The course fully embraces a person-centred ethos to develop your skills as a practitioner. The programme will cover: Zeitgeist of Professional Theory & Practice; Self, Group & Difference; Enhancing Practice and Enterprising Practitioner & Professional Enquiry.

Tutorial support will be provided throughout your studies to aid you in completing the assessment criteria to a high standard. In order for you to achieve a well-rounded understanding of the programme, a variety of lecturers, seminars, online discussion forums, presentations, group projects and supervision groups will allow you to gain a range of skills to become an effective practitioner.

The course enables students to undertake reflective practice with academic application. Assessment methods vary and include video and audio recording of counselling practice, video presentations, written assignments and reflective reviews, supervision reports and portfolio evidence.

Awarded by: University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)

Mode of Study: 1 year, full-time 

Tuition Fee: £6000 per year (2024/25)

Important Notice: Tuition fees for Higher Education courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are currently under review.

Location: Preston College, Fulwood Campus

Additional costs: Supervision costs are incurred on this degree with a maximum fee of £40 per hour, with a minimum attendance of 1.5 hours per month. You may wish to purchase a digital voice recorder and choose to pay for personal counselling. In addition, you will be required to pay a Professional Membership Fee and the full cost of obtaining personal, professional indemnity insurance.

Minimum numbers required for this course to run: 12

As a graduate you will have opportunity to access a range of post graduate training and professional development opportunities. You can also progress on to industry employment with the skills and knowledge gained from the course.

Preston College operates a flexible admissions policy, welcoming applicants with a wide range of qualifications and/or experience, with each application assessed on its own merit. 

If this applies to you, we will discuss this with you at the interview stage.

For learners who have recently been in education, we would expect an applicant to have one of the following

Applicants should normally have a Foundation Degree in Counselling, HND, Diploma of Higher Education or equivalent award of 120 level 5 credit points in a cognate subject. Applicants should have formal training in counselling and/or psychotherapy, with a minimum of 100 supervised client hours.

PLUS     

GCSE: English Language at Grade 4 or above (Grade C for GCSEs taken before 2017) or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy are accepted in place of GCSEs.

Other requirements: You will need to demonstrate that you are in current, suitable practice (a reference is required from a clinical supervisor).

IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in each skills area)

Admissions process: All applicants must complete an application form, participate in a group interview and have an enhanced DBS check.

There will be a group interview to assess your interaction with others and your ability to demonstrate the values and qualities necessary in the counselling profession as part of the application process.

International students

You may need to apply for a Tier 4 visa in order to enter and study in the UK. However, please note that Preston College does not hold a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence to support student visa applications.