Counselling and Psychotherapy interview information
Counselling and Psychotherapy interview information
Thank you for applying for the Postgraduate Diploma / MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy at UEL.
Admission onto the course is subject to successfully passing an online individual interview via MS Teams, followed by then successfully passing a group interview in person at UEL Stratford Campus, so please read the following information carefully.
Due to the high competition for places, if you are unable to attend your interview, it may not be possible for us to reschedule.
Please hold Tuesday 6 May 2025 for the on-campus group interview day. This is the only group day we will be holding.
What do I need to know before interview?
To confirm or decline your attendance, or to request an alternative date, please log on to the Applicant Portal.
Please be aware that we may not be able to offer an alternative date, so please only request one if you are definitely not able to attend on the date that you have been offered. This programme has limited places, therefore, you are strongly advised to accept the first date offered.
Our individual interviews will be held online, while our group interviews will be conducted in person at our Stratford Campus on Tuesday 7 May 2024. We value meeting our interviewees in person.
What do I need to bring to the individual interview?
Please think of a metaphor that describes you and prepare a short explanation of why you chose that metaphor. You’ll be asked to share this with your interviewer in the MS Teams chat box during your individual interview. Please also attach a photo of yourself in the chat box.
Where does my interview take place?
Your individual interview will take place online, on Microsoft Teams. Once you have confirmed your interview time, you will then be emailed a calendar invite directly from your interviewer which will include a link to join your Teams interview meeting. Please ensure you download Teams in advance of your interview or use the internet browser on your device. Please take steps to check your IT setup including WIFI connection, and device settings in the location where you will be for your interview in advance of the meeting. If you have any issues on the day of your interview, please email the Interviewer via the MSTeams appointment or the email invitation.
Group interviews will then take place on Tuesday 6 May 2025 at the School of Psychology on the Stratford University of East London campus. The address is:
The University of East London
School of Psychology – Arthur Edwards Building
Stratford Campus
Water Lane
E15 4LZ
On arrival, you should report to the main entrance reception desk in the Conference and Computing Centre. Directions to the University can be found on our Finding Us page. Further instructions will be sent to you by the admissions tutor should you progress to the group interview stage.
What do the interviews involve?
Your individual interview will only last for 25 minutes maximum. During your individual interview, we will ask six questions that aim to help you convey your readiness for the course. We will ask about your motivations, and relevant experience and want to get a sense of where you are in your personal process of self-development. The interviewer will be a member of our teaching team and will be happy to answer brief questions during the interview.
Upon successfully passing your individual interview, you will then be invited to attend an in-person group interview, where you will be asked to engage in group discussions on topics academic tutors will assign on the day. Your in-person interview will last no longer than 2 hours and include a chance to hear from the Course Leader and Teachers on the course.
Look at our website to learn more about this specific programme. Another useful website which gives you information about counselling training is that of our accrediting body: the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Who will be conducting the interview?
You will be interviewed by teaching staff from the programme.
How will I know if I have been successful in my application?
We will inform all applicants if they are invited to the group interview day in the first two weeks of April. Everyone interviewed will be informed if they will be offered a place on the course by the end of May 2025.
Special access or requirements
If you have any special access or communication requirements for your visit, please send a message using the admissions portal as soon as you receive your email invitation.
We look forward to meeting you.