
Why Now Is The Time to Begin MSc Mindfulness & Compassion
There is a growing awareness of the utility and benefits of mindfulness and compassion across a range of settings and therefore, a recognised demand for suitably qualified teachers. It is important to meet this demand with appropriately validated mindfulness teacher training courses which comply with best practice across the UK and overseas.
This is the first post graduate course of its kind in the south of England. The University of West Scotland London campus provides the perfect location coupled with its flexible learning approach. There is also the opportunity to study online.
Affordable
Competitively priced, this course is affordable, with the lower costs of education in Scotland and is payable in instalments.
Unique Opportunity
This post graduate programme is the only one in the UK providing a Mindfulness teacher training and a Compassion teacher training with an academic qualification.
8 Week Mindful Based Living Course
One of the requirements of this Masters Degree is to have completed an 8 week Mindfulness Based Course. Join our 8 week Mindfulness Based Living Course starting Mid October. Write to info@mindfulnessassociation.net for more information and to book the course.
Learn More
More information can be found on the University of West Scotland website, including how to apply.

This is an exciting partnership between the Mindfulness Association and the University of the West of Scotland, which will be taught at their London campus and online
The course has three key aims:
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To provide students with the psychological context to evaluate and critically reflect on Mindfulness
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To equip students to teach mindfulness and compassion
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To qualify students to register on the UK Listing of Mindfulness teachers
Whilst learning to research and teach mindfulness and compassion you will develop your understanding of the relationship between psychology and neuroscience, mindfulness and compassion and also develop and deepen your own practice, which can prove to be transformational and life changing.
Throughout the course you will develop evidence-based knowledge of psychological wellbeing, biological psychology and consciousness and the relationship of these concepts to mindfulness and compassion. You will frequently reflect on the links between these concepts and your own teaching and practice.
Testimonials & Reviews
“The MSc gave me the ability to think about mindfulness in a theoretical way. The exploration of practices at a deep level and then having to write and journal created an amazing rich space of learning”
“Amazing sense of community. Really grown together. Wonderful journey”
“Working alongside like-minded people and having support of group. Materials easy to work with which allowed for automatic unfolding”
“I had mindfulness practice for long time but what was new for me was the approach and compassion. That’s why I chose MA because I wanted to study mindfulness, but mindfulness is just part of the big picture. Compassion was transformative for me”
“Practicing mindfulness for a few years and needed more structure and support to expand and understand my practice. Wanted to take practice to another level. In my work I wanted the credibility of having a degree. Real strong link with professional context”
“I had a good practice – interested in using mindfulness in my life and profession. I didn’t want to go the clinical route and recognised how important compassion is. Life changing. Much surer practice, brought me home to my body and a network of relationships that are most precious in my life”
“Studying with the Mindfulness Association at post graduate level gave me the interest and confidence to do the teacher training. Practice has been transformational. People I have met are wonderful. Confidence and belief I could do it”
Studies in Mindfulness - MSc
PG Cert. Psychology and Mindfulness
Year 1 includes a first module on Mindfulness Practice and Psychological Wellbeing and a second module on Teaching Mindfulness and Research. At the end of this students exit with a Post Graduate Certificate and be qualified to integrate short mindfulness sessions into their existing work with clients
Module 1 – Mindfulness practice and psychological wellbeing
In this module students will review the concepts of mindfulness from both practice and academic perspectives. The module combines an introduction to the Mindfulness Based Living Course (MBLC) that the participants, on graduating, will be able to teach the themselves. There is also an introduction to psychology and research enquiry. Aspects of Health Psychology will be central to this including topics such as stress and wellbeing. Students will also be required to engage critically with the relevant research literature.
Module 2 – Mindfulness teaching and Research
The module covers two key domains of mindfulness teaching – guiding Mindfulness practice and conveying course themes through interactive enquiry. Students are introduced to generic mindfulness teaching skills by guiding short core practices and leading interactive enquiry after the practices. The module includes an introduction to research methodology (quantitative and qualitative methods) to allow students to engage critically with literature including research on teaching Mindfulness. The relationship between behaviour and biological processes (Biological Psychology ) is explored and will enhance students understand of approaches to research and data collecting. This will be integrated with the development of research methods.
A mid year retreat will be held over the summer – between a first semester starting January and a second semester starting September.
PG Dip. Mindfulness and Compassion
Year 2 includes a third module on Mindfulness Teaching, Cognition and Consciousness and a fourth module on Teaching Compassion and the Research Process. At the end of this students exit with a Post Graduate Diploma and be qualified to teach the eight week Mindfulness Based Living Course (MBLC) and the eight week Compassion Based Living Course (CBLC) to groups.
Module 3 – Mindfulness teaching, cognition and consciousness
Students are introduced to a range of aspects of Cognitive Psychology (e.g. attention, memory, meta cognition) and review aspects of mindfulness within this framework. The module will allow students to explore aspects of cognition and consciousness and ground this within psychology theory.
This module introduces students to skills required to teach the MBLC curriculum and gives the participants the opportunity to lead sessions and observe the delivery of the MBLC curriculum. Training involves reflective practice based on feedback from self, peers and tutors. Students will learn to give feedback within the framework of the six domains of the Mindfulness Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI-TAC).
Module 4 – Teaching Compassion and the research process
This module introduces the students to the skills required to deliver the Compassion Based Life Course (CBLC). Training involves reflective practice based on feedback from peers and tutors. Students will learn to give feedback within the framework of the six domains of the Mindfulness Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI-TAC).
The module will provide students with the opportunity to develop their research and critical evaluation skills. A key activity will be the completion of a research project. The project will allow students to develop their understanding of research methods within a psychological framework. This will underpin student’s development toward their final master’s dissertation.
A mid year week long retreat provides the opportunity to consolidate practice and academic learning. Completion of a residential week is a pre-requisite for students wishing to be registered on the BAMBA UK Listing of Mindfulness teachers.
Between modules 3 and 4 students will teach a first MBLC course (with journalling and supervision) to clients and this course will be the focus of their research activity in year 2.
M.Sc. Mindfulness and Compassion
Year 3 includes a fifth module on Assessed Practice and Research Project. At the end of this students exit with a Masters degree in Mindfulness and Compassion, including an assessment of their competency in teaching the MBLC and will have completed all the prerequisites to join the UK Listing of Mindfulness Teachers.
Module 5 – Assessed Practice and Research Project/Dissertation
This final module brings together the practice and academic learning from the previous modules by integrating the development of training and critical evaluation skills. Students will be required to identify a research project and will be supported by their supervisor in data gathering/analysis, ethical clearance and the production of a final report.
During T1 and T2 students will be required to demonstrate the development of their practice in accordance with the Mindfulness Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI-TAC) (Crane et al, 2012). Students will deliver a second MBLC course to their client group during this course, keeping a Mindfulness teaching journal, engaging in weekly group supervision with an approved supervisor and videoing designated sessions of the course for assessment. Student will be required to critically reflect on group dynamics, relational skills and maintaining the group learning environment.
A mid year retreat will be held over the summer.
More on the MSc
What Research Tells Us
Evidence suggests that practicing Mindfulness reduces stress, increases focus and improves emotion regulation. Furthermore, practitioners can experience an increase in emotional intelligence, physical wellbeing and resilience in the face of life’s challenges. Studies also reveal that Mindfulness improves expressions of creativity.
A Mindfulness practice applied in the workplace can assist in reducing stress and sick days taken and enhance quality of life. Furthermore, evidence suggests that Mindfulness in the workplace increases our communication and interaction with others, improves focus and enhances creativeness.
Whilst we might emphasise that a course of Mindfulness studies is not a replacement for therapy or counselling*, a Mindfulness practice certainly does increase overall wellbeing.
Key Benefits
- Develop a stable mindfulness and practice with a natural progression into teacher training.
- Deepen your knowledge of mindfulness and compassion – its evidence base and areas of application and critiques
- Lean how to critically reflect and evaluate the concepts of mindfulness and its implications for society.
- Learn to teach the MBLC and CBLC courses to groups and to meet the requirements listed on the UK Listing of Mindfulness Teachers
Other Benefits
- We have a strong collaboration with the University of the West of Scotland and benefit from their LONDON campus.
- The programme with the University of West Scotland is affordable.
- The Mindfulness Association has over 10 years of experience of delivering courses in the UK and Europe.
- All our tutors are very experienced and knowledgeable compassion-based mindfulness and practitioners.
- We have a membership providing our practitioners with ongoing support.
- Our tutors and courses comply with guidelines set by the British Association for Mindfulness-based Approaches (BAMBA) who oversee the quality of mindfulness-based training in the UK.
If you have recently received or are currently receiving treatment from a psychiatrist, psychotherapist or counsellor for an ongoing mental health problem, we strongly advise that you obtain advice from your mental health professional before proceeding further with mindfulness training at this time.
Also, if you have recently or are currently going through a traumatic life event such as a separation from a long-term partner, the death of a close family member or friend or redundancy this may not be the best time for you to start a mindfulness course.
You can join this MSc programme if you have the following:
- An Honours degree or a bachelor’s degree with significant and relevant experience.
- Completion of an eight-week mindfulness course, or equivalent, which is listed on the British Association for Mindfulness Based Approaches (BAMBA) Guidelines for Mindfulness Teachers within the five years preceding admission. Join this 8 week Mindfulness Based Living Course starting mid-October. Email info@mindfulnessassociation.net for more information and the booking link.
- English language proficiency is also a requirement
How Do I Find Out More?
For more information on the MSc Mindfulness and Compassion please write to info@mindfulnessassociation.net
The MBLC and CBLC courses are designed for the general public and so are not specific to a particular setting, such as health care. Therefore, the course is appropriate for graduates or those with equivalent professional experience from all backgrounds and who are interested in developing their own personal mindfulness and compassion practice and training to teach according to best practice in the UK as set out in the British Association for Mindfulness Based Approaches (BAMBA) Guidelines for Mindfulness Teachers.
The programme is part time over three years and so suitable for those who are in employment as well as those who are not. The course will be located in the London campus making it easily accessible for overseas students and residents in the South of England. The MBLC and CBLC courses are designed for the general public and so are not specific to a particular setting, therefore, the course is appropriate for graduates or those with equivalent professional experience from all backgrounds and who are interested in developing their own personal mindfulness and compassion practice and training to teach according to best practice in the UK as set out in the UK Good Practice Guidelines for Mindfulness Teachers.
Course Information
The degree integrates mindfulness training programmes with an academic underpinning, drawing mainly on psychology, that will allow students to critically reflect and evaluate the concepts of mindfulness and its implications for society. The degree integrates well-established Training programmes – ‘Mindfulness Based Living Course’ (MBLC) and ‘Compassion Based Living Course’ (CBLC) – that have been developed by the Mindfulness Association CIC with academic training in critical reflection and critical analysis.
The MSc will develop skills of critical reflection on experience of Mindfulness and Compassion practice and of Mindfulness and Compassion teaching practice with respect to the extensive literature and evidence base in the field of Mindfulness and Compassion. Students will contextualise and evaluate this material by drawing on research approaches within psychology. The degree will provide students with training in research methodology and practical research skills.
Completion of the degree will enable graduates to teach the MBLC and CBLC courses to groups and to meet the requirements to be listed on the UK Listing of Mindfulness Teachers. This post graduate programme will be the only one in the UK providing a Mindfulness teacher training and a Compassion teacher training.
Next cohort for 2024 – dates to be arranged. Contact info@mindfulnessassociation for further information.
The course is delivered over weekends at the LONDON campus of the University of West Scotland or Online. With London being a travel hub for both the UK and overseas, it is highly accessible for everyone.
The mid-year retreats will be held at Samye Ling in Scotland with an option to attend online.
CAREER PROSPECTS
This course is designed to enable graduates to become teachers of mindfulness and compassion. Graduates will be able to join the UK Listing of Mindfulness Teachers administered by the British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches. Graduates may wish to use their skills in a range of settings including:
- Teaching Mindfulness and/or Compassion privately or on a free-lance basis
- Join or establish community interest or enterprise companies through which they may deliver teaching
- Deliver mindfulness or compassion training within their current workplace,
- Seek new employment opportunities where they can make an evidence-based contribution to the health and wellbeing of staff.
The Mindfulness Association
Our mindfulness courses provide an in-depth, personal, experiential practice of mindfulness that are part of a lifelong journey. We learn how to be present, respond with compassion and see deeply into our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This three-tiered approach enables you to embody your practice as a way of life. We also provide:
- Mindfulness teacher training
- Compassion teacher training
- Annual mindfulness practice retreats
- The opportunity to study mindfulness in depth on the MSc Studies in Mindfulness in partnership with The University of Aberdeen and The MSc Mindfulness & Compassion in partnership with The University of West Scotland.
- Weekend workshops for Continued Professional Development for Mindfulness teachers.
You may be a beginner or have practiced mindfulness with another organisation. Either way we have courses to offer you.
Our training is based on the work of Rob Nairn. Rob is one of the world pioneers in presenting meditation training in a way that is accessible to the Western mind. He was asked to teach meditation by the Dalai Lama. His experience of over forty years of teaching meditation to Westerners has enabled him to develop a unique secular training in mindfulness, and so the Mindfulness Association was created to support this.
We are one of the top mindfulness training providers in the UK. We have been delivering 100s of compassion-based mindfulness meditation courses over 10 years across the UK and Europe.
All our courses are secular and draw from a broad range of disciplines, including neuroscience, evolutionary psychology and Buddhism.
The Mindfulness Association has 10 years of experience of delivering courses in the UK and Europe.
All our tutors are very experienced and knowledgeable compassion-based mindfulness and practitioners.
We have a membership providing our practitioners with ongoing support.
Our tutors and courses comply with the UK Network for Mindfulness-Based Teacher Training Organisations – now BAMBA who oversee the quality of mindfulness-based training in the UK.
After completing this course you will be able to attend:
- Courses for Mindfulness Teachers Continued Professional Development (CPD)
- Insight Training – Level 3 – Seeing Deeply
- Mindfulness for Life Programme.
The Mindfulness Association are committed to supporting your mindfulness practice for life.