Professional practice

As a student you will develop the core skills needed to become a professional, registered counsellor by completing a supervised work-based placement. This will enable you to apply for registered membership with the BACP on completion of the required hours. The course aligns itself with the main regulatory bodies SCoPed framework for training and enables you progress through the therapist bands with further training.

Personal development

You will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of personal development activities, including an annual residential, weekly personal development groups and other reflective tasks and assignments. These opportunities will encourage you to develop the self-awareness and reflectivity needed to become a counselling professional.

Counselling and society

Students will engage with the therapeutic community through supervision, membership of a professional body, continuing professional development and research activities. As a student you will also be introduced to issues that affect psychological well-being and inclusion in wider society and will be encouraged to develop and promote inclusive and cultural competencies. You will also be introduced to aspects of inequality within mental health provision and will be encouraged to explore aspects of privilege and advantage and the impact this may have on therapeutic practice.

Research and academic skills in counselling

We recognise that research is an important skill for the practising counsellor/psychotherapist and you will develop your knowledge and skills of how to understand, interpret and conduct research in this area. We also offer support for your academic, personal and career development throughout the programme as well as having access to a professional network consisting of guest speakers and work-based learning opportunities. Working closely with professionals, employers and placement providers, will offer the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge needed for your chosen career path. It is envisaged that graduates from this programme could apply for Masters level courses in counselling, or work in private practice or within multidisciplinary healthcare settings.

Modules

Year 1:

• Person centred theory and practice 40 credits
• Supervision & personal development part 1 20 credits
• Mental health & society 20 credits
• Professional standards, ethics & justice 20 credits
• Introduction to research in counselling 20 credits

Year 2:

• Pluralistic practice part 1 40 credits
• Supervision & personal development part 2 20 credits
• Brain, mind and mental health 20 credits
• Intersectionality, justice & cultural awareness 20 credits
• Conducting research in counselling & psychotherapy 20 credits

Year 3:

• Pluralistic practice part 2 40 credits
• Supervision & personal development part 3 20 credits
• Contemporary issues in counselling and psychotherapy 20 credits
• Research dissertation 40 credits

A range of summative assessment tasks will be used to assess the Intended Learning Outcomes in each module; these range from traditional academic essays, recorded practice sessions to interactive interviews and professional practice portfolios.

Students will be supported in their development towards summative assessment by appropriate formative exercises throughout.

Placement experiences significantly enrich counselling education by providing students with invaluable real-world exposure, effectively bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. This hands-on approach yields numerous advantages. Students gain experience encountering a wide range of clients and their unique challenges, allowing them to apply theoretical concepts learned in the classroom to authentic therapeutic settings. Furthermore, placements offer insights into potential career paths and professional requirements while honing essential counselling skills through direct client interaction. The integration of these components creates a holistic learning experience that augments traditional academic instruction, providing students with a well-rounded and practical understanding of the counselling profession.

• Counsellor: Graduates can work as counsellors in various settings such as schools, colleges, charities, and private practice
• Support Worker: This role involves providing guidance and support to individuals on various issues
• Schools and Colleges: Educational institutions often employ counsellors to support students' mental health and well-being

We try to ensure that all as many costs for the programme you will study will be included within your tuition fees. We will endeavour to keep any additional costs you may have to pay to a minimum and some of the extra costs may be considered optional where it is deemed extra to your programme.

To be clear, your tuition fees pay for the following:

• All teaching and lectures
• Use of specialist facilities at UCW
• Specialist Guest Lectures at UCW
• Annual photocopying budget of £10
• Use of computer equipment at any UCW campus
• Access to Microsoft 365 whilst enrolled at UCW.
• Access to careers advice during and after completion of your programme of study.
• Use of Libraries and access to Journal databases, e-books and physical books.

Additional Costs that will need to be incurred to study your programme: 

All students are required to obtain an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an additional cost of £50. Click here for details

Each student on the BSc(hons) Counselling could incur:

• Residentials that are seen as programme enhancement and are thus optional. (In 2023/24  £250 covered the residential)
• Extra photocopying and printing above the initial £10
• The cost of books you may wish to purchase
• Student membership with a professional body – (In 2023/4 the cost was £90 for annual membership)
• Clinical supervision – where supervision isn’t provided within a work placement, students will need to cover the cost of this – this varies but could be £30-40 a session
• Personal counselling – students must complete a minimum of 20 hours of personal counselling within the first two years of the course. Students will cover the cost of this – this varies but could be approximately £30-£50 a session.

Programme Specification