This is a time of great challenge and change in the counselling sector, yet, for many people, the prospect of a career in counselling and psychotherapy is as attractive as it ever was. The arrival of the Health Professions Council (HPC), and its role in the long-overdue process of regulating the profession, combined with Government initiatives in the movement towards an all-graduate counselling profession, and shifts of emphasis within major organisations such as the NHS are all having a substantial impact on both training and professional practice.

Demand for counselling courses remains both high and vibrant, and our response is to provide a wide range of courses that will cater for all potential students of counselling. Our range of courses is designed to satisfy the following identified groups of potential students:

• People who are not sure if counselling is right for them, or who are merely curious to know more before they make a decision to proceed. To meet this need we have developed a range of short courses, some certificated at Level 1, and some just as ‘interest only’ short courses. These courses last for just a few weeks, normally involving just 2 or 3 hours attendance each week,
• Students who feel they would like to know more, without, at this stage, making a major commitment. For these students we have courses at Level 2 which are designed to give a broad insight into what counselling and psychotherapy are, and to introduce the concepts, models, and approaches used by counsellors. These courses are spread over longer periods, anything from 10 to 20 weeks, but still involve only 2 or 3 hours weekly attendance
• Students who are ready to make a serious commitment to training to become counsellors. This is a major step up – to Level 3 (the equivalent of 3 A Levels), and is designed to begin the process of introducing students to the skills, practices, and knowledge required to provide a solid foundation on which to build future academic and professional training. The course is normally of 1 year’s duration on a full time basis, or 2 years part time. This involves up to 12 hours a week of study, though this is a balanced mix of attendance, private study, practice and reflection.
• Students who have successfully completed Level 3 and are ready to progress to degree-level study and professional training may now enter into the full degree programmes – these can last from 3 to 6 years, and must be completed in order to become registered as a counsellor or psychotherapist. Full time study involves an average of 15 hours a week, though, again, this is a balanced mix of attendance, private study, practice and reflection.
• Qualified counsellors who wish to refresh their existing knowledge and skill, or develop new skills can register for shorter courses in specific areas. This would allow them to take any length of course from 1 module to an intermediate qualification e.g. DipHE, Foundation Degree, HND, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma.
• Top-Up Degrees: Many experienced counsellors, often who have qualified years ago, feel the need to use their existing qualifications and experience to gain a formal degree. Subject to certain criteria, we can give sufficient credit through the mechanisms for APL (Accreditation of Prior Learning) to permit such students to enter directly onto Level 6 – the final year of a degree. This will involve 1 year of study full time or 2 years part time.
• Students wishing to engage in advanced study may be able to enter postgraduate training at Level 7 – e.g. Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or Master’s Degree. Students interested in this option to speak with the relevant Regional Director for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Counselling and Psychotherapy  Courses:

Pre-degree Level:

Counselling and Psychotherapy Courses

Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Concepts:

BTEC Level 2 Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills:

BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Developing Counselling Skills:

Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills:

BTEC Level 3 Award in Working with SUbstance Misuse:

BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Working with Substance Misuse:

Level 4 Diploma in the Theory & Practice of Counselling:

Level 4 Advanced Diploma in the Theory & Practice of Counselling:

BTEC Level 4 Award in Working with Substance Misuse:

BTEC Level 4 Certificate in Working with Substance Misuse:

BTEC Level 5 Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling:

Edexcel Courses in Counselling and Related Subjects:*

BTEC Level 2 Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills:

BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Developing Counselling Skills:

BTEC Level 5 Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling:

BTEC Level 3 Award in Working with Substance Misuse:

BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Working with Substance Misuse:

BTEC Level 4 Award in Working with Substance Misuse:

BTEC Level 4 Certificate in Working with Substance Misuse:

Degree Level: *

BA/BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy

BA/BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy (Level 6 Top-Up)

MA/MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy (CBT)

Programmes currently being developed:

BA (Hons) Pastoral Counselling

BSc (Hons) Pastoral Counselling and Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling

BSc (Hons) Addiction and Dependency Studies

MSc Addiction and Dependency Studies

Planned Developments:

BSc (Hons) Learning Difficulty Studies

BA (Hons) Youth and Community Work

BA (Hons) Social Care with Management

BA (Hons) Community Engagement and Social Inclusion

BA (Hons) Corporate Engagement and Social Responsibility

MA Conflict Resolution

MA Leadership and Management in Youth and Community Work

MSc Psychology and Social Engagement.

Note: Most of our Bachelor’s Degrees incorporate the following intermediate qualifications:

• Graduate Certificate
• Graduate Diploma
• Certificate of Higher Education
• Diploma of Higher Education
• Foundation Degree (Depending on Modules and delivery pattern)
• Ordinary Degree (without Honours)
• Top-up Degree (Level 6 direct entry subject to previous qualifications and appropriate experience)