This course is designed for those people who wish to progress in their journey into becoming a fully qualified Counsellor from completing their level 2 and 3 in Counselling.

Training to become a counsellor at Level 4 is a significant step, requiring dedication, personal responsibility, and self-awareness. While compassion and commitment are important, personal insight and readiness for growth are also essential.

It also requires personal insight, resilience, and a commitment to giving and receiving feedback. Most students do not fully understand what a course like this is like until they do it. A strong desire to join the course is important but so is taking time to assess whether this is the right course and the right time for you.

What does the course involve?

It will involve at least 90% attendance, completion of 7 mandatory units (across the 2 years), 100 hours in an approved Counselling placement (at least 51% of placement hours will need to be carried out face to face) NB- Whilst we will provide a list of approved placements and support all students to look for placements, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to secure a suitable placement during the first year of study.

The course will also require a commitment to professional and personal growth- being open to giving and receiving feedback to enable growth. Time commitment to classes/completing course work / placement /supervision and personal therapy.

You will need to have fully achieved all aspects of the Level 4 Diploma to be able to progress to the level 5.

CPCAB route

• Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (PC-L5)- we will be looking at obtaining approval to run this from Sept 2026 for there to be a progression route for you with Halesowen College
• Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapeutic Skills and Theory (CBT-L5)- we will not be offering this progression route at present.
• Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People (CYP-L5)- we will not be offering this progression route at present.
• Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision (TCSU-L6)- we will not be offering this progression route at present.

The qualification currently offers routes on to the following professional body registers accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA):

• BACP – British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
• NCPS – National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society
• UKCP – United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (Standards for Psychotherapeutic counselling).

Learners applying to UKCP must also acquire CPCAB Level 5 diploma in psychotherapeutic.

counselling.

• COSCA – Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland
• ACC – Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professions.

The qualification is also mapped to the Counselling and Mental Health National Occupational Standards (NOS), the BACP Core Curriculum and the QAA benchmark standards for counselling and psychotherapy.

2 years (part time)

7 mandatory units over the 2 years of study

Unit 1 – Working ethically, safely and professionally as a counsellor.

Unit 2 – Working within a counselling relationship.

Unit 3 – Working with client diversity in counselling work.

Unit 4 – Working within a user-centered approach to counselling.

Unit 5 – Working with self-awareness in the counselling process.

Unit 6 – Working within a coherent framework of counselling theory and skills.

Unit 7 – Working self-reflectively as a counsellor.

To achieve the qualification, you must be internally assessed as Proficient in all 7 units of the qualification and must be externally assessed (by CPCAB) as Proficient.

In addition to the 7 mandatory units a minimum of 100 hours of placement activity will also need to completed by the end of the 2nd year of study.

There will be continuous assessment through assignments/projects/reflective journals/ documents, tutor observation and testimony and portfolio building. Candidates must be pass all internal and external assessment and meet all the qualification requirements, including all placement hours. Minimum assessment requirements are verified both internally and externally by the awarding body (CPCAB).

A completely signed off candidate learning record (CLR) is mandatory by the end of the course for final internal and external assessment to take place.

External verifiers may request copies of your work however your confidentiality will be always kept.

Please note in accordance with CPCAB policy that you must be deemed fit to practice and have an approved placement in order to progress to year 2 of this course. Students who have not secured a placement by the start of their second year will need to defer and resume the course once a placement is confirmed.

If a student withdraws or is unable to continue the course, they will remain responsible for any outstanding fees.

Part-time applicants should apply via the ‘Apply’ link on the Halesowen College website.

If your qualification(s) are not listed, please contact Halesowen College’s Admissions Team for further guidance on 0121 602 7607.

On application

• Evidence of successful counselling training in both Level 2 and Level 3 in Counselling Ofqual regulated courses involving a minimum of 180 class time hours over the two levels.
• To provide a written character reference (from a person who has known you for longer than 2 years this cannot be a family member) and a written academic reference from your level 3 Counselling course tutor/training provider. This reference will need to include evidence regarding over 85% attendance, evidence of meeting deadlines and professionalism and growth in your personal development during your studies.
• To be aged 19 or over at commencement of the course.
• Evidence of GCSE / O Level English Language grade C/4 or above. We also consider these qualifications as alternatives (e/g Degree in any subject/ functional skills level 2/ adult literacy /”A” levels in any subject that was essay based. However, if it is not possible to provide any evidence of English (at the grades requested), we will consider your writing skills at your level 3 Counselling qualifications.
• A written piece of no more than 1000 words explaining why you wish to apply for the course, this written piece will be used at Interview to assess written English and motivation for the course.

At Interview

• Demonstrate an interest in working with people and understanding of the demands and expectations of the course and to be able to articulate reasons for undertaking the course.
• Show a commitment to personal development and awareness that engaging safely with clients may involve addressing personal challenges through therapy.
• Recognise and adhere to BACP ethics.

If you fully meet all of entry requirements you will be invited for an interview and following the interview and if successful you will offered a place on the course.

w/c 8th September

Daytime –

Tuesday

9am-4:30pm

36 weeks

Coombs Wood Campus

Evening –

Wednesday and Thursday (both evenings)

5:15pm-9pm

36 weeks

Whittingham Road Campus

Please be aware that students will be asked to complete a BKSB Maths & English initial and diagnostic assessment during the induction period to assess skills at that time and to help to enhance these skills during your studies.

£4670

19+ Advanced Learner loan  available to eligible applicants.

https://www.halesowen.ac.uk/he-finance-financial-support/

Should any applicants have questions or queries concerning finance, please contact Admissions for further guidance:

Phone: 0121 602 7607

Or via the live chat facility on the College’s website www.halesowen.ac.uk

Additional Costs that students will incur.

• BACP student membership (mandatory before students are allowed to go into placements)
• Minimum of 10 hours per academic year of personal therapy-minimum of 6 hours as part of eligibility for placement. (this cost could be added to the learner loan however this would need to be confirmed by our admissions/loan company)

Additional Costs that students could incur.

• Individual Supervision (if not provided by a qualified Counselling Supervisor at the placement). Please note that this could cost anything up to £45 (or above) per hour as students must have a minimum of 1.5 hours per calendar month in line with BACP requirements.
• Personal/professional Indemnity Insurance-if not provided by the placement
• Books (if not able to access from the College Library)
• DBS (old CRB) checks if required by placement (this cannot be done through the college procedure for DBS checks)
• CPCAB appeal fee if required.

H70066A

H70066B