You will study 120 credits per year as you explore a range of modules, including:

Year 1

• Introduction to clinical practice
• Introduction to self-awareness
• Theoretical concepts of person-centred therapy
• Academic skills for Counsellors
• Professional and ethical practice

Year 2

• Advancing clinical practice
• Developing self-awareness
• Mental health and developments within the person-centred approach
• Developing ways of working with client issues in counselling and psychotherapy
• Research in counselling and psychotherapy

This degree adopts a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, tutorial and online learning via the virtual learning environment, Canvas.

You will also be required to participate in reflective workshops, undertake placement hours, role-play and work both independently and in groups.

Formative assessment is embedded throughout the programme with each module employing a maximum of two summative assessments. Assessment methods vary from module to module but typically include essay-based assessments, presentations, completion of placement hours and videos.

An additional mandatory part of this degree is the undertaking of a minimum 100 hours of clinical work placement, 15 hours of voluntary placement work and a minimum of 10 hours of personal counselling. All clinical work must be overseen by a certified supervisor. You are also required to attend a mandatory residential weekend, enhancing and supporting both learning and personal practice.

Awarded by: University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)

Mode of Study: 2 years, 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 (except placement, personal counselling sessions and residential).

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.

Course residential weekend - approx. £300

Additional requirements: A group interview, to assess your interaction with others and your ability to demonstrate the values and qualities necessary in the counselling profession is required, as is an enhanced DBS check.

Minimum numbers required for this course to run: 12

Successful completion of this Foundation degree will allow you to practice as a counsellor. Many of our graduates have progressed into work within private practice or roles within the NHS, probation service or charities.

Upon successful completion of the Foundation degree, you may also choose to develop your skills further by progressing onto the BSc (Hons) Person Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy (Top-Up) degree at Preston College, awarded by UCLan. To progress, a further application needs to be made.

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. We also recognise prior learning/attainment (RPL) and experience, meaning it may be possible to map some of your existing qualifications against the modules for the FdA Person Centred Counselling and Psychology qualification.

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

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

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.