MSc Counselling and Psychology in Educational Settings

Program Overview

The MSc in Counselling and Psychology in Educational Settings is designed for students aiming to specialize in the application of psychology within educational contexts. This program is structured to prepare students to work effectively as educational psychologists with various stakeholders including children, young people, parents, and educators. Emphasizing systemic therapy, the curriculum equips graduates with essential theoretical and empirical psychology knowledge alongside vital counselling skills. Graduates will be prepared to address the complexities presented in school environments.

Entry Requirements

• University or College graduates holding a degree in Psychology or Education.
• University or College graduates with a degree in a closely related field containing substantial psychology components.

Requirements for Registration

• Copy of the latest studies certificate
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English
• Two Reference Letters
• Proficiency in English (IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent)
  • Candidates without official English language certificates may take the English language placement test.
• Academic interview
• Two photographs
• Copy of identification (ID card/passport)
• Copy of criminal record certificate

Program Structure

The MSc program comprises six (6) 20-credit modules along with a postgraduate dissertation worth 60 credits. Students will engage in applied practical experiences through supervised placements, requiring a minimum of 100 placement hours and 20 supervision hours.

Year 1

• Semester 1
  • Cognitive & Language Development in Learning: Assessment and Diagnosis (20 credits)
  • Social & Emotional Development: Assessment and Diagnosis (20 credits)
• Semester 2
  • Specific Learning Disabilities and Atypical Development: Assessment and Diagnosis (20 credits)
  • School Context, Ethics & Legislation in Action (20 credits)

Year 2

• Semester 3
  • Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods (20 credits)
• Semester 4
  • Counselling Skills in Action (20 credits)
  • Dissertation (60 credits)

Teaching and Learning Methods

The program employs various teaching methodologies to achieve learning objectives, including:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Discussion sessions
• Case-based learning
• Interactive workshops
• Laboratory sessions

Active participation is encouraged, focusing on the development of critical thinking, academic writing, communication skills, and investigative abilities.

Unique Aspects of the Program

• Focus on psychological applications within education and enhancement of counselling skills.
• Integration of local and broader educational frameworks and legislative contexts.
• Practical-oriented learning through real-life examples and case studies.
• Opportunities for personal development and professional growth, including access to psychometric tools training.

Career Prospects

Graduates can pursue diverse career paths, including:

• Positions in schools and nurseries
• Roles in counselling services and centres
• Employment in community support and social welfare organizations
• Engagement with humanitarian and development NGOs
• Opportunities for private practice as counsellors
• Pursuit of further studies towards a PhD or employment opportunities abroad

This master's program, delivered in partnership with the University of Derbya top-ranked UK institutionensures that students receive high-quality education preparing them for successful careers in educational settings and beyond.

MSc Counselling and Psychology in Educational Settings at Mediterranean College

Degree Overview:

• Objective: This program equips students with the expertise to specialize in educational/school settings by merging psychological and educational perspectives.
The curriculum emphasizes practical skills for working as educational psychologists with various groups, including children, young people, parents, teachers, and other professionals. Graduates will possess the knowledge and skills to prevent and address challenges faced within the educational environment through a systemic therapy approach.
• Description: This postgraduate program offers in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in both educational psychology and counselling, with a focus on systemic interventions.
Students acquire the knowledge base and learn to utilize diverse psychological tools for assessment and diagnosis within educational settings. The program emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills for effectively addressing educational challenges. The program adheres to local and global contexts and regulations, ensuring its relevance for professional application.

Outline:

• Structure:
• The MSc program consists of six 20-credit modules and a dissertation (60 credits).
• Year 1 comprises four modules: "Cognitive & Language Development in Learning: Assessment and Diagnosis," "Specific LD and Atypical Development: Assessment and Diagnosis," "Social & Emotional Development: Assessment and Diagnosis," and "School Context, Ethics & Legislation in Action."
• Year 2 includes two modules: "Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods" and "Counselling Skills in Action," along with the 60-credit dissertation.
• In the "School Context, Ethics & Legislation in Action" and "Counselling Skills in Action" modules, students gain practical experience through supervised placement in relevant settings.
• Module Descriptions:

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: This program incorporates a variety of teaching techniques to facilitate active student participation and skill development:
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Discussion sessions
• Case-based learning
• Interactive workshops
• Lab sessions
• Faculty:
• Unique Approaches:
• The program combines practical experience with theoretical understanding through supervised placement and real-life case studies.
• It adopts a systemic therapeutic approach in counselling, equipping students to address complex dynamic factors within educational settings.
• The diverse assessment methods cater to different learning styles and promote in-depth comprehension of the subject matter.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: This program prepares graduates for careers in a variety of settings:
• Schools and nurseries
• Counselling services & centers
• Community support & social welfare units
• Humanitarian and development NGOs
• Health sector settings
• Private practice as counselors
• Further Studies: Graduates can pursue PhD studies or explore professional opportunities abroad.

Other:

• Program Advantages:
• Emphasis on both psychology and counselling skills, enabling effective intervention within educational settings.
• Focus on systemic therapy approaches, equipping students to address complex relationships and dynamics.
• Incorporation of current local and international frameworks, fostering a relevant and globally applicable knowledge base.
• Hands-on practical experience through supervised placement opportunities.
• Personalized development plans to enhance student growth and career readiness.
• College Advantages:
• Established reputation: Mediterranean College has extensive experience and expertise in delivering psychology and counselling courses at various levels.
• Collaborative partnership with the University of Derby, a top-ranked UK university with a focus on employability.
• Team of experienced and certified lecturers who provide personalized support and excellent instruction.
• Access to a fully-equipped observation suite for practical skills development.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement through continued learning options.

Summary

The MSc Counselling and Psychology in Educational Settings program at Mediterranean College offers a comprehensive and unique educational experience. By merging theoretical knowledge with practical skill development and emphasizing systemic therapy interventions, the program equips students with the tools to excel in diverse educational settings and related careers. The strong faculty, well-equipped resources, and focus on student development contribute to its overall success in preparing graduates for fulfilling and impactful careers in educational psychology and counselling.

Mediterranean College is the first independent Anglophone college to be founded in Greece, established in 1977. For nearly five decades it has operated continuously according to the standards of countries with a long tradition in higher education, principally the United Kingdom and the United States. It holds the distinction of being the first college in Greece to introduce franchise degree programmes from a British state university, a model it pioneered in 1992 and which has since become the standard framework for private higher education across Greece and the wider European Union.

Today, Mediterranean College operates campuses in Athens (two locations), Glyfada and Thessaloniki, all centrally located and accessible by public transport. Across these campuses it delivers a portfolio of over 80 undergraduate, postgraduate and Continuing Professional Development courses through 10 academic schools, serving students from Greece and internationally.

Our mission

Mediterranean College has evolved into a higher education institution with a leading role in Greece across the study fields of Economics, Business, Computing, Social Sciences, Tourism, Health Professions and Engineering. Its mission rests on four pillars: academic excellence, student success, academic and technological innovation, and social contribution. The College's aim is to become a renowned international learning centre in Greece, delivering high-quality programmes within an educational environment where quality consistently meets student needs.

To realise that mission, the College is guided by the following commitments:

• Providing thorough preparation in each chosen field to support graduates' successful entry into the job market
• Creating a learning environment that challenges students while promoting ethics, responsibility and integrity
• Developing transferable skills including critical thinking, creativity, analysis and communication, applicable in any professional, academic or social context
• Enhancing employability through active industry connections and support for gaining practical experience
• Preparing students for leading positions in national and international economies through broad and varied academic exposure.
• Offering flexible delivery patterns and scholarships to make higher education accessible to all qualified students
• Broadening research relations with national and international institutions and academics of international reputation
• Participating actively in the social and cultural life of the community

Academic partnership: University of Derby

Mediterranean College's primary and longest-standing academic partner is the University of Derby, a British university with a 180-year history and a student-centred philosophy. The College has held a strategic franchise partnership with Derby since 2010, under which franchised programmes delivered at Mediterranean College are identical to those delivered on Derby's own campuses in the UK. The university retains full responsibility for curriculum content, teaching and assessment methods, and quality assurance mechanisms.

As a result of this partnership, Mediterranean College ranks first in Greece in the study fields of Business, Marketing, Education, Hospitality and Mechanical Engineering, according to the Guardian University Guide. The University of Derby itself holds a TEF Gold rating for teaching excellence, is ranked in the top 5 in the UK for Marketing and PR and for Civil Engineering (Guardian 2026), and 96.3% of its graduates move into employment within six months of graduating.

A Mediterranean College student enrolled under this partnership is simultaneously a University of Derby student, studying the same curriculum delivered on Derby's home campus. They hold the same rights and responsibilities as Derby students in the UK, may participate in exchange schemes, fieldtrips and university-organised projects, and are eligible for postgraduate scholarships at the University of Derby. Their degree is professionally equivalent to degrees awarded by other Greek and international universities, and enables registration with UK professional bodies and the right to practise in the UK, Greece and abroad.

Additional academic partnerships

• European International University (EIU), Paris: a private institution licensed by the French Ministry of Higher Education, accredited by ASIC and recognised by the Business Graduates Association (BGA), ATHEA and the European Council for Business Education (ECBE). Through this partnership, Mediterranean Professional Studies offers internationally recognised Advanced Professional Diploma, Professional Diploma and Executive Diploma certifications across a broad CPD portfolio.
• Pearson: the world's leading certification organisation, supervised by UK Ofqual, SQA Accreditation and CCEA Accreditation. Mediterranean Professional Studies has been a Pearson Approved Training Centre (formerly Edexcel) since 1997, delivering CPD courses under Pearson's Quality Assurance Scheme.
• ABC Awards and Certa Awards: Mediterranean Professional Studies offers Level 5 Higher Professional Diplomas under the European Qualifications Framework through the ABC/Certa Quality License Scheme.

Quality assurance and accreditation

Mediterranean College is subject to quality controls from four distinct bodies, an unusually rigorous multi-layered oversight structure:

• Greek Ministry of Education: the College holds a licence to operate in Athens and Thessaloniki under Law 4093/2012 (License Number: 120863/2-9-13, Government's Gazette 2278/B/12-9-13)
• British Accreditation Council (BAC): a founding member of ENQA (European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education), established in 1984 by the British Council, the QAA, the Council of Validating Universities and the British Universities' Council of Vice-Chancellors. Since 2000, Mediterranean College has been continuously reviewed and accredited by the BAC as an institution providing higher education.
• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA): the UK body responsible for auditing academic standards at universities and colleges. In the most recent QAA audit of transnational education provision in Greece (2015), Mediterranean College and its partner the University of Derby received an outstanding report, commending the two institutions' performance on quality assurance.
• Collaborating universities: under franchise agreements, the partner universities maintain complete control over and responsibility for programme content, teaching, assessment and quality. The degrees awarded to Mediterranean College graduates are recognised in Greece, across the EU and in the broader international academic community.

Degree recognition

Degrees awarded to Mediterranean College graduates by partner universities are fully recognised internationally and professionally equivalent to degrees awarded by Greek state universities. They are also recognised by UK NARIC (now ENIC-NARIC), the national agency for the recognition of international qualifications in the UK. This recognition enables graduates to pursue professional registration in the UK and Greece, and to continue to postgraduate study worldwide.

Schools and academic areas

Mediterranean College delivers programmes across 10 academic schools, covering a wide range of disciplines at both undergraduate and postgraduate level:

• School of Economics and Business
• School of Computing
• School of Engineering
• School of Psychology
• School of Education
• School of Health and Sport Sciences
• School of Shipping
• School of Tourism and Hospitality
• School of Arts and Design
• School of Law and Governance

Leading institutional initiatives

Mediterranean College has established a series of distinctive initiatives that set it apart from other higher education providers in Greece:

• MC Employability Scheme: a holistic programme designed to enhance graduates' readiness for the job market, developed in collaboration with a wide network of industry partners across Greece
• Board of Visitors: an advisory body connecting the College with senior professionals and industry leaders who contribute to the strategic direction of academic programmes
• Annual Learning and Teaching Conference: a forum for academic staff, researchers and education professionals to share best practice and drive pedagogical innovation
• Education Festival: a public event that positions Mediterranean College as an active participant in Greece's broader educational and cultural landscape
• Greece as an International Education Hub initiative: a strategic effort to position Greece and Mediterranean College as a destination for international students
• Sports and Education initiative: linking athletic development with academic achievement
• The Education Awards and Student Excellence Conference: exclusive events recognising outstanding student performance and contribution

Research

Mediterranean College maintains an active research agenda, with academic staff engaged in applied research across business, computing, psychology, engineering, health sciences and education. The College actively develops research relations with national and international academics and institutions, and supports staff development through conference participation, publications and collaborative research projects.

Student support and welfare

Mediterranean College is explicitly student-centred in its approach. A comprehensive suite of support services is available at all campuses to help every student succeed:

• Personal Tutoring: each student is assigned a personal tutor for academic guidance and pastoral support throughout their studies
• Academic Skills Centre: targeted support for study skills, academic writing and research methods
• Counselling Centre: professional psychological support and mental health services
• Language Centre: English language and additional language support for all students
• Learning Support Centre: specialist support for students with learning differences or disabilities
• Career Services: internship placement, career planning and employer connections
• Bursaries and Scholarships: academic and social scholarships to ensure accessibility for students from diverse backgrounds
• International Office: dedicated support for international students, including visa guidance and accommodation assistance
• Alumni Club: a network connecting graduates with each other and with the institution for lifelong professional benefit

Student life

Mediterranean College offers an active student experience beyond the classroom. The Students' Union leads a broad programme of clubs, societies, volunteer opportunities and sporting activities. Students can participate in intercollegiate and recreational sports, community service projects, and a range of cultural and academic events organised throughout the year. Facilities across campuses include libraries with digital and physical resources, IT labs, specialist workshops and laboratories tailored to each school's discipline, and digital learning platforms supporting blended study.

Why Mediterranean College

1. The first Anglophone college in Greece, with nearly 50 years of uninterrupted operation to the standards of UK and US higher education
2. Over 80 programmes across 10 schools, from undergraduate to postgraduate and CPD levels
3. Internationally recognised, UK-awarded degrees that are professionally equivalent to Greek state university degrees and recognised by UK NARIC
4. A multi-layered quality assurance framework including Greek Ministry of Education licensing, BAC accreditation, QAA review and franchise university oversight
5. A primary partnership with the University of Derby, ranked No.1 in Greece across Business, Marketing, Education, Hospitality and Mechanical Engineering
6. A dedicated Employability Scheme backed by an active industry network, supporting students' transition from education to employment
7. Campuses in Athens, Glyfada and Thessaloniki, centrally located and accessible across Greece
8. Comprehensive student welfare services including personal tutoring, counselling, learning support and career services