Postgraduate Qualifying Course
MA PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING: THEORY AND PRACTICE
For those with a degree, become a professionally qualified counsellor in 3 years through this part-time, Level 7 Master’s programme.
- Qualify as a professional counsellor
- Gain a Level 7 Master's degree
- No prior counselling training needed
- Study alongside other commitments — training delivered part-time
- Grounded in a Christian worldview — integrate faith without limiting practice to Christian contexts
- Develop advanced counselling skills, clinical experience, and reflective practice
| Mode & Location | Length of Study | Level | Credits | Entry Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlendedBlended learning combines in-person teaching at Waverley Abbey, Farnham with some live online sessions, in line with BACP standards. (Farnham) | 3 years part-time | 7 | 180 | Undergraduate Degree (2:2 or better) |
| Hours and Delivery | Term Times | Minimum Time NeededMinimum time needed is inclusive of lectures, coursework, therapy, placement, and supervision. This is a rough guideline. Students may require more time, depending on their personal pace. |
|---|---|---|
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Key Features
Train at Master’s level (Level 7)
Study counselling at a postgraduate level, developing advanced theoretical understanding, critical thinking, and research-informed practice.
Qualify as a professional counsellor
This programme provides a direct route into counselling for those who already hold a degree in another field, combining academic study, supervised clinical practice, and personal development.
Integrate faith and practice
Train using the Waverley Integrative Framework and develop a thoughtful and responsible approach to integrating Christian faith within a counselling context, allowing you to work safely with institutions and clients of all faiths or none at all.
Aligned with UK professional standards
The programme meets the training standards required to pursue professional registration with UK counselling bodies, including the BACP and ACC UK.
I came to Waverley Abbey College to learn how to counsel, wanting to get skilled-up and qualified. For years I’d been in front-line pastoral ministry, but I was looking for actual skills to make me better — more effective and ethical — in binding up broken hearts. The training was rigorous and it worked!
Sammy Greig, Global Elder at 24-7 Prayer
Course Description
Course Overview
This programme prepares and qualifies you to practise as a professional counsellor as well as providing the depth and expertise of a Master’s degree.
Course Content
This programme integrates rigorous academic study, supervised clinical practice, and deep personal development within a Christian framework—equipping you to work competently, ethically, and reflectively with adult clients in a wide range of settings.
Students develop advanced understanding of counselling theory, relational practice, and mental health, while building clinical experience through supervised client work. Alongside this, the programme emphasises self-awareness, ethical practice, and the responsible integration of faith within professional counselling contexts.
At Master’s level, you will also develop research skills, critically engaging with theory and evidence and completing a small-scale qualitative research project to inform your reflective practice.
Assessment
Students are required to complete written assignments including reflective essays, case study, self-reflection of spiritual diversity experience, a comparative essay, a questionnaire, and a 10,000-word critical literature review. Students are also required to give a presentation.
Modules & Dates
Course Modules and Outcomes
The programme focuses on four themes: theory, practice, personal development, and research.
Each theme is the focus and title for the modules of the programme, with each year building on the last. Themes increase in depth and complexity throughout. By the end, graduates are prepared to practise counselling with a strong theoretical foundation, supervised clinical experience, and the ability to integrate faith appropriately within professional contexts.
Here is what you will study and your major outcomes:
| Timeline | Core Themes |
|---|---|
| Year 1–360 credits/year170 tutor contact hours in Year 1 and 2150 tutor contacts in Year 3 | The theory underpinning professional counselling practice. The programme begins in Year 1 with an overview of the history and development of approaches to counselling practice, including exploration of related human growth and development theory. In Year 2 the focus is on person-centred theory, and Year 3 looks at cognitive behavioural theory and psychodynamic approaches. These approaches are explored with an integrative perspective — that is, how they combine to inform and shape the therapeutic counselling relationship. This theme also includes an in-depth study of the integration of spirituality and specifically Christian faith with counselling theory and practice, guided by the Waverley Integrative Framework. Year 1 led by Catherine Palmer. Year 2 led by Nicola Hutchings / Martin Stokley. |
| The development of professional counselling skills and therapeutic competences. In the first year, group learning with peers will help you develop the knowledge and skills to form and maintain a counselling relationship. This will prepare you for supervised clinical practice 1:1 with adults in Years 2 and 3 of the programme. During these two years you will be supported to develop your knowledge and competency to work with clients who present with increasingly complex issues and circumstances. This learning will include case study discussions, seminars and lectures from subject experts. Additional requirements: All placement hours must be carried out in the UK. Year 1 led by Anna Bampou. Year 2 led by Gordica Karanfilovska / Martin Stokley. | |
| The development of self personally and professionally to become a counsellor. The use of self is key to therapeutic counselling practice, so personal and professional development is a theme throughout the course. In the first year the focus will be on deepening and advancing self-awareness and enhancing skills of reflective practice. This will include considering the dimension of difference, diversity, and intersectionality in both the learning context and the therapeutic counselling relationship. Ethical and legal obligations will also be a core learning theme throughout the programme as essential for professional counselling practice. Years 1–2 led by Martin Stokley. | |
| The development of academic and research knowledge and skills at Master's level. The development of these research skills and knowledge will begin in Year 1, providing the competency to critically engage with the programme and enabling you to write a research proposal for submission to the college's research ethics committee for approval prior to carrying out a small-scale qualitative study in the final years of the programme. Years 1–2 led by Martin Stokley / Catherine Palmer. Year 3 led by Martin Stokley. | |
MA in Professional Counselling: Theory and Practice award Level 7 · 180 credits · Validated by Middlesex University | |
Qualified as a professional counsellor Apply for registration with ACC or BACP | |
Tutor Contact Hours & Clinical Hours
Across the programme, there are 490 tutor contact hours total. You will also do 100 hours of supervised placement work with clients across Years 2 and 3.
Term Times
September – December
January – Easter
Easter – May
Study Pattern
| Blended Learning | |
|---|---|
| Years 1–3 | 24 teaching days each year (8 extended weekends)
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After Graduation
If you wish to continue your studies after completing this programme, you may:
- Enroll on one of our CPD courses and develop specialised skills.
Location, Fees & Requirements
Location
Waverley Abbey House, Waverley Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8EP
Online via Zoom and/or Microsoft Teams
Accessibility Information
Waverley Abbey House is a Grade II listed property. Most courses take place on the first floor, which is accessed by stairs. In the event of a fire, participants need to be able to walk downstairs at an average pace without assistance. Due to the listed status of the building, a lift is not available.
Entry Requirements
- Academic: An undergraduate degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent qualification that demonstrates your ability to succeed on the programme. If your degree was completed more than five years ago, you will need to demonstrate recent academic or professional competence.
- Personal: Applicants are required to demonstrate the maturity and life experience needed for the demands of the programme, and be able to commit to one day per week in Year 1 and two days per week in Years 2 and 3, in order to meet the clinical practice requirements.
Additional Requirements
In addition to classes and assignments, these activities are self-fundedRough guidance can be provided by our team. However, these will vary depending on your findings. Student Support is also available to help find therapists, placement work, and supervisors. by the student each year:
- 20 hours personal therapy (Years 1–3)
- 50 hours of supervised placement work with clients (Year 2 and 3)
All placement hours must be carried out in the UK. Therapy and supervised placement work contribute towards the accreditation standard to apply for BACP and ACC UK registration.
Tuition Fees
| Course | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA Professional Counselling: Theory and Practice (MAPCO) | £5,575 | £5,575 | £4,115 |
No Application Fee
Apply before 31 July to apply for free and avoid a late application fee.
Deposit
£500 non-refundable deposit upon acceptance. Counts towards tuition.
Advance Payment Discount
5% reduction on annual tuition fees if paid in full, in advance.
Student Finance
Available, varies by region
Payment Plans
10 monthly installments
3 termly installments
Bursuries
Available, assessed on a case-by-case basis
Cancellation Policy
If you withdraw from study, we offer the following refunds:
- Prior to start date of course — Refund of fees paid, excluding deposit
- Within 2 weeks of course start date — Refund of fees paid, excluding deposit. Requires submission of Withdrawal or Interruption form.
- Between 2–12 weeks of course start date — you are liable for 50% of annual tuition fees plus any other costs incurred. Requires submission of Withdrawal or Interruption form.
- After 12 weeks of course start date — No refund available.
See our full policy under the "Withdrawal And Interruption Of Studies" heading in Terms and Conditions of Enrolment 2026/27.
Other Fees & Info
- Additional costs such as books, personal therapy, and counselling supervision fees are not included.
- Fees from Year 2 onwards are provisional and normally adjusted in line with inflation.
Fund Your Study
See the Fees & Funding page for a range of options of how to fund your study with us.
Further Details
Award
Master of the Arts degree in Professional Counselling: Theory and Practice
- At Level 7 of the Higher Education Framework
- Providing 180 credits
- Validated by Middlesex University
Application guidance
You can start your application straight away. During the process, you may be asked to upload a few documents. It can be helpful to have these ready:
- Passport or driving licence
- A passport-style photo (with a clear image)
- Certificates or diplomas showing your highest academic qualification so far
- The name and email address of a reference
- Your personal statement (between 300–800 words)
You can also begin your application and return later with the documents.
FAQ: Can I still apply if I live abroad?
To study any of the online Higher Education courses and have it validated by Middlesex University, students outside of the UK must have a valid British passport, residency in the UK, or leave to remain status. Students would need to attend the in-person lectures at Waverley Abbey in Farham, Surrey and achieve an attendance of 80% or above. Please bear in mind the time differences when considering the lecture schedule. Please also be mindful that our counselling training is based on UK legislation and professional practice. If you live in another country you will need to comply with local regulations.
If you have further questions
You have three options:
- Book a 20-min call with our team to explore the next step for you based on your current experience level, capacity, and goals.
- See our Fees & Funding page for more about Student Finance and bursaries— don’t let fi nancial concerns stop you from studying.
- See our Frequently Asked Questions page for some of the most common questions we get about studying at Waverley Abbey College.
Become a Professional Counsellor
We know 1 in 5 people experience mental health problems each week. Perhaps you’ve seen first-hand how much people are struggling today. Or perhaps you’ve been there.
Grounded in a Christian worldview, the MA Professional Counselling: Theory and Practice programme equips you with the professional skills to meet the depth and complexity of what many are facing. Turn your lived experience into something that helps others.
Places are limited, so apply early.