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Master of Counselling

Overview

If you're looking to become an accredited counsellor and help people who are struggling with a range of life challenges, the Master of Counselling is for you.

This 2-year full-time program will provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical skills for a successful career in professional counselling. The program is designed for those with an approved degree in social work, psychology, human services, nursing or a related field who want to gain professional counselling qualifications.

The program has a strong focus on integrative approaches to counselling and applied psychotherapy. It seeks to effectively and respectfully enhance outcomes for people struggling with a range of challenges.

You'll study courses that will develop your knowledge and professional counselling skills. You'll learn about research that informs counselling practice, understand key best-practice principles and master how to work with a diverse range of clients.

In your second year, you'll undertake more than 360 hours of supervised practical placement in government, community and private agencies. While on placement you'll complete a major project, which provides you the opportunity to apply counselling theory and research skills.

Taught in conjunction with UQ’s School of Psychology, the program is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.

Location
St Lucia
Duration
2 Years (or part time equivalent)
Start Semester
Semester 1 (24 Feb, 2025)
Program Code
5333
AQF
Level 9
Location
St Lucia
Fees
A$43200
Duration
2 Years
Start Semester
Semester 1 (24 Feb, 2025)
Semester dates for 2026 are yet to be confirmed
Program Code
5333
CRICOS Code
048816G
AQF
Level 9

Program highlights

Program highlights

  • Build on your background in social and behavioural sciences, psychology or nursing, and embark on a career in counselling.
  • Be confident you're job-ready, with 360 hours of supervised clinical placements.
  • Learn from professionals and practising counsellors to gain an accredited qualification.

33 in the world for psychology

QS World University Rankings 2024

1 in Queensland for psychology

Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023

Watch Alex shares his experience studying the Master of Counselling on YouTube.

How you'll learn

Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Work placements
  • Online study
  • Research experience
  • Seminars

Placements and work experience

Students undertake a minimum of 364 placement hours, including a minimum of 60 direct client contact hours, in the second year (or equivalent) of their program. Placements occur in organisations which offer counselling or other mental health and wellbeing services across a variety of fields, including, but not limited to, general counselling, drug and alcohol, domestic violence and mental health.During their placement, students undertake supervised counselling practice in a real-life setting, providing them the opportunity to apply and integrate the theoretical knowledge acquired through coursework while developing their clinical skills.Placement organisations are found across the Greater Brisbane Region including in Ipswich, Caboolture, Beenleigh and Logan. There are placement opportunities on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts for students living in those areas. Students are required to fund their daily living expenses, accommodation and travel while on placement.Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.

What you'll study

At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:

  • Counselling and mental health
  • Family therapy traditions: basic concepts and skills
  • Understanding and caring for those affected by loss
  • Counselling for crisis and violence

Career possibilities

Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

  • Crisis counsellor
  • Grief counsellor
  • Drug and alcohol counsellor
  • Relationship counsellor
  • Rehabilitation counsellor
  • Child and youth counsellor
  • Sexual assault counsellor
  • Student counsellor
  • Family counsellor
  • Therapeutic counsellor

Program accreditation

The Master of Counselling is accredited by:

  • Australian Counselling Association, Psychotherapy And Counselling Federation Of Australia
What’s it like to study mental health and counselling as a postgraduate?
Nisha Gupta, UQ Master of Counselling student

Uni life

What’s it like to study mental health and counselling as a postgraduate?

6-minute read

From classroom to practice: insights from my Master of Counselling placement
Master of Counselling placement

Uni life

From classroom to practice: insights from my Master of Counselling placement

3-minute read

Meet the expert: exploring counselling with Dr Kate Witteveen
Counselling expert Professor Kate Witteveen

UQ people

Meet the expert: exploring counselling with Dr Kate Witteveen

4-minute read

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

To be eligible for entry, you'll need:

A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with demonstrated prior learning in the social and behavioural sciences (see below for relevant disciplines), andApplicants are required to submit a recorded interview.Entry is competitive, with a limited intake.
A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with demonstrated prior learning in the social and behavioural sciences (see below for relevant disciplines), andApplicants are required to submit a recorded interview.Entry is competitive, with a limited intake.

Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications

Relevant disciplines include social work, psychology, social welfare, behavioural studies, human services, nursing, therapies, medicine, education or related fields.

English language requirements

IELTS overall 7; reading 7; writing 7; speaking 7; listening 7. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ

TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 100, listening 25, reading 25, writing 27, speaking 23.

PTE Academic - Overall 72, sub bands minimum 72.

CES - Overall 185, All sub bands minimum 185.

BE and OET are not accepted.

 

There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.

Learn how to meet the English language requirements

Inherent requirements

To complete this degree, you have to meet its inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes. Read the inherent requirements before you apply.

Learn about inherent requirements

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Counselling are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Need help meeting the entry requirements?

We can help you meet the academic or English language requirements for your preferred program.

If you haven’t completed the prerequisites, we can help.

Learn about pathway options

Additional application information

Applicants are required to submit a recorded oral presentation. Further details, including topics for this assessment items will be provided to applicants in late September/early October. Offers will be made on academic achievement and recorded oral presentation. There are limited places available in this program. Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on the HABS Placement website. For applicants who need to provide evidence of English proficiency, please note that this program requires a higher level of English language proficiency than the UQ minimum. The number of CSPs for Semester 1 commencement are limited. There is no separate application process for CSPs and all eligible applicants that submit a complete application by 30 November in the year prior to commencement will be automatically considered. Applicants will be notified prior to the start of classes whether they have been offered a CSP.

Additional application information

Applicants are required to submit a recorded oral presentation. Further details, including topics for this assessment items will be provided to applicants in late September/early October. <10><10>Offers will be made on academic achievement and recorded oral presentation. There are limited places available in this program. Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on the HABS Placement website. For applicants who need to provide evidence of English proficiency, please note that this program requires a higher level of English language proficiency than the UQ minimum.

Fees and Scholarships

Indicative annual fee

Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

$16,323

2024

Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.

$16,323

2025

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

AUD $43,200

2024

Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.

AUD $43,200

2025

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Government assistance

Financial aid

As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.

Learn more about financial aid

HECS-HELP

Domestic places in the Master of Counselling are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.

Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.

HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.

Learn more about HECS-HELP

Centrelink support

Scholarships

You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:

How to apply

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in semester 1 - September 15 of the previous year.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

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