Liam McCarthy Scholarship

We are delighted to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Liam McCarthy Scholarship for courses beginning Sept 2013.

The winning applicant will receive Full Fees for our Middlesex University BSc(Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy.

Remarkably it was indeed back in 1991 that our pioneering co-founders Liam McCarthy, sadly no longer with us, and Josephine Murphy founded the Personal Counselling Institute (now PCI College). This was a time when mental health was not on the political, media or public agenda in Ireland. Their ground-breaking work helped begin the process of the counselling/psychotherapy profession being seen on an equal footing with other professions. 20 years on, we at PCI College continue with our founders pioneering work by embracing the continued raising of academic standards while still making training as accessible as possible and by continuing to set a high standard of personal development in training.

We believe that the introduction of this annual Scholarship is a fitting tribute to Liam. He was a man who believed passionately in personal development, and he knew that continuing, adult education could be a central element in that development for many people. One of his visions was to open up third level education to a wider pool of mature students, who might not have otherwise seen themselves as getting a degree. Liam was also known for maintaining high academic standards, and he set that standard by his own example. He also believed in providing students with a broad education in what is after all a very broad field. The degree he designed, and which Middlesex University validated, is therefore characterised by an integrative approach to counselling & psychotherapy training, introducing students to all the main schools, as well as to important topics such as Abnormal Psychology, Loss & Grief, Substance Addictions. Moreover, the Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy which is awarded after Year 3, fully meets the training requirements of the IACP.

If you would like to apply or nominate someone for this wonderful opportunity, please fill out the application form. (now closed)

This application form is to be supplemented by a 1000 word essay by the applicant entitled “Counsellors & Psychotherapists have a key role in reducing stigma surrounding Mental Health issues - Discuss”. The nominator must also submit a 500 word endorsement on why they think the candidate should be awarded the scholarship. A selection of applicants will be chosen to be interviewed by a panel of experts. The deadline for applications is the 28th Feb 2013.


PCI College President

Terms & Conditions

• The Scholarship is for people starting at Certificate Level or Year 1 of the BSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy. Students already enrolled in the BSc programme and Upgrade Students are not entitled to enter.
• Applicants must be over 23 and are to be nominated by someone within the helping professions.
• Applicants can select a helping professional of their choice to nominate them. The nominator cannot be the applicant themselves or a family member.
• Each application must be accompanied by 1000 word essay by the applicant entitled “Counsellors & Psychotherapists have a key role to play in reducing the stigma surrounding Mental Health issues—Discuss” 
• The nominator must also submit a 500 word endorsement on why they think the candidate should be awarded the scholarship.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to be interviewed by a panel of experts.
• Deadline for applications is 28th February 2013
• The Scholarship covers Course fees only and does not cover costs associated with additional course requirements such as Personal Therapy & Supervision

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