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Course Overview
This programme provides the opportunity for students to develop their knowledge and skills as a counsellor, and is especially suited to those considering a career as a practising counsellor. Counselling is a talking therapy with two major strands: firstly, helping people cope with emotional and relational difficulties and, secondly, facilitating personal growth.
In the first part of the programme, and informed by the reflective scientist-practitioner model, students are introduced to counselling theory and ethics, will be able to learn practical counselling skills. As the course can lead to a professional qualification in counselling, much of the learning is experiential. This means students can develop their counselling skills as well as understand how to apply theory to their work.
The primary theoretical and philosophical approach the programme teaches in the person-centred approach with an emphasis upon the importance of intersubjectivity and the therapeutic relationship. In the second term students can gain practical experience as trainee counsellors, learn about relevant clinical research paradigms, and are introduced to methods for reliably assessing a client's response to counselling, including the use of measurement tools such as questionnaires.
The second part of the PG Diploma Counselling will allow students to develop a range of research skills and engage in a research project in relation to counselling.
Following completion of the PG Diploma Counselling (first year), students can apply for individual registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) pending completion of professional practice hours.
How You Study
The programme is designed to develop students' theoretical knowledge, therapeutic competency, and formation as a professional counsellor. In the first term, students will have teaching for four days a week that will focus on development of core counselling skills and acquisition of theory. In the second term, teaching will reduce to two days a week and students will also be expected to develop their skills as a professional counsellor through engaging in a placement.
Teaching and learning will be developed through a range of methods, including:
- Lectures
- Problem- based learning
- Workshop-type based interactive learning
- Experiential learning activities
- Professional Practice hours
Due to the nature of this programme weekly contact hours may vary. Postgraduate level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend at least two to three hours in independent study. For more detailed information specific to this course please contact the Programme Leader.
Modules
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
What You Need to Know
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
Placements
As a part of the programme, you are required undertake a placement where you need to acquire 100 hours of face-to-face therapeutic work. The purpose of the placement is to enable you to develop experience in delivering therapy and competence in counselling skills. You will be required to engage in a minimum of two hours of individual supervision per month from the start of the placement. Supervision is compulsory, external to the programme, and needs to be independently arranged by each student.
Students are responsible for acquiring and sourcing their own placements and are advised to consider future career objectives and interests when considering placements.
To ensure placements are appropriate and meet the necessary learning outcomes, all placements should be approved by the programme team prior to students starting therapeutic work. Students will have access to a list of approved providers and supervisors and can contact them directly. Placements are provided by external organisations that may have their own internal application process. The programme team support students with establishing placement agreements and students can access support with applications and interviews from the Careers and Employability Team.
Facilities
The Sarah Swift Building is the home of the Schools of Health and Social Care and Psychology. The building houses specialist teaching and research spaces for both Schools, as well as general teaching and learning facilities for the wider University. At the heart of student life is the Great Central Warehouse Library which provides access to more than 260,000 journals and 700,000 print and electronic books, as well as databases and specialist collections.
How you are assessed
Students are assessed through a range of assessment types and formats. These include essays, case studies, presentations, counselling role plays, research reports, research proposals, and a portfolio.
Assessment Feedback
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure a prompt return of in-course assessments- usually within 15 working days after the submission date.
Career Development
Postgraduate study is an investment in yourself and your future. It can help you to further or completely change your career, develop your knowledge, enhance your salary, or even prepare you to start your own business.
Following successful completion of the PG Diploma, students can apply for individual registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) pending completion of professional practice hours.
How to Apply
Postgraduate Application Support
Applying for a postgraduate programme at Lincoln is easy. Find out more about the application process and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page. Here, you'll also be able to find out more about the entry requirements we accept and how to contact us for dedicated support during the process.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements 2025-26
Entry Requirements
- First or upper second class honours degree. All offers made to those still completing a BA/BSc are contingent upon applicants meeting these requirements.
- Candidates are required to have experience of working in a helping and caring role in either a paid or voluntary capacity. This experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to support individuals in distress and also engage in listening and communication skills.
Evidence must be provided of previous counselling skills practice, including one of the following:
-Level 2 or 3 counselling certificate
-Successful completion of a higher education module that includes a core element of assessed counselling skills practice
Applicants will be required to pass an enhanced DBS clearance.
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall, with a mini-mum of 6.5 in each element.
For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsup-port/englishlanguagerequirements/
For further advice on IELTS and the support available, please contact the International College by email at internationalcollege@lincoln.ac.uk.
Course Fees
You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below.
The University offers a range of merit-based, subject-specific, and country-focused scholarships for UK and international students. To help support students from outside of the UK, we offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
Course -Specific Additional Costs
In addition to course fees, additional costs may be incurred as a requirement of course-specific materials such as clothing or equipment. With regards to textbooks, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read.
Students undertaking placements will be responsible for their own travel, accommodation, and general living expenses.
It is recommended that you become a student member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Student membership details can be found at https://www.bacp.co.uk/membership/student-membership/
Additional recommendations are that students should engage in their own personal therapy as a part of the training process (average prices between £30 to 50 a session), and students are also advised to obtain their own professional liability insurance.
Funding Your Study
Postgraduate Funding Options
Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate study, from Master's Loans to scholarship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.
Explore Funding Options
Postgraduate Events
To get a real feel for what it is like to study at the University of Lincoln, we hold a number of dedicated postgraduate events and activities throughout the year for you to take part in.
Upcoming Postgraduate Events