University of Worcester and Herefordshire & Ludlow College.
Key Facts
Level: 4 & 5
Attendance: Full-time (one day per week, plus a day per week for work based placement)
Duration: Two years
Location: HLC Hereford Campus
Application:UCAS course code B941 campus code C
Course Intro
This course provides rigorous training that affords entry into the counselling profession. Its major strength is its close collaboration with counselling agencies/employers in the development of counselling practice opportunities. The course design takes full account of the core competency requirements contained in the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy’s Core Curriculum and takes a Person-Centred approach as its core model. Academic skills and personal development work reflect this emphasis, encouraging students to develop as reflective practitioners, who seek to offer a therapeutic relationship which fosters client change and development. One day a week is spent in college and another two days a week in related work-based activity and study. The Foundation Degree in Counselling totals 240 credits: 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at Level 5. Students who do not complete the programme, but obtain 120 credits at Level 4 may be awarded a Certificate in Higher Education.
Course Content
Year 1 (Level 4 Modules)
- Person-Centred Approaches in Counselling
- Social Political and Cultural Context of Counselling
- Human Growth and Development
- Personal and Professional Development 1 (double module)
- Independent Work-based Learning 1 (double module)
- Comparative Theoretical Approaches
- Counselling for Loss and Grief
Year 2 (Level 5 Modules)
- Introduction to Counselling Research
- Developing the Skills of Person-centred Counselling
- Personal and Professional Development 2
- Introduction to Counselling Ethics and the Law Relating to Counselling
- Work-based Learning 2
Assessment
Assessment is through academic, experiential and workbased assignments/projects. There is a formal assessment of counselling skills at the end of each year.
Entry Requirements
A Level 3 qualification in Counselling Skills (minimum of 120 hours tuition, which includes both theory and skills) or BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Counselling and passes at 9–4 (A*–C) in five GCSE subjects, including English Language or equivalent. The method of teaching is varied and will involve experiential as well as didactic teaching and learning.
Progression
The course will place you in an excellent position to meet possible training requirements for counsellor registration. This course can help you obtain employment in a variety of settings such as schools and colleges, the NHS, different counselling agencies (e.g. bereavement, alcohol) and private practice. The qualification may also enhance possibilities for development in an existing role. Existing students also have the opportunity to access the new Integrative Counselling BA (Hons) Top-Up course.
Course Fees
£9,250.00 per year University of Worcester fees policy applies. All fees are subject to change and are approximate; please check with the relevant provider.
Additional costs
- DBS – £44 Update service £13 per annum
- Personal Therapy 20 hours (per year) – £800
- Counselling Supervision Second year only – £400 – £600
- Indemnity Insurance Second year only – £80 – £150
- BACP student membership – £82 per annum, reduced rate £41 (available for those receiving certain state benefits or have no personal income, conditions apply)
