teaching will involve didactic knowledge, class discussion, small group work, case studies and experiential learning.

 15 credits
Reflective Practitioner

Reflective Practitioner

15 credits

This module will cover topics related to social identifier and current affairs such as:

  • social justice and inequality
  • race and identity
  • health and wellbeing
  • religion and spirituality
  • ableism
  • digital society
  • climate change and sustainability

You’ll be encouraged to critically reflect on these issues in relation to your own heritage, beliefs, and value system and to use your own experiences to further your learning experience.

Topics will be delivered by clinicians with lived experience and expertise in the specific area, and will be discussed in relation to psychotherapy, cultural, social, and political processes as well as in relation to dynamics in the therapy room. Teaching will involve seminars, class discussions and experiential learning.

 15 credits
Basic Counselling Skills

Basic Counselling Skills

15 credits

The module runs throughout the three terms and is designed to provide an intensive practice-based training in counselling skills, building on the theoretical knowledge that is acquired in the Theories modules.

 

You’ll practice key skills used in counselling and psychotherapy through dyads, triads, and small group structured exercises which will help develop core listening and other basic skills required for the counselling and therapies professions.

 

The module will also look at specific techniques from the humanistic and psychodynamic tradition, and especially during the third term, will emphasise reflective skills. The module aims to assist you to make an informed decision concerning your future career pathway.

 15 credits

Download the programme specification. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Between 2020 and 2022 we needed to make some changes to how programmes were delivered due to Covid-19 restrictions. For more information about past programme changes please visit our programme changes information page.

Entry requirements

You must be able to demonstrate:

  • a commitment to counselling as a profession
  • an ability to sustain academic study
  • the potential to develop those qualities essential to counselling, for example empathy and sense of self

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

To find out more about your fees, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

2023 tuition fees

  • Home - £2,710
  • International - £6,470

How to apply

Apply now

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. 

Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:

  • Details of your education history, including the dates of all exams/assessments
  • The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively an electronic copy of your academic reference
  • A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online
  • If available, an electronic copy of your educational transcript (this is particularly important if you have studied outside of the UK, but isn’t mandatory)

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

When to apply

We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September. 

We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place that is conditional on you achieving a particular qualification. 

Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.

Selection process

Admission is by group interview.

Find out more about applying.

Careers

Skills

You'll develop critical, communication and interpersonal skills, and listening skills.

Careers

Suitable careers for graduates of this programme include:

  • support and welfare work
  • residential social work
  • teaching
  • advocacy
  • mentoring

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths. 

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