Liam McCarthy Scholarship 2024

BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy

liaim mccarthy scholarship pci college

 

The Scholarship is awarded as a tribute to Liam McCarthy, who together with Josephine Murphy, founded PCI College in 1991. While Liam is no longer with us, the pioneering work of the College founders to promote high academic standards while making training accessible to all still continues in PCI College today.


This is a unique opportunity to receive substantial financial support for a course that could be the beginning of a new career for one lucky winner. The Scholarship will provide full fees for the successful candidate to complete our BSc (Honours) degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy, beginning in September 2024. The BSc (Honours) course is a four year, part-time honours degree, validated by Middlesex University and it meets the criteria of the IACP for professional accreditation. This scholarship is open to those who have not completed a primary undergraduate degree. By applying for this scholarship, you are giving yourself an opportunity to gain a professional qualification in counselling & psychotherapy through the principle of second-chance education. Applicants need to have successfully completed the Certificate Course in Counselling & Psychotherapy (or similar - 60 Hours) or show evidence of personal development /substantial life experience.



Entry Requirements

 

1. Applicants should possess a maturity to reflect on their own development as a person. 

2. Applicants need to have successfully completed one of the following:

 

Certificate Course in Counselling & Psychotherapy (or similar) - 60 Hours

 

OR

 

Show evidence of personal development /substantial life experience (for e.g., proof of volunteer work, community work, experience of counselling and/or portfolio of prior learning). 

 

3. Applicants must not have a primary degree, as this is a second chance to gain a professional qualification in counselling & psychotherapy.

Application Process

 

1. Entry is by application form, which you can download in the Download section below.

 

2. Applications must include a 1,000 words composition by the applicant entitled: 

 

World Mental Health Day in October 2023 was an opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme ‘Mental health is a universal human right” to improve knowledge, raise awareness, and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right. Please discuss the challenges which prevent good mental health from being accessible to everyone and how counsellors and psychotherapists can play a role in making this goal a reality.

  

3. Applicants must also be nominated by someone within the helping professions (e.g. GP, priest, nurse, guidance counsellor, social worker, counsellor, liaison officer). The applicant’s nominator cannot be a family member or affiliated with PCI College in any way. As part of the application, the nominator is required to submit a 500 words endorsement, outlining why they think the candidate should be awarded the Scholarship. 

4. Applicants must also submit a 500 words written statement on why they think they are deserving of the Liam McCarthy scholarship, as well as their plans for the qualification and their vision for the mental health field in Ireland. 

 

You will need to send the application form, essay, nomination letter and statement, all together via the online form or by email to info@pcicollege.co.uk with the subject line 'Liam McCarthy Scholarship 2024'

Terms & Conditions

 

The purpose of the scholarship is second-chance education and is not open to anyone with a primary degree.

 

The Scholarship covers course fees only and does not cover costs associated with additional course requirements such as Personal Therapy & Supervision. Fees for Supervision and Personal Therapy are decided by negotiation between you and your Supervisor and Therapist. As a guideline, the cost for Supervision and Personal Therapy may both average approximately £60.00 per session.


The College makes every effort to avoid altering course times, course commencement and conclusion dates. However, should any changes be necessary, you will be notified at the earliest opportunity. All courses run subject to demand and the formation of a viable class cohort. Please note that classes may be merged if necessary.


It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that he/she fulfils the minimum entry requirements for a chosen course, and to ensure that the chosen course is suitable for his/her needs and ability level. Students with a disability may require adjustments to facilitate their learning. These adjustments are thoroughly evaluated by PCI College and the principle of creating a level playing field rather than a more favourable position is rigorously observed.


Each application must be accompanied by 1,000-word composition (by the applicant). See title in the Entry Requirements section above.


The applicant must submit a 500-word endorsement (by the nominator) on why they think the candidate should be awarded the scholarship.


The applicant must submit a 500 word written statement on why they think they are deserving of the Liam McCarthy scholarship, as well as their plans for the qualification and their vision for the mental health field in Ireland.

 

The deadline for applications is Sunday 7th of April 2024 at 12:00am. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to be interviewed by a panel of experts.

 

The Scholarship is for entry to Year 1 of the BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy. Students already enrolled in the BSc programme are not eligible to enter.


Applicants are to be nominated by someone within the helping professions e.g. GP, priest, nurse, guidance counsellor, social worker, counsellor, liaison officer.
Nominators cannot be a family members of the applicant or affiliated with PCI College in any way.


The Scholarship and its associated benefits are non-transferable. The award must be used by the winner during the year that it is awarded, e.g. the winner of this year’s Scholarship cannot defer for a year and begin their studies in September 2025, they must begin their studies in September 2024, or else they risk losing their prize.


Applicants must not have a primary degree, as this is a second chance to gain a professional qualification in counselling & psychotherapy.


The Scholarship winner will be agreeing to advocate as a PCI Ambassador, this includes participating in a formal profiling interview, a photo session and attending some PCI Events e.g. open evenings, class visits, conferences and external events.

 

Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

 

A "helping professional" can include, but is not limited to the following:

  • Counsellor / Psychotherapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social worker
  • Career guidance teacher
  • GP
  • Nurse
  • Family support worker
  • Social care worker
  • Liaison officer
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