- Level
- Master Degree
- Duration
- 2 year master degree
- Open intake
-
Off-shoreSep 2027
- Field
- Sociology and Psychology
- Institution
- Public University
- Offer speed
- Superfast Offer Speed2–3 days
Program overview
A two year master degree in therapeutic practice with young people, covering counselling theory and skills, child development, safeguarding, supervised clinical placement and reflective practice.
At two years this is one of the longest masters at BCU, and unlike most psychology routes it includes supervised counselling placement rather than only taught content.
Master of Science in Counselling for Children and Young People is taught at the Birmingham City University, a UK university with degree awarding powers. Because the counselling master is a degree, it supports an application under the UK Graduate Route, which gives two years of unsponsored work in Britain after the counselling master ends, or three years for a doctorate. To claim it after the counselling master you must be inside the UK on a valid student visa when you apply. One limit applies to the counselling master as to every taught course in Britain: the rules introduced in January 2024 stop taught students bringing a spouse or children as dependants, so the counselling master cannot support a family move.
Applicants to Master of Science in Counselling for Children and Young People need a bachelor degree with a minimum of 70 percent. The English requirement is IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, and tuition for the counselling master is recorded at GBP 18,970 a year. BCU charges no application fee, so applying for the counselling master costs you nothing, and no scholarship is recorded against it. the counselling master lists three September entry windows, in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Apply Study Visa manages the the counselling master application, the deposit, the offer, the CAS and the UK student visa as one process.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: A completed bachelor degree from a recognised university, at the percentage stated.
- English (meet any one): IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5; TOEFL iBT 72 with reading 18, writing 17, speaking 20 and listening 17; or PTE Academic 59 with no component below 59. BCU does NOT accept the Duolingo English Test on any course.
- Application and deposit: BCU charges NO application fee, so applying costs you nothing. Confirm the tuition deposit and its refundability in writing before any money is transferred.
- Scholarship: No scholarship is recorded against this course. Budget the full tuition.
- Additional requirement: Counselling practice in the UK depends on registration with a professional body such as the BACP. Confirm the accreditation status of this course and its placement hours. Enhanced background checks apply to work with children.
- Graduate Route: the counselling master is a degree, so it supports a UK Graduate Route application giving two years of unsponsored work after you finish. You must apply from inside the UK on a valid student visa. Students on taught courses cannot bring a spouse or children as dependants under the January 2024 rules.
- Student visa: Apply Study Visa prepares the CAS request, the financial evidence and the UK student visa submission with you.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- Bachelor's degree marksheets & final certificate
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Updated CV / resume
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
Typical destinations for graduates:
- Counsellor: subject to professional body registration
- School Counsellor: education settings
- Youth Support Worker: community services
- Wellbeing Practitioner: after accreditation
- Family Support Worker: social care settings
- Clinical Supervisor: after substantial practice
Reality check: counselling practice in Britain runs through voluntary professional body registration, so confirm which body accredits this course before enrolling.
About Birmingham City University (BCU)
- Type
- University
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.7
- World rank
- #1189
- Established
- 1843
- Reference No.
- 10007140
