Doctor of Psychotherapy by Professional Studies (DPsych) | Online
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Course Overview
The Doctor of Psychotherapy by Professional Studies (DPsych) is a unique post-qualification training programme offered collaboratively by Middlesex University and Metanoia Institute. This programme is designed for accredited therapists, counsellors, and related professionals aiming to develop advanced research skills while deepening their practice. Delivered entirely online, the course allows students to conceptualise, design, carry out, and report original research related to their professional practice. Successful completion leads to the award of a DPsych, equivalent to a PhD, and provides a robust foundation for publication and further professional development.
Who is it for?
The programme takes between three and seven years to complete and is aimed at accredited therapists, counsellors, counselling psychologists and suitably qualified practitioners from related professions. The programme draws on extensive theoretical and practical resources to enable the student to understand, conduct and publish research at a professionally acceptable level. Generally, a research topic selected by the student should relate to their professional practice/experience. The programme encourages theoretical and methodological diversity and aims to generate quality research projects that are relevant to the real-life issues in therapeutic/counselling practice.
Contact
Head of Programme: cristina.harnagea@metanoia.ac.uk
Academic Co-ordinator: Dpsychadmin@metanoia.ac.uk
Start Your Application for the Full-Time Option
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 the button below to begin your application:
Start Your Application for the Part-Time Option
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If you have previously trained with us please use your student portal log in details.
For more information about the application process, please visit our Frequently asked Questions page.
Course Summary
- Field of Study: Education (Teaching and Counselling)
- Duration: 3-7years
- Start Dates: October 2025
- Teaching Institution: Metanoia Institute
- Awarding Institution: Middlesex University
- Accrediting Professional Body: N/A
- Entry Requirements:
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A first degree in psychotherapy, counselling, psychology, or a related discipline, with a minimum of a 2:1 classification.
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Accreditation with either UKCP, BACP, BPS, etc., or international equivalent.
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A provisional research proposal of approximately 2,000 words including an introduction to the problem to be researched, a brief literature review concluding with the gap in the literature, a tentative research question, a rationale for the value of the potential findings and implications for practice/services/policy, ideas about potential method/ology, and some relevant bibliographic references.
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Applicants who meet the requirements will be invited to an interview with the Programme team. They will be expected to discuss their research experience and plans for the doctoral project.
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We welcome expressions of interest from prospective doctoral candidates who demonstrate critical insight, social awareness, intellectual rigour, and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
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- English Language Requirements:
- English language proficiency for non-native speakers: IELTS minimum 7.0 (with no component below 6.5).
- 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.
- English language proficiency for non-native speakers: IELTS minimum 7.0 (with no component below 6.5).
- Location: Online
Fees
Annual Course Fees for 2026/2027 - Full Time
- £13,500 per year
Annual Course Fees for 2025/2026 - Part Time
- £7,350 per year
Annual Course Fees for 2025/2026 - Full Time
- £13,150 per year
Annual Course Fees for 2025/2026 - Part Time
- £7,150 per year
Validated by Middlesex University
The programme is validated and quality-assured by Middlesex University.
📥 Middlesex University Programme Spec
Metanoia Research Scholarship: 25% Funding for Values-Driven Doctoral Impact
Supporting Doctoral Research that advances Inclusion, Responsibility, and Positive Change
Metanoia Institute is pleased to offer a number of Metanoia Research Scholarships – representing a prestigious funding opportunity for applicants to our DPsych programmes.
Each scholarship provides a substantial 25% contribution towards your DPsych tuition fees for the entire duration of your programme. This significant support is awarded to those whose research proposals demonstrate exceptional originality, intellectual rigour, and a clear alignment with Metanoia’s core values.
These scholarships are designed to support doctoral research that reflects our commitment to:
- Promoting diversity and inclusion within psychotherapy and counselling theory, practice, and research
- Challenging systemic inequalities in mental health provision and access
- Strengthening communities through accessible and socially impactful therapeutic work
- Fostering openness, cultural humility, and innovation in psychological inquiry
- Encouraging reflective, responsible practice that contributes meaningfully to the profession
We welcome expressions of interest from prospective doctoral candidates whose work demonstrates critical insight, social awareness, and a commitment to personal and professional growth – values that are central to Metanoia’s mission.
Please email your expressions of interest to dpsychscholarships@metanoia.ac.uk