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MA Integrative Counselling Part-time

Train as a counselling practitioner to work in a range of different settings. You’ll build a critical understanding of current issues and debates in counselling. You’ll also develop the knowledge and skills you need to apply clinical techniques with confidence in real-world practice.

Students speaking to a patient during a simulated home visit

Key course information

Course codeCID1587
Duration3 years
Fee(s)View fees
LocationOn campus

Course summary

Counsellors work in a wide range of settings, including private practice, charities, and public services. If you want to support people with emotional, relationship, or mental health challenges, this course is for you. It helps you build the professional skills and self-awareness needed for effective practice.

You’ll develop strong reflexive skills and learn how to work in an inclusive and respectful way. You’ll also learn to practise ethically, creatively, and with an awareness of diversity and your role in the counselling relationship.

A key part of the course is exploring current thinking around mental health and the role of the counsellor in modern services. In your second year, you can choose to specialise in working with children and young people or with adults (subject to numbers). Your degree title will reflect the pathway you choose.

When you graduate, you’ll be ready to work as a professional counsellor. You’ll be prepared for roles in the voluntary and public sectors, as well as private practice.

Why Sunderland for Psychology

What you'll study

Year 1

Year 2: MA Integrative Counselling with Adults route

Year 2: MA Integrative Counselling with Children and Young People route

Year 3: (Adult and Children and Young People routes)

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Postgraduate module credits should total 180. If optional modules are available alongside core modules on your course, you should choose an amount that totals 180 credits.

How you'll learn

You’ll learn from experienced practitioners and have support from research-active staff. We use a range of teaching methods, including:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshops
  • Tutorials.

You’ll also complete a 100-hour clinical placement. You’ll work with real clients in a counselling organisation under the supervision of an experienced practitioner.

This is a requirement for qualifying and registering with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). You’ll need to find your own placement, but we’ll support you throughout the process.

Assessment methods include:

  • Presentations
  • Case studies
  • Reports
  • Vivas
  • Essays
  • Reflective work.

Entry requirements

Fees and finance support

You may need to pay for your own professional indemnity insurance if your placement doesn't provide cover. Teaching staff can advise on this.

You may also need to pay for clinical supervision if it isn't covered by your placement. The cost is negotiated with the clinical supervisor. Fees can range from £45-£80 per session. This would need to be for at least 1.5 hours per month or a ratio of 1:8 client hours.

You need to pay for your personal therapy at a fee negotiated with your therapist. The cost of personal therapy can range from £20-80 per hour.

Please note, part-time courses aren't available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

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UK students

  • Part-time September 2026

    Adults

    Apply now
  • Part-time September 2026

    Children and Young People

    Apply now

Current students

Current undergraduate students of the University of Sunderland, please use this apply link.

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and you're offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

For more information, view our programme specifications. These include course content, learning outcomes, and the skills you'll gain.