Course summary

Counselling provides clients with a safe, confidential space to explore personal challenges through talking therapy with a trained professional. This practice-based course prepares you with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to become an ethical and reflective counsellor. Through hands-on learning, you’ll develop cultural awareness and relational insights, completing 100 clinical hours to be eligible to independently apply for individual membership with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). This course provides a comprehensive understanding of diverse therapeutic approaches through a research-informed curriculum. You'll explore key areas such as ethical practices, core counselling skills and contemporary therapies, as well as the classification and treatment of mental health conditions and therapeutic techniques across the lifespan - from infancy to adulthood. Through immersive, practice-based modules, you’ll develop the essential skills to become a reflective practitioner. Active learning including simulations and role-plays with peers and tutors, will help you to cultivate your own professional identity and prepare you for your supervised placements. By conducting evidence-based research, you’ll also acquire valuable experience in evaluating, critically analysing, and drawing conclusions from empirical data and disseminating findings. During your second year, we will support you in securing a placement/s to complete the 100 clinical hours required to apply for individual accreditation with the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). Alongside your placement, you’ll participate in regular group discussions, workshops and peer supervision, guided by our expert interdisciplinary team, dedicated to helping you refine your intellectual and practical skills. Successful completion of this course will enable you to meet one of the main entry requirements for the MA Psychotherapy and Counselling. Graduates will also be eligible to apply as Accredited Registrants (MNCPS Acc.), meeting the SCoPEd Column A requirements, or to continue their studies with programmes such as the BPS-accredited MSc Psychology (Conversion).