Graduate Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy

International students who speak English as an additional language must meet the minimum English language entry requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.  

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic Test is the preferred English language proficiency qualification, but the University may accept other evidence of proficiency in English in individual cases. All submitted test results must be from the one sitting.  

Note: International students who successfully complete an Australian Year 12 qualification with a passing grade (or above) in a recognised English as a Second Language or English language subject will automatically meet the English language entry requirements.   

View entry requirements for more information. 

The Casper is an online, open-response test administered by Acuity Insights that takes 65-85 minutes to complete. It presents real-world scenarios and asks how you would respond – and why. It assesses not just your academic ability but also the personal and professional qualities essential for success in people-centred professions. All applicants must register and take the Casper test as part of the application process. 

Test dates are available each month and can be viewed on the Acuity Insights dates and times page. For the September round, you may take the test in the available test dates from April – August. For the November round, you may select any test date available.

It will normally take two weeks after each test date for the results to be finalised by Acuity Insights. This will ensure Acuity Insights has time to process and supply your results to Adelaide University before application close. Your results will be provided directly to Adelaide University.

Register for your test at least three days before your preferred test date to allow time to perform a system requirements check and take the sample test in your account. Last-minute bookings are not recommended. See key dates. 

All international applicants – including those already studying in Australia – must apply via the International Application System. If you are applying through an Education Agent, they will apply on your behalf. 

Applications must be submitted before the International Application System closes. Please refer to the key dates for details. 

If you are applying through an Education Agent, they are responsible for ensuring your application is complete and all required documents are submitted on time. Missing preferences or incorrect documentation will not be grounds for appeal. 

Invitations to attend an interview will be extended based on your performance on the Casper. 

In September or November (depending on which round you apply for) you will receive an email from Adelaide University. This email will be sent to the email address provided in the International Application System. See key dates for more information.   

 If you are not invited for an interview, your application will not progress and you are encouraged to action your back-up plans. 

If you are eligible for an interview, you will be prompted to choose an interview timeslot from the booking calendar. Timeslots will be offered on a first come, first served basis. Please ensure you enter correct details (including your name, date of birth, etc.) when booking your interview.  

All interviews are conducted via Zoom. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are available during the nominated times, as interviews will not be conducted outside the scheduled dates. 

You can cancel and reschedule your interview in the booking calendar while the booking system is open. Requests for interviews outside of available options will not be accommodated. Once the booking system is closed, any requests to be reschedule will not be considered.

If you experience any issues with accessing the booking system, please contact admissionscentral@adelaideuni.edu.au straight away, while the booking system is still open. Ensure you include all relevant information, including your full name, summary of the issue, and relevant screenshots and/or supporting documentation. 

You should receive a booking confirmation and Zoom link within 24 hours of booking. If you have not received the booking confirmation or your Zoom link, please check your spam folder before contacting the above email. We will not be able to provide this information during the interview period.  

All interview timeslots will be scheduled in Adelaide time. It is important that you are aware of any time differences from your location to the time zone shown in the booking confirmation. Arriving late due to a time zone miscalculation or other reasons is not grounds for rescheduling or appeal. If you arrive late for your interview, your application will not progress further.  

Requests to reschedule due to medical or compassionate circumstances can be made to admissionscentral@adelaideuni.edu.au for consideration within 24 hours of the original interview. Supporting documentation is required. Requests on behalf of an applicant will not be considered. 

If a request to reschedule is approved, applicants will be rescheduled into any available timeslot within the scheduled interview period only. Once an interview has been rescheduled, no further rescheduling will be approved.  

Only those who are invited to book and subsequently attend their interview will remain in consideration for an offer into the degree. 

Please note: All notification emails are sent to the email address listed on your application. Adelaide University cannot be held responsible if your email provider filters the University’s emails into spam, junk or other folders. Check your email settings to ensure you will receive University emails. If you unsubscribe from University emails, or your email address is invalid, Adelaide University cannot be held responsible. Appeals for late bookings due to email notification issues will not be considered. 

Please allow up to one hour to complete the process which includes registration and an optional exit survey.

The interview duration is around 15 minutes.

Applicants will be interviewed by at least two interviewers who hold qualifications in the relevant area of counselling and/or psychotherapeutic practice.

Preparing for the interview  

When you book your interview, you will receive information about the interview process, including your obligations. These include ensuring that you are in a private location, not communicating in any way with another person during the interview and not taking or accessing any form of notes (physical or electronic) during the interview.  Additionally, you will not be permitted to use generative Artificial Intelligence tools for any aspect of the interview process.

If you breach any of the interview conditions, your interview may be cancelled, and you will be ineligible for an offer into the degree.  

You are encouraged to prepare for the interview but are discouraged from reciting rehearsed responses. ‘Rehearsed’ replies, rather than ‘natural’ responses, can diminish your overall performance.  

The interviews are reviewed after each cycle and the content and conduct of interviews may change from one year to the next. Adelaide University does not endorse any commercially available interview preparation courses.  

Ranking for offers is based on a combination of scores from these two components:

• Interview performance 
• Casper Situational Judgement Test (CSJT). 

Offers to successful applicants will be made via our International Application System.

If you applied through an agent, your offer will be forwarded to the agent’s email address submitted in your application. 

To accept your offer, you must return the required acceptance payment and documents before the acceptance closing dates specified in your offer letter.

Adelaide University reserves the right to make offers outside of the advertised offer rounds, and to conduct additional interview rounds if required. Offers will continue to be released until all places are filled, which may extend until week four of the first semester. Feedback on your performance and overall ranking will not be released by the University. Information regarding applicants and their applications is confidential and will not be released to an advocate of the applicant, whether family or friends. Appeals on behalf of an applicant will not be considered.  

To secure your place in this program, you must enrol in all first-year courses by the deadline stated in your offer letter. Information regarding enrolment will be provided once offers are made.