- Overview
- Course modules
- Entry requirements
- What makes this course different
- Accreditations
- What we're researching
- Your future career
- How we support your career ambitions
- Careers Guarantee
- What you'll learn
- How you'll learn
- How you'll be assessed
- Campus and facilities
- Who teaches this course
- Testimonial
- FAQs
Overview
The Master of Science in Integrative Counselling and Coaching is a unique and ground-breaking course. It is the only postgraduate course in the UK, and possibly in the world, that integrates counselling and coaching practices.
This course provides professional training to those who aim to integrate various counselling approaches and coaching in their one-to-one practice.
Broadly speaking, counselling concerns itself with resolving internal conflicts and facilitating psychological changes. Coaching deals more with goal achievement and behavioural changes. For example, counselling may address underlying issues and reasons why someone has a drinking problem, while coaching would deal with the habit itself. Although there is some overlap between these two approaches, they are not interchangeable. However, they can be complementary.
By covering both counselling and coaching training, this course answers an ever-increasing need for integrative practitioners.
After completing the first two years of this course, you will be able to apply for registered membership of BACP and eventual accreditation (as is the case with all other training courses, the latter requires additional practice hours).
Course requirements
During the course or on placement, you may deliver online and telephone counselling. To undertake this, it is a requirement that you have:
- A good internet connection
- Suitable technology/devices.
- Technical ability to work online
- A private space to attend online training sessions and/or for OPT sessions if remote client work at the student’s home is required/allowed
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Course modules
Our MSc in Integrative Counselling and Coaching provides an integrative approach to psychological support, blending two disciplines. You'll gain a foundational understanding of coaching methods in Evidence-Based Coaching Theory and Practice, exploring the research and psychological theories that drive effective coaching, alongside its connection to counselling. Personal Consultancy teaches you to integrate counselling and coaching skills into a cohesive, holistic approach. Through case studies and reflective exercises, you'll develop your own unique methodology. You'll learn how to offer comprehensive support that draws on both fields. This Integrative Counselling and Coaching master's equips graduates with the knowledge and practical skills to work flexibly across the counselling-coaching spectrum.
The second year of Integrative Counselling and Coaching PGDipMSc focuses on integrating coaching approaches with counselling practice. The Evidence-Based Coaching module examines research foundations and psychological theories behind coaching, particularly how it complements goal-oriented counselling work. The Personal Consultancy module builds on this by teaching practical integration of counselling and coaching techniques through a structured framework, allowing you to develop a personalised approach to providing comprehensive client support that draws from both disciplines.
This Integrative Counselling and Coaching MSc Year 3 develops essential research skills for postgraduate study and a significant contribution to the field. "Research Methods 1" focuses on building critical awareness for original research, covering quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and equipping you to critically review literature and propose research projects. "Research Methods 2" then guides you in making a research contribution to applied psychology, preparing you for real-world research challenges and the successful completion of your dissertation in areas such as positive psychology, coaching, or international psychosocial consultation.
NOTE: Modules are subject to change. For those studying part time courses the modules may vary.
Download course specification
Entry requirements
What makes this course different

1st course of its kind in the UK
This ground-breaking course is unique. It is the only postgraduate course in the UK, and possibly the world, that offers integration of counselling and coaching practices.

World-leading research
92% of our overall research is rated as world-leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised.

The centre of integrative movement
All our staff are very much involved and engaged in the integrative practice, some of them being founding members of the Association of Integrative Coach Therapist Practitioners (AICTP). Dr Nash Popovic, is the founder of the Personal Consultancy model of integration that is used in this course. So, you will be working at the very centre of the integrative movement.
Accreditation

BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Accredited by the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
See more detailsWhat we're researching
The Research Excellence Framework is a six-yearly review by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
In 2021 it rated 92 per cent of our overall research as world-leading, internationally excellent or internationally recognised.
Based on our psychology research, Dr Nash Popovic and Debra Jinks developed Personal Consultancy, a model of counselling-coaching integration, that the above course is based on.
Dr Nash Popovic and his colleagues explored the effectiveness and experience of an integrated counselling and coaching approach with distressed young people. Findings indicated that young people responded well to the integrated treatment and that it can be an effective way of reducing distress in young people.
Dr Tim Lomas has explored the impact of meditation on men's well-being, using a mixed-methods design comprising narrative interviews, cognitive testing, and EEG measurement.
Your future career
With this qualification, you will be able to work as an integrative counselling practitioner and personal consultant either independently or within organisations offering such services. The demand for integrative counselling practitioners is steadily increasing in private, public and voluntary sectors. Being the only postgraduate course of its kind at the moment makes this qualification highly sought-after.
Professional development
After completing the course you can apply for membership of BACP and the Association of Integrative Coach - Therapist Practitioners (AICTP). Both are relevant for your counselling career.
During this course, you will also develop an understanding of real-life application of psychology skills and theory as well as capabilities to pursue successful, ethical and useful careers.
Graduate employers
Previous counselling students have developed successful independent practices across various sectors (e.g. health and education sectors, corporate sector, third sector organisations, private practice). A number of students consider themselves 'portfolio workers' in that they engage in a mix of work (drawn from all of the above) depending on their strengths, experience and particular interests and focus.
More specifically, the Master's degree and research skills will increase your chances of getting employment, particularly in the public sector and the third sector (at the moment, there is a shortage of counselling practitioners who can analyse the data that third-sector organisations collect).
Job roles
If not already working as a counsellor, you could move into employment as a counselling, coaching or integrative practitioner. You could work in the NHS as a wellbeing practitioner or in other health or charity settings.

I had long considered training as a counsellor. The MSc Integrative Counselling and Coaching at the University of East London stood out because it combines both practical and therapeutic work. Many of the individuals I have worked with are hesitant about therapy yet are open to forward focused conversations. Having the ability to offer both counselling and coaching feels essential for the communities I want to serve."Esther Okeowo
MSc Integrative Counselling and Coaching
How you'll learn
The integrative counselling course combines academic rigour with practical skills to ensure that all graduates are both highly effective and credible counselling professionals.
It will prepare you for practice in the area of integrative counselling and coaching, drawing on the distinctive perspective and expertise of the staff. Our staff are practising counsellors and psychotherapists so you will be taught by those working in the field. Natalie Bailey, the course leader, is also the chair of the BACP.
Guided independent study
The course provides a variety of teaching and learning methods, including lectures and workshops, seminars and facilitated group discussions, as well as support through our virtual learning environment (Moodle). You will also benefit from skills practice sessions, group supervision sessions and individual tutorials. The aim is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, attributes and confidence to work in this innovative way.
Workload
You will be expected to complete 100 hours of counselling placement work (from Term 2 in year one). During each teaching week, you will attend an hour and a half of facilitated supervision in groups of a maximum of six students. The purpose of these supervision sessions is to give you another chance (besides your individual supervision) to discuss and improve your work.
If you proceed to the third year you will have an opportunity to undertake research and write a dissertation on a topic of your choice.
How you'll be assessed
All courses are continuously assessed: there are no exams but you complete assessed work for each module. Assessment requirements include a range of professionally relevant activities in addition to the more traditional essays, reports and case studies. We also assess you on how you evaluate your own performance, through reflective practice.
Campus and facilities
Stratford Campus, London, E15 4LZ
Our historic Stratford campus is located in one of the best-connected areas of London: close to Stratford's thriving town centre, the 2012 Olympic Park, just 15 minutes from London's West End and 20 minutes from Canary Wharf.
Stratford’s facilities include a state-of-the-art library and learning centre, the majestic great hall and specialist laboratories and computing services. The School of Childhood and Social Care, and Centre for Clinical Education in Podiatry, Physiotherapy and Sports Science are housed in new buildings. There is also a campus restaurant and bookshop, and a Students' Union café-bar.
Westfield Stratford City - Europe's largest indoor shopping mall - is just one of Stratford's attractions, alongside many other shops, cafés, bars, restaurants and cinemas. Stratford is fast becoming London's new cultural quarter, with Sadler's Wells East and V&A East moving in.
Who teaches this course
This course is delivered by School of Childhood and Social Care
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
What our staff and students say

The course tutors and modules really cemented the notion that I made the right choice for my degree. The social life and student union bar were a close second! I met so many amazing people and I’m still close to many of them today.”
Tejni Shah
MSc Integrative Counselling and Coaching

The MSc Integrative Counselling and Coaching at UEL had been on my radar for some time. Its integration of coaching and counselling felt rare and intentional, and returning to UEL felt like the right step."
Ruby Kvalheim
MSc Integrative Counselling and Coaching









