University scrap counselling course as it ‘doesn’t make enough money’

Right before Mental Health Awareness week


The university have taken the decision to cut its MA course in Counselling, instead replacing it with research-led teaching.

The announcement was made to students and lecturers on the course, which ended on Wednesday, and will not be returning next year, after 35 years.

Students on the course were told that it was being scrapped as it “didn’t make enough money”, and are furious about the decision.

The announcement has caused a stir on social media

However, the uni has not officially responded to these assertions officially, with a spokesman simply explaining that: “After careful consideration the decision was made in September, 2014 to stop admitting new students to the MA Counselling programme.

“This was linked to the Manchester Institute of Education’s commitment to focus upon research-led teaching and an associated consolidation of its contribution to the counselling profession around its doctoral programme in Counselling Psychology.”

Because of recent mental health cuts, students are also concerned that measures such as this could be extremely damaging, as the course provides many volunteers free of charge to locations all over Manchester.

One MA Counselling student spoke to the MEN: “We were told that our course doesn’t bring in enough money through research.

“It’s really sad that it has all come down to money rather than providing something positive to the community.

“At a time of cuts in mental health services in Manchester, we feel it could be a big loss to Manchester.

“There are a lot of people who can’t afford private counselling and rely on voluntary support.”