Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue) MCouns

Level: Postgraduate taught

Subject: Counselling and Psychotherapy

Year of entry: 2027

Study options

Mode of study

On campus

Full-time
  • MCouns | 2 years | Start date: September 2027

Key facts

School

School of Health in Social Science

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study location

Central Area

Accreditation

Available

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About the degree programme

The Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue) is a two-year, full-time professional training programme that seamlessly integrates theory, practical application, and immersive clinical experiences. It is an accelerated version of the well-established Master of Counselling (MCouns), which is offered over four years part-time.

Master of Counselling (MCouns)

The Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue) is specifically designed for international students with significant (one to two years) professional experience in related fields, who are seeking to gain a fully accredited professional qualification in counselling in the United Kingdom. This programme is also open to UK students with significant professional experience.

The programme confers a recognised qualification to practice as a counsellor and combines theoretical insights from the psychodynamic and person-centred traditions with practical experience gained in a range of counselling agencies.

Programme changes

We are introducing changes to our professional training programmes in Counselling and Psychotherapy from 2028/29.

This will not impact your studies if you join this programme in September 2027. You will still be able to apply to transfer to the full-time DPsychotherapy as long as you do so by September 2028.

We are happy to provide more information and support to students who are planning to transfer to the DPsychotherapy. Please contact our programme team if you have questions about the programme changes:

Counselling.Studies@ed.ac.uk

Study options

Undertaken over two years of full-time study, this programme consists of several taught courses, supervised practice placements, and a dissertation. The placements take place during both years of the programme and meet the accrediting body requirement for supervised client hours.

We also offer a separate part-time Master of Counselling programme over four years.

Master of Counselling

Programme benefits

  • Combining academic rigour with high-quality professional training, the programme provides unique opportunities for training, learning, and research in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. 
  • We guarantee Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue) students a first placement in our own dedicated counselling service, Hope Park Counselling Centre. We also have excellent links with a range of agencies across Scotland, and support students to find their second practice placement within one of these agencies.
  • While the majority of placement experience will be with individual adult clients, our programme also offers opportunities for students to gain experience of working with couples and/or with children and young people.
  • Our programme provides a high level of student-tutor contact and close supervision of counselling practice, in line with both professional and academic requirements.
  • The Masters year provides students with further transferable skills and knowledge that can be applied to a range of settings, including research skills, conceptual and analytical skills, and interpersonal and communication skills.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees by award and duration

Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year.

Full-time

Graduate discount

If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.

Find out how to receive your graduate discount

Deposit

You do not have to pay a deposit to secure your place on this programme.

Costs

Additional programme costs

Students on the Master of Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue) are required to undertake a minimum of 25 hours of professional supervision in relation to their placement practice. You may need to pay for this supervision of your counselling practice.

Accommodation and living costs

You will need to pay for your accommodation and living costs (such as rent, food and utility bills) for the duration of your programme.

For 2026-2027, we estimate that it will cost an average of £18,504 each year (£1,542 each month) to live in Edinburgh as a postgraduate.

The exact amount you spend will depend on different factors, especially the accommodation you choose.

Living costs: estimates explained 

Funding opportunities

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

  • borrowing money
    • taking out a loan
    • family support
  • personal savings
  • income from work
  • employer sponsorship
  • scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for other funding opportunities

You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.

Postgraduate funding opportunities

These entry requirements are for the 2027-28 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2028-29 academic year will be published in early Oct 2027.

Qualifications

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a subject relevant to counselling and psychotherapy.

You should also have substantial relevant experience of working in helping roles in counselling or a cognate area, such as education, social work, nursing, mental health practice, applied psychology or equivalent.

We will also consider a UK 2:2 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a subject relevant to counselling and psychotherapy with references confirming your aptitude for study at postgraduate level.

If your undergraduate degree is not relevant to counselling and psychotherapy, you may be admitted at the discretion of the programme director as long as you meet the personal and professional suitability and relevant experience requirements laid down by the British professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Check the programme website for more information:

Counselling (Interpersonal Dialogue) - entry requirements

Entry is subject to passing a professional suitability interview. As this is a professional training programme, students are subject to the University's Fitness to Practise policies and processes.

International equivalent qualifications

To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list.

English language requirements

You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:

  • an English language test (restrictions apply)
  • a degree that was taught and assessed in English (restrictions apply)
  • certain professional qualifications

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) before 21 January 2026: total 100 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) from 21 January 2026: total 5.0 with at least 4.0 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component. We do not accept Oxford ELLT Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 in each component.
How old your English language tests can be
Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced
Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.   

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

What you will study

Find courses for this programme

Find out what courses you can study on this programme and how each of them are taught and assessed.

The courses on offer may change from year to year, but the course information will give you an idea of what to expect on this programme.

Full-time

We link to the latest information available. This may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Disclaimer

We are introducing changes to our professional training programmes in Counselling and Psychotherapy from 2028/29.

This will not impact your studies if you join this programme in September 2027. You will still be able to apply to transfer to the full-time DPsychotherapy as long as you do so by September 2028.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught through:

  • experiential group work
  • counselling practice
  • supervision of counselling practice
  • theory seminars
  • independent study
  • mentorship
  • academic support

Assessment

Your assessments will include:

  • essays
  • seminar presentations
  • self and peer assessments
  • placement-based assessment
  • the professional portfolio
  • a dissertation (for relevant programmes)

You will be required to demonstrate readiness for counselling practice before you can commence your first placement which starts in Semester 2 of Year 1. This is assessed via listening practice, an oral presentation and self-reflection.

Students who are unable to demonstrate readiness for counselling practice will not be able to continue on the programme.

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete the Master of Counselling will:

  • be reflective, self-aware, safe, accountable and competent counsellors
  • have a sound knowledge base of theories and research on the development of the person, group process, therapeutic relationships and processes, and the role of counselling in society
  • possess highly developed and transferable interpersonal, conceptual and analytical skills, including critical thinking, self-evaluation and research skills

Support for your studies

The programme provides a high level of student-tutor contact and close supervision of both counselling practice and research, in line with professional and academic requirements.

You will have access to a range of support services if you need them throughout your degree.

We will assign you to a student adviser, and this should be the first person to contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.  

How we support you

Accreditation

The Master of Counselling is professionally validated by Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA). 

In addition to their University award, students graduating with a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma receive the corresponding COSCA Certificate or COSCA Diploma.

Career opportunities

Many employers today require masters qualifications for management positions in counselling and psychotherapy. With the Master of Counselling, you can join the many Edinburgh graduates who now hold senior positions in the field, and contribute to the development of counselling and psychotherapy in the UK and across the world.

As a graduate, you could also gain employment as a counsellor and psychotherapist working in the statutory, voluntary/non-government and private sectors.

You can enter private practice, or use your counselling training and allied skills in communication and project management to enhance your career in a related profession, such as healthcare, social work, nursing or education.

Further study

After completing this programme, you may wish to consider applying for a PhD or other research programme.

Applying for research degrees

Moving on to a PhD (advice from the University's Careers Service)

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. 

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. 

With the Careers Service, you can: 

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions 

Visit the Careers Service website 

How to apply

There are two stages to the application process. Stage One assesses fitness to practise, including personal and academic suitability, understanding of counselling and psychotherapy in both theory and practice, and relevant professional experience. Stage Two assesses applicants' personal and professional suitability to become practitioners in the field, together with their readiness to undertake counselling and psychotherapy training.

Stage One requires you to submit an online application. Following Stage One, applicants with a successful outcome will be asked to proceed to Stage Two. 

You will be sent a Stage Two application pack which asks you to provide a further Personal Statement (criteria will be provided) and also a Professional Reference. Detailed guidelines on completion of both of these is given in the pack and both documents should be submitted at the same time.

Outcomes following written submissions will be communicated to applicants, and successful applicants will be asked to attend an online interview with two members of the academic teaching team.

When to apply

Programme start date Application deadline
13 September 2027 7 January 2027

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible so that we have sufficient time to process your application. This is particularly important if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. Applications may close earlier than published deadlines if there is exceptionally high demand. 

For an application to be reviewed, it must be a complete application by the application deadline with all supporting documentation uploaded, including your transcripts. 

If you already have evidence that you meet the English language entry requirements, such as via an approved English language test, please upload this evidence at the time of your application. If you have not already met your English language requirements, we will still review your application and issue a decision providing it is otherwise complete. 

Application fee

There is no fee to apply to this programme.

What you need to apply

As part of your online application, you will need to provide: 

You will also need to submit some or all of the following supporting documents:

When you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide.

Apply

Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for.

After you apply

Once you have applied for this programme, you will be able to track the progress of your application and accept or decline any offers.

Checking the status of your application

We will notify you by email once we have made a decision. Due to the large number of applications we receive, it might take a while until you hear from us.

Receiving our decision

What to do if you receive an offer:

Protecting Vulnerable Groups

If we give you an offer, you will need to join Disclosure Scotland's Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme before you start this degree programme.

We will send you information on how to join the PVG scheme.

PVG scheme information on the Scottish Government website

If you live outside the UK

If you live outside the UK, or have spent more than one year living outside the UK, then you will need to provide proof from the relevant national authority.

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:

  • apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programme
  • accept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 July
  • study at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in September

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

We also offer accommodation options for couples and families.

Accommodation for couples and families

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sport Clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. 

Find out more about living in Edinburgh

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include: 

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustments

Health and wellbeing support services 

Disability and Learning Support

General enquiries

Contact David Ford, our Programme Administrator, about your eligibility or how to apply.

Contact us
Phone:+44 (0)131 651 6671

Academic contact

Sharan Collins

Academic Selector

  • School of Health in Social Science
  • College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • University of Edinburgh

Contact details

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