PG Diploma Counselling

Accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Postgraduate Diploma component runs over a period of one year and is designed to equip successful students to practise professionally as counsellors. The central theoretical model for the course is the person-centred approach developed by Carl Rogers. Students may opt to progress to the full research-based MA Counselling after the first year.

Course Organiser:Ms. Jane Nichols

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Entry Requirements Entry Requirement

Applicants will normally be expected to be graduates (of any discipline), but those with other professional qualifications or who can demonstrate appropriate academic skills will be considered. More importantly, applicants will be expected to have undertaken previous counselling or counselling skills training.

Applicants from the UK should have undertaken or be in the process of undertaking a Certificate in Counselling Skills, ideally in the person-centre approach, and overseas applicants should be able to demonstrate significant experience in a helping role.

More details regarding entry requirements are in the course brochure, but the most important thing is to ensure that you have engaged in appropriate counselling skills training prior to making your application.

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English or those whose degree was not taught in English. To ensure such students benefit fully from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. We also will require a certain standard to be achieved on the written element of the test. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

• IELTS: 7.0 overall (6.5 in the reading and writing components; and 6.0 in the listening and speaking components)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 100 overall (minimum 22 in the listening, writing and reading components; and 23 in the speaking component)
• PTE: 70 overall (minimum 62 in all components)

In certain circumstances we may require you to complete a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course prior to beginning your programme. This course may be taken at our INTO Language Learning Centre.

Special Entry Requirements Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Check

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN: Disclosure of Criminal Background for Those with Access to Children
All applicants who have been offered a place to study the course will be required to obtain a fresh Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure.

An application pack will be sent from the University (this usually happens from April onwards). This should be completed and returned as soon as possible.

General information about this process can be obtained from the Criminal Records Bureau Website.

The School of Education and Lifelong Learning is one of the UK's leading centres for research and teaching in education, offering a distinctively broad range of programmes at Postgraduate level.

We are a diverse community of practitioners, scholars and academics who teach, research, and provide professional development. We seek to equip educationalists and other professionals with the skills and insights they need as part of their continued professional development at a time of rapid educational and organisational change.

The School is nationally and internationally recognised for its work in educational innovation and social change; literacy and development; and mathematics education. We have extensive links with overseas agencies and organisations and strong working relationships with practitioners, educators and policymakers in all sectors of the education system and other related professional fields. We are proud of both our local roots and our international reach and our partnerships with schools and colleges, with adult educational groups and with governments and universities are greatly valued.

We use a variety of teaching technologies, including lectures, seminars, practical work and IT e-learning resources. These are delivered by experienced members of academic staff, often in a relatively informal learning environment within small groups. Assessment is usually by written assignments and a dissertation. A continuous control process ensures that our teaching quality continues to develop, and students have access to a number of quality-control channels including student feedback forms, debriefing meetings, and the Student Liaison Committee to help us monitor, evaluate and develop current practice.

There are many external indicators which endorse the quality of our teaching and research. These include top ratings within the National Student Satisfaction survey, '+3' Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognition, and "Outstanding" recognition by OfSTED for our programmes of Initial Teacher Education.

Career Opportunities

Our graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects. A high proportion of our Masters graduates occupy senior posts in schools, universities and ministries all over the world.

The University of East Anglia provides a professional Careers Centre and, together with the School's Academic Careers Adviser, we will help students to pursue their chosen career path and develop their employability skills.

Come and Visit Us

Our Open Days will give you the opportunity to experience the University of East Anglia's unique campus atmosphere.

You will have the chance to attend subject-specific talks and presentations about student life and finance. You will also be able to talk directly to academics, admissions staff and current students giving you a first-hand impression of life at the University of East Anglia - check out the accommodation, learning resources, student support, and our sport and entertainment facilities.

If you are not able to visit us in person, check out our Virtual Open Day experience which we hope will help to provide you with an insight into life and study at the University of East Anglia.

Further Information

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances with the Admissions Office prior to applying
please do contact us:

Admissions Office (Education and Lifelong Learning)
Tel: +44 (0)1603 593252
Email: pgedu.admiss@uea.ac.uk

Please click here to download the School of Education and Lifelong Learning Postgraduate Prospectus or register your details via our Online Enquiry Form.

International candidates are also actively encouraged to access the University's International section of our website.

Fees and Funding

Fees for the academic year 2013/2014 will be:

Postgraduate Diploma

• UK/EU Students: £6,900
• International Students: £12,500

Additional fees for students who decide to progress to the MA Counselling once they have completed the Postgraduate Diploma will be in the region of:

• UK/EU Students: £1,665
• International Students: £4,165

Living Expenses
Approximately £7,500 living expenses will be needed to adequately support yourself for one year.

Scholarships and Funding

A variety of Scholarships may be offered to UK students. Please click here for more detailed information about funding for UK students.

The University offers around £1 million of Scholarships each year to support International students in their studies. Scholarships are normally awarded to students on the basis of academic merit and are usually for the duration of the period of study. Please click here for further information about fees and funding for International students.