Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity Bursary Scheme
Applications are now closed for 2026. Applications will reopen in January 2027.
What is the PCI College Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity Bursary Scheme?
The PCI College Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Bursary Scheme has been developed to help facilitate greater diversity within the field of Counselling and Psychotherapy. The College recognises that many groups are underrepresented within the profession. As part of its commitment to creating a more diverse and inclusive student body, the College has developed this scheme in response to both societal need and direct feedback from its student body.
The purpose of this bursary scheme is to create a pathway for applicants who might not otherwise be able to complete a course in this area. PCI College aims to help provide improved opportunities for individuals from underrepresented groups in the field and, in doing so, to increase the diversity of those with qualifications in counselling and psychotherapy.
The scheme will provide a 50% reduction in learner tuition fees for the entirety of their studies.
The application process opens annually from January 1st to March 31st, with any applications received after this deadline not typically being considered.
Who is eligible to apply for this Bursary Scheme?
Applicants are welcome if they self-identify as being from a minority group within the field of counselling and psychotherapy in Ireland; candidates may come from groups including, but not limited to, those based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or other minority status within the field in Ireland. All applicants will need to complete an application form as outlined below.
Applicants who apply for a course that is subject to Garda Vetting must be successfully vetted at the beginning of the course for the offer of the Bursary to remain valid. PCI College reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a Bursary in cases where the learner fails to meet the required Garda Vetting requirements for their chosen course of study.
All applicants who apply for the Bursary Scheme must also pass all course entry criteria that may include an intake interview and, in certain circumstances, require either existing qualifications or relevant life experience to be considered for the course they have applied for. Applicants should carefully study the course criteria they are applying for before submitting their application, and contact the PCI College admissions team if they are unsure if they meet the entry criteria for their chosen course of study.
What PCI College Courses are eligible for the Bursary Scheme?
- Certificate Counselling & Psychotherapy
- BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy
- MSc Addiction Counselling & Psychotherapy
- ​​MSc Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy
- MSc Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (QQI Special Purpose Award)
PCI College will normally offer between one to two bursaries per academic year. Bursaries may be offered on any of the courses listed above.
How are applications considered, and when will the successful candidates be announced?
Applicants will be assessed on the quality of their application, the strength of their personal statement, their financial need, and the applicant’s ability to act as an advocate for an underrepresented community within the field of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
The successful applicants will be announced in Late April or Early May. Each Applicant will be required to pass an interview for their chosen course of study if they have not done so by the time they have been awarded the bursary. Once the Bursary is awarded, the applicant will be expected to complete the interview process within two weeks of the notification of the award.
Terms and Conditions
- The 50% reduction in tuition fees will be applied to course tuition fees only. Any modules where the learner fails and requires resitting will not be subject to this reduction.
- The Bursary is awarded to the successful individual only and for the course applied for, it is not transferable to any other course or individual.
- The learner must be able to make payment of the remaining 50% of fees within the timeframe as dictated by PCI College. Failure to pay fees may result in the withdrawal of the Bursary scheme by PCI College.
- The successful Bursary recipient will be required to act as an ambassador for PCI College, which may include attending college promotional events and or providing testimonials on behalf of PCI College.
- Where a course does not recruit a viable cohort of students, you will be offered the opportunity to defer the Bursary to the next available intake of the course.
- The college reserves the right to withdraw the bursary if, during the course of their studies, the recipient of the bursary is found guilty of an offence that is deemed serious academic or clinical misconduct.
- If a learner is withdrawn and later re-enters the programme, the bursary shall not apply to the new enrolment on the programme of study
- All other general terms and conditions as outlined in the terms and conditions section on the PCI College website apply to the offer of a course of study.