Introduction
Train as a professionally recognised Person-Centred Counsellor while developing the self-awareness, relational skills, and professional competence needed to offer meaningful, life-changing therapy.
Grounded in Carl Rogers' philosophy of human potential, this programme supports you not only to learn counselling theory and practice, but also to develop the reflective capacity and personal understanding that lie at the heart of effective therapeutic work.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc, PgCert or PgDip
- Duration
- 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months or 36 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
Whether you choose full-time or part-time study, you will be supported to grow into a confident, ethical practitioner capable of building the authentic therapeutic relationships that characterise the person-centred approach.
Our full-time route allows you to complete an MSC in 18 months, with an option on the final 60 credits coming from either a Dissertation/Counselling Related Research Study, or our Specialist Certificate for Counselling Children and Young People.
Our part-time options give you more flexibility, with the opportunity to qualify as a Person-Centred practitioner just after two years, or to complete the MSc in three years, equally via the dissertation or the CYP specialisation route.
The PgDip qualification is validated by COSCA (Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland) and meets professional training requirements, including a minimum of 400 tutor contact hours and 100 client hours.
The programme prepares graduates for professional practice while providing a strong foundation for further development, accreditation, and postgraduate study.
The programme aims to enable students to:
- Understand the philosophy, theory and research of the person-centred approach
- Develop a high level of awareness of, and competence in, person-centred counselling relationships
- Understand person-centred therapeutic process
- Develop awareness of their professional developmental needs and how to fully use supervision
- Evaluate the importance of personal development in relation to training as a person-centred counsellor
- Consider the effect of personal experience, values and attitudes on practice
- Develop critical understanding of where the person-centred modality is placed in the field of counselling and the role counselling plays in society as a whole
- Place individual counselling practice within a sound ethical framework as outlined in the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions and the COSCA Statement of Ethics and Code of Practice
Available Programmes of Study
The part-time route is intentionally designed for those balancing study with work, family commitments, or existing roles in helping professions. Studying over a longer period allows you to integrate learning, personal development, counselling practice, and professional experience in a gradual and sustainable way.
Many students find that this approach supports a deeper engagement with both the training and their development as practitioners. You may qualify as a Person-Centred Counsellor after completing the PgDip, or continue to the MSc through either a dissertation/research project or our specialist Children and Young People pathway.
Our full-time route provides an immersive learning experience, allowing students to complete the programme over 18 months while engaging intensively with theory, practice, personal development, and research.
- MSc
-
Person-Centred Counselling
- Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 18 months
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location
- Aberdeen
- Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 18 months or 36 months
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location
- Aberdeen
- PgDip
-
Person-Centred Counselling
- Qualification
- PgDip
- Duration
- 12 months
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location
- Aberdeen
- Qualification
- PgDip
- Duration
- 24 months
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Study Mode
- Part Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location
- Aberdeen
- PgCert
-
Person-Centred Counselling
- Qualification
- PgCert
- Duration
- 6 months
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location
- Aberdeen
- Qualification
- PgCert
- Duration
- 6 months or 12 months
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location
- Aberdeen
Programme Fees
Please refer to our Tuition Fees page for fee information for this programme, or contact us via the Enquire Now form.
Stage 1
Stage 1: Compulsory Courses
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
-
This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Foundations and Therapeutic Process in Person - Centred Counselling (ED50NE)
-
60 Credit Points
This course aims to enable students to develop the personal qualities and professional skills necessary for competent and reflective practitioners within a person centred framework. Self-awareness, counselling theory, practice and research are integrated to a level that enables course members to engage with therapeutic processes in a range of counselling relationships. Although the counselling programme is structured on a modular basis it is conceptualised as a comprehensive experience. The programme has four strands: Counselling Relationship and Therapeutic Process; Counselling Theory and Research; Personal Development; Professional Development. This course constitutes the 1st module of the fulltime counselling programme.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.
Fee Information
Additional Costs
Supervision: A minimum of 17 hours of professional supervision. Reduced rates for students are typically in the region of £35 to £60 per hour.
Personal Therapy: Although not a compulsory component of this programme personal therapy is highly recommended. Costs between £40-£80 per session. Some agencies run a donation-based service, and other agencies may offer free access to counselling.
Scholarships
All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Attendance, after the 2 day induction, is 1 full day each week on campus for part-time, or 2 full days each week on campus for full-time study. Learning on the PG Diploma prepares you to work within the counselling profession and is quite different from learning in other subjects. The emphasis is on experiential and relational learning which is central to the course operation and ethos. You’re encouraged to take responsibility for your own learning, to see learning as a tool that will help you achieve your goal of becoming a person-centred counsellor, able to confidently and comprehensively fulfil your personal and professional duties.
Learning on Placements
Students are expected to be on placement as part of their training. All students will be considered for a placement at The Bounds, our counselling and research centre, after successful completion of the programme’s ‘readiness to practice’ process. Students will also be supported by staff to approach agencies that offer counselling placements if they wish this additional/alternative opportunity.
(Full registration on the PG Cert/PG Dip or MSc is required alongside ‘readiness to practise’ and a current Protecting Vulnerable Groups certificate (PVG) before students are able to undertake a practice placement)
Learning Methods
- Clinical Learning
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Peer Learning
- Professional Placements
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Assessment Methods
A significant aim of the course is to support and encourage the development of 'reflexive practitioners’, able to offer and use constructive feedback. Through the process of self, peer, and tutor assessments, the programme members will have the opportunity to realise and understand the impact of their personal power and responsibility in the process of becoming recognised as professional counsellors.
Why Study Person-Centred Counselling?
- We are ranked 2nd in Scotland for Education in the Complete University Guide 2027.
- A learning experience firmly rooted in the person-centred tradition
- A strong emphasis on personal and professional development
- COSCA-validated professional training
- Experiential and relational learning in a supportive environment
- The opportunity to progress towards professional counselling practice and further academic study
- By the end of the programme, you will have developed both the practical competence and the reflective awareness needed to work effectively as a person-centred practitioner.
Interested in this programme?
Entry Requirements
Individuals on this course will need a high level of critical self-awareness and a willingness to reflect on their own process. Readiness to enter a programme which has at its centre the student’s own personal development is desirable. Voluntary or professional experience of support work with adults is also desirable.
We recognise that students come to counselling training from a variety of personal and professional backgrounds. Our flexible study options allow you to choose the pathway that best fits your circumstances and aspirations.
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Applicants will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with a 2:2 or above from a recognised university or body. In exceptional circumstances, applicants without this qualification may be admitted by achieving Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Please contact the programme director for guidance. Applicants must also prove they have relevant, credit-bearing counselling skills, totalling 60 credits, ideally from completion of Aberdeen University’s Counselling and Listening Skills courses 1 to 4.
A student membership of Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA) is advised and a PVG check and certificate will be required at the start of the programme.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
- Reference x 2
- two reference letters, one of which should be from your university discussing your academic ability. If you have been out of education for a long time you may wish to use your current or most recent employers, or other professional individuals
Careers
Graduates progress into a range of roles across health, community, educational, and third-sector settings, as well as private practice. Many continue towards professional accreditation and further specialisation within the counselling and psychotherapy professions.
Whether you are beginning a new career or developing an existing professional role, this programme provides the knowledge, skills, and personal development needed to support others through meaningful therapeutic relationships.
Career Opportunities
- Counsellor
- Psychotherapist
- Marriage and family counsellor (requires further specialisation)
- Children and Adolescents counsellor (requires further specialisation)
- Grief counsellor
- School counsellor
- College counsellor
- NHS counsellor
- Military counsellor
- Residential counsellor
- Substance abuse counsellor
- EAP counsellor
Accreditation
This programme is accredited by COSCA.
Our Experts
All our counselling tutors are practising counsellors. As a staff team we aim to reflect the person-centred emphasis in our relationships with participants, always endeavouring to offer open, genuine and responsive opportunities for learning. We believe in experiential growth and accept that our own learning and development is ongoing and enhanced by those we work with.
- Programme Coordinator
- Federica Savore
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX