This Level 6 bridging programme provides a foundation for students wishing to progress to postgraduate psychotherapy training. It introduces key humanistic principles, integrative theory, and reflective practice, supporting students to develop the personal insight and theoretical understanding necessary for advanced therapeutic study.
The Integrative Humanistic Psychotherapy Studies (UKCP preparatory year) is designed to help students ‘find their modality’ – developing an informed awareness of the different approaches to psychotherapy and counselling available at Metanoia Institute. Through experiential and theoretical learning, participants gain clarity on their professional direction and readiness for postgraduate-level study.
If you have already taken a Foundation Year in Psychotherapy, or training that may be equivalent to our UKCP Preparatory Year, you may be eligible for Direct Entry onto one of our Psychotherapy MSc programmes. Please see their programme pages on our website for more details of Direct Entry.
The programme emphasises experiential learning, reflective practice, and personal growth within an integrative humanistic framework. It encourages students to explore their relational style and therapeutic identity while grounding their learning in theory and ethical awareness.
Teaching and learning
Teaching takes place through weekend sessions that combine experiential group work, theoretical lectures, and counselling skills practice. Reflective discussions are central to the learning process, helping students connect their personal experiences with broader therapeutic concepts.
Assessment
Students are assessed through reflective journals, written assignments, practical evaluations, and multimedia portfolio-based work, allowing for a holistic demonstration of learning and self-development.
Clinical and experiential work
While there is no formal placement requirement, experiential exercises and skills practice are integrated throughout the programme to help students apply theory to practice in a supported environment.
Programme delivery
The programme has two delivery models: a weekend model which runs Friday to Sunday 6 times a year and an evening model which runs every Monday evening (except holidays) between September and July.
On campus learning will be supplemented by some live, online learning activities too, building skills for online practice. These online activities may be scheduled on a different day of the week to the on campus learning.
Successful completion of the Integrative Humanistic Psychotherapy Studies (UKCP preparatory year) enables students to progress to MSc-level psychotherapy training at Metanoia Institute, including pathways such as Integrative, Humanistic, Person-Centred, Gestalt, and Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy.
Associate Director of Post Graduate Taught Programmes and Access and Participation Lead
The following schedule outlines the teaching dates for the Integrative Humanistic Psychotherapy Studies (UKCP Preparatory Year). Students should refer to their allocated delivery mode for specific session attendance.
Please note: all dates and times may be subject to change.
Students should reserve all listed dates. Individual group allocations will be confirmed at the start of the academic year.
Students should reserve all listed dates. Sessions are rotated across groups, so not all times will be used by all students.
Sessions will take place on the following Tuesday evenings:
The evening model is expected to involve approximately 48 hours of online attendance across the full period. Please note you will not be required to attend all these sessions, however a small number of these online contact hours may fall into different times due to the the timetabling of special events such as institute wide lectures, student support sessions, and one to ones with your tutor (arranged at mutual convenience).
Students should reserve all listed weekends. Individual group timetables will be confirmed at the start of the academic year.
Students should reserve all listed dates.
Sessions will take place on the following weekends:
The weekend model is expected to involve approximately 42 hours of online attendance across the full period. Please note you will not be required to attend all these sessions, however a small number of these online contact hours may fall into different times due to the the timetabling of special events such as institute wide lectures, student support sessions, and one to ones with your tutor (arranged at mutual convenience).
Applicants are normally expected to hold 120 Level 5 credits.
Candidates should have relevant experience of working with people in a responsible role.
For students whose first language is not English, an IELTS score of 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.5 in each component) is required unless you have a prior higher education qualification taught in English.
Find out about additional course requirements here:
Initial Fees
Annual Course Fees for 2026/2027
At Metanoia, we are committed to empowering the next generation of professionals in counselling and psychotherapy. This programme offers a unique opportunity to develop your skills and achieve your career aspirations in a supportive learning environment.
Click one of the buttons below to begin your application.