Skip navigation Skip to main navigation for this site Skip to navigation for this section

  • Career Management and Counselling (MSc)
  • 2012/2013 entry
  • Contact us
  • Assessment

    • Essays or reports; counselling transcripts; written examinations in June each year and an independent applied research project (8000–10,000 words), normally submitted at the end of the final year.

  • Attendance
      • October–July.
      • Students attend five termly residential weekend workshops and 14 counselling skills workshop days at Birkbeck over two years.
  • Duration
      • Two years part-time minimum, four years part-time maximum.
  • Entry requirements
      • A good honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognised university.
      • A good command of the English language, both written and oral (IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent for applicants whose first language is not English). 
      • Management development professionals and consultants without a first degree but with suitable professional qualifications and at least five or more years' significant management experience in a range of organisations may be considered.

      Find out about our international entry requirements

  • Fees and funding
      • Part-time (home/EU students): £5932 pa
      • Part-time (overseas students): £7862 pa
  • Location
      • By network learning, with regular face-to-face counselling skills sessions in central London and termly residential weekend workshops just outside London.
  • Teaching

    • Theoretical components are taught mainly through online, tutor-supported discussion groups via network learning. This is supplemented with residential weekends, involving both lectures and group exercises.

      The career counselling skills are taught mainly through seven one-day workshops during both years, with teaching and feedback on skills development from experienced tutors. Access to suitable clients is required for this work.

Career Management and Counselling (MSc) - 2012/2013 entry


  • Overview

    • This programme combines an in-depth study of career management, counselling and coaching with practical training in career counselling skills, the development of research skills and the academic study of behaviour at work. It will enable you to critically evaluate theory, research and practice in these fields.

      It is one of the few programmes in the UK to focus on adult career management and counselling. It attracts individuals working in a wide range of settings and organisational contexts, and provides excellent opportunities for peer learning and networking.

  • Why study this course at Birkbeck?
      • Suitable for those wanting careers in adult career counselling and other career-based roles, such as mentoring or coaching.
      • Unique combination of theoretical rigour and practical skills training.
      • Our Department of Organizational Psychology is renowned for its quality teaching and expertise in the delivery of part-time programmes.
      • Combination of face-to-face teaching and network learning allowing you to study from home, at work or abroad.
  • Course structure
  • Study resources

    • Access to an extensive range of electronic resources, including specially prepared texts for each module. Use of the online learning environment with a high level of staff support.

      Find out more about our student support and study facilities.

  • Further study opportunities

    • If you are interested in further research, we offer a PhD/MPhil in Organizational Psychology. Progress to PhD will normally be dependent on gaining at least a merit grade in the Master's programme. It will also be dependent on a member of the teaching staff agreeing to act as principal supervisor for your research.

  • Careers information

    • Career counselling and coaching is an expanding profession, given the changing world of work and ever-increasing career options. A large number of students have completed these programmes over the years, and they have a remarkable success rate in applying for jobs in the field. Some have joined career management and outplacement agencies; some have taken up positions in university careers advisory services; others have set up their own private practice. Not all want to spend their time doing one-to-one work, however, and some use the skills and knowledge gained on the course to progress in their current management role: for example, some with HR backgrounds have taken the lead in their organisation to develop career management initiatives for employees.

      In a recent Graduate Destination Survey, our graduates told us they were working as managers and consultants for law firms, the British Council, Shell, American Express and the London Business School.

  • Apply now
    • Application deadlines and interviews
      • Applications accepted January–early September; early application is recommended.
    • Online application
      Online applications open Monday 17 October. If you have any questions, please contact us (see details above).