Liam McCarthy Scholarship
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. 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.
Each application must include:
- A 1,000-word essay responding to the set theme. This year’s title: “The theme of World Mental Health Day this year is ‘Access to Mental Health Services in Catastrophes and Emergencies’. Discuss the psychological impacts of crises and explore the role of counselling and psychotherapy in responding to humanitarian emergencies, both in the short and long term.”
- A 500-word endorsement from the nominator explaining why the applicant should be awarded the scholarship
- A 500-word personal statement outlining why the applicant is deserving of the scholarship, their career plans, and their vision for the mental health field in Ireland
Application deadline: 24 March 2026
Previous Winners
Terms and Conditions
The purpose of the scholarship is second-chance education and is not open to anyone with a primary degree in any field of study.
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 a 1,000-word composition (by the applicant). This year’s essay title is:
“The theme of World Mental Health Day this year is ‘Access to Mental Health Services in Catastrophes and Emergencies’. Discuss the psychological impacts of crises and explore the role of counselling and psychotherapy in responding to humanitarian emergencies, both in the short and long term.”
- 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 24th March 2026 at 11.59 pm. 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 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 2027; they must begin their studies in September 2026, 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, which 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
Please note that applying for the Liam McCarthy Scholarship does not count as an application for PCI College’s BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy. If your application for the Liam McCarthy Scholarship is unsuccessful, but you still wish to apply for the BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy programme, you will need to reapply here: BSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy – PCI College.