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Humanistic Counselling (Top-up) at University of Portsmouth - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

University of Portsmouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

7Dec
University of Portsmouth Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

If you have a DipHE in counselling (or an equivalent Level 5 counselling qualification), you can top it up to a Bachelor's degree on this 1-year course. You'll build on the counselling skills (100 hours completed by the end of L5) and interpersonal abilities you gained in your previous studies by developing knowledge in advanced humanistic counselling skills. You'll learn the latest trends and developments within humanistic counselling theory and apply them to your practice, with professional development support in the form of discussion focus hubs, supervision and networking. You'll also complete a research project on a topic that aligns with your interests and ambitions. When you complete the course, you could work as a humanistic counsellor in areas such as education, the police service, the prison service and the voluntary sector. The advanced skills and practitioner experience you gain will allow you to work with a wider variety of clients with more complex needs. Alternative courses You can specialise in other types of counselling and therapy on our BSc (Hons) Gestalt Counselling and BSc (Hons) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy top-up degrees. Location This course takes place at South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus. While studying here, you can access the University's student support services and community including study support, the Students’ Union and our library's online resources. What you'll experience On this course you'll:

  • Learn advanced humanistic counselling skills, building on the knowledge you developed during your DipHE
  • Develop advanced research skills on a research project that aligns with your interests and career ambitions
  • Apply your knowledge and skills with at least 100 hours of supervised counselling on a placement in the community
  • Learn from experienced, industry-trained staff who've worked in organisations or run their own private practices
  • Build a foundation to help work towards a further professional accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) following completion of the course
  • Develop transferable skills you can apply in all aspects of your life and career in areas such as problem solving, communication, group working, planning, effective feedback and IT
  • Study at South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus with access to University of Portsmouth support and services
  • Apply for membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and get access to member resources including journal subscriptions, free courses and job boards
Careers and opportunities Events such as the coronavirus pandemic and increased awareness in society about mental health have increased the demand for counselling and therapy services. As a humanistic counsellor, you can have a significant positive impact on people's health and wellbeing, and help take the pressure off other health services such as GPs and hospitals. Public, private and charity sector settings you could work in after the course include:
  • Education
  • Alcohol and drug services
  • Eating disorder services
  • Mental health services
  • GPs
  • Police and prison services

Modules

Core modules Core modules in this year include:

  • Humanistic Advanced Counselling Skills (40 credits)
  • Professional Practice Placement (40 credits)
  • Research Project (40 credits)
There are no optional modules in this year. Changes to course content: We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies. Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.

Assessment method

On this counselling diploma, you'll be assessed through:

  • Essays
  • Live skills assessments (role play scenarios)
  • Individual and group presentations
  • Portfolios of evidence
  • Case studies
  • Personal learning journals
  • Professional requirements (a 'Fitness to Practice' assessment)
  • Supervised work-based learning
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. Feedback is central to this course. You'll get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future, as well as on your application for the 'Fitness to Practice' assessment. You'll also practice giving feedback during live skills assessments, where you'll receive feedback from your peers, as well as the assessment tutor.

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

This course is available to EU and International applicants who do not require a Student Route Visa

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Successful completion of the DipHE in Counselling in a relevant counselling discipline area.

Additional entry requirements

Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)

Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before starting the course.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
PTE Academic62An overall score of 62 with a minimum of 59 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)7979 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.
Trinity ISEPassTrinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

EU £9535 Year 1
England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
International £19200 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship Placement Year and Year abroad (at the time of publishing for 2024/25): UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 EU – £1,385 (including Transition Scholarship) International (Non-EU) – £2,875. Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice. All fees are subject to annual increase. For more information about fees, go to port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs
Humanistic Counselling (Top-up) at University of Portsmouth - UCAS