Postgraduate Education 2026-2027

This course aims to enable students to develop the personal qualities and professional skills necessary to become competent and reflective practitioners within a pluralistic framework. Core elements of a pluralistic approach to therapy are explored in relation to theory, practical skills, personal and professional development, and research.

This course considers how therapeutic processes and outcomes, and access to therapy, are influenced by the cultural identity of the client and counsellor. The module reflects an intersectionality perspective, and the view that social justice and decolonisation represent guiding principles for the profession as a whole. The nature and effectiveness of strategies for addressing cultural difference are discussed, along with analysis of the relevance of evidence from research evidence from social anthropology, history and those with lived experience. Students will be invited to reflect on the relevance of these themes in respect of their own personal and professional identities and practices.     

The Masters project offers an opportunity for students to develop their own ideas, by exploring a specific topic or question in depth with the aim of producing an output that has practical relevance. The project may result in an evidence-based tool, technique or materials designed to be utilised within counselling training or practice. Alternatively, it may take the form of a small-scale research study or research review. The class will begin with group sessions that explore possible project formats, leading to submission of a project proposal and application for ethical approval. Individual and small group tutorial support will then lead to the presentation of the final product to the class as a whole, along with a written report.

The Masters project offers an opportunity for students to develop their own ideas, by exploring a specific topic or question in depth with the aim of producing an output that has practical relevance. The project may result in an evidence-based tool, technique or materials designed to be utilised within counselling training or practice. Alternatively, it may take the form of a small-scale research study or research review. The class will begin with group sessions that explore possible project formats, leading to submission of a project proposal and application for ethical approval. Individual and small group tutorial support will then lead to the presentation of the final product to the class as a whole, along with a written report.

This fully on-line course examines the current debates and research on leadership, particularly as these apply to not-for-profit organizations, such as education, nursing and other services.

This course will allow students to engage with the theory and practice of working with children in a range of settings, 0-3, 3-5 and 508, but with a particular focus on the role of the teacher in the setting in which they work.  Students will explore a number of contemporary educational issues and approaches in Early Years Education.  Course content will support the Early Years Framework (2008) through the development of specialist Early Years provision which will help to build the resilience of children, improve the capacity of parents and contribute towards developing supportive communities.

This on-line course offers the opportunity to attain the skills and understandings required to conduct action-based research within your own professional contexts. Participants will identify a research topic and prepare a proposal, supported by a line-manager, which will then form the basis of the course. A number of virtual face-to-face sessions will be conducted at intervals throughout the module giving participants the opportunity to interact with other members in whole group and small group settings.

This course considers how therapeutic processes and outcomes, and access to therapy, are influenced by the cultural identity of the client and counsellor. The module reflects an intersectionality perspective, and the view that social justice and decolonisation represent guiding principles for the profession as a whole. The nature and effectiveness of strategies for addressing cultural difference are discussed, along with analysis of the relevance of evidence from research evidence from social anthropology, history and those with lived experience. Students will be invited to reflect on the relevance of these themes in respect of their own personal and professional identities and practices.     

This course supports students in the further development of therapeutic competence, by linking supervision and practice.  With a specific focus on working with clients who have complex problems this programme supports the development of advanced practitioners.

This course requires DCouns students to undertake a systematic review of research literature around a topic of interest within the field of mental health and therapy, and based on this develop an empirical project proposal for work which can be undertaken during their doctoral dissertation.

A key element of Doctoral-level competence in counselling and psychotherapy comprises the ability to work effectively with clients who have complex difficulties. Working with clients who have complex problems is demanding for therapists, because it transcends established therapy procedures, and calls for a high level of innovativeness, flexibility, resourcefulness, and use of supervision.  This course explores how therapeutic complexity has been understood and addressed within contemporary research and practice literature, supporting students in responding to the specific patterns of complexity that they encounter with their practice.

This course supports students in the further development of therapeutic competence, by linking supervision and practice.  With a specific focus on working with clients who have complex problems this programme supports the development of advanced practitioners.

This course requires DCouns students to undertake a systematic review of research literature around a topic of interest within the field of mental health and therapy, and based on this develop an empirical project proposal for work which can be undertaken during their doctoral dissertation.

This course aims to assist students in beginning the EdD journey through a series of critical reflections on the links between their professional biographies and their practice. Through engaging in this process, students will identify at least one significant issue in their professional practice and articulate this against a wider background.