The Doctorate in Psychotherapy and Counselling is an advanced professional training, meeting recognised standards for psychotherapy and counselling training and education. Designed to meet the needs of both international and local students, the programme provides a route to a qualification in psychotherapy and counselling at doctoral level. It contains a recognised qualification to practise as a psychotherapist or counsellor, and combines theoretical insights from the psychodynamic and person-centred traditions with practical experience gained in a range of psychotherapy and counselling agencies and advanced research engagement.
Studying at a world-class institution, you will benefit from outstanding resources to support your learning on this established and recognised programme. Learning is facilitated by core tutors who are experienced practitioners of counselling and psychotherapy, as well as by clinical tutors and practice supervisors who help students reflect on their therapeutic work. A distinctive feature of this programme is the opportunity to gain practice experience at a range of counselling agencies, including our own dedicated placement agency, Hope Park Counselling Centre, one of very few such research and practice centres in the UK.
Career opportunities
The Professional Doctorate of Psychotherapy and Counselling is the highest level of qualification available in this area. It enables graduates to practise as counsellors or therapists in the UK, and in other countries with equivalent professional and academic standards. Graduates will be in a position to gain positions as practitioners, counselling educators, managers and academics working in a range of settings, including private, statutory and voluntary or non-government sectors.
September 2025
The University of Edinburgh
Student Recruitment and Admissions,
33 Buccleuch Place,
EDINBURGH,
EDINBURGH, CITY OF,
EH8 9JS, SCOTLAND, Scotland
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.