Foundation Degree Counselling

The typical entry requirement for this course is a Level 3 in a Counselling Skills and grade 4/C in GCSE Maths and English, or a minimum of two Level 2 Essential Skills qualifications, including English and Maths.

We recognise other qualifications/experience and the contribution these bring to the programme. If a student does not meet the typical entry requirement and would like to apply, they are advised contact our curriculum team to discuss this further.

We want to unleash your learning potential while nurturing and developing your own growing philosophy. To elevate your experience, teaching will be immersive, with a dynamic blend of face-to-face and online lessons that create moments of creativity that are gateways to new knowledge.

Our engaging curriculum features guest speakers, collaborative sessions and creative expression projects to make learning an exciting, productive and rewarding journey. You will enjoy independent study time, group projects, guided studies and creative collaborations that shape your skills organically.

Our explorative and collaborative teaching approach does not stop at learning. Students will participate in a spectrum of assessments that go beyond the ordinary and challenge the status quo. From thought-provoking essays to thrilling group projects, insightful reports, powerful presentations and self-reflective creative tasks – every assessment is a chance for you to showcase your unique brilliance and individuality.

You will embrace the diversity of the learning experiences through active debates, inspiring lectures, interactive seminars, and hands-on workshops. Your education is not just a process, it's an adventure waiting to unfold and we want to help you redefine your learning journey.

You will gain real-world experience when embarking upon an industry placement.

Year two isn't just a continuation, it's your gateway to hands-on experience and professional growth. Year two is an immersive experience where you transform skill practice into industry expertise. You will complete 100 supervised counselling practice hours and gain a minimum of 15 invaluable supervision hours.

Your placement is a carefully curated experience aimed at engaging your skills practice from year one and using it to create therapeutic change, while growing and developing your own counselling philosophy.

Before stepping into year two, you'll already have your placement secured, setting the foundation for a year of transformative progression. Your counselling journey doesn't just happen in the classroom, it unfolds in real-life scenarios, shaping you into a skilled and empathetic practitioner.

A placement is not just a requirement, it's an opportunity to bridge theory with practice and turn your knowledge into wisdom, making your education more than just a degree.

Our extensive industry links mean students won't be navigating their journey alone – you will have mentors, professionals, and organisations offering specific guidance, training and advice tailored to the field.

This isn't just education, it's a partnership with the industry's finest local contributors and a chance to be mentored by the experts. This is a unique opportunity to turn knowledge into applied wisdom.

You will be required to commit to one day of face-to-face study per week and engage in various learning activities outside of the classroom.

Beyond traditional lectures, you'll engage in guided study tasks, immersive workshops, collaborative group projects, online lessons, and interactive sessions. This approach ensures that your education transcends the confines of the classroom, providing you with the tools and resources to thrive in both academic and real world settings.

In year two, you will work with your placement provider to create your own flexible counselling timetable. This will include one day of face-to-face learning, various external learning activities and up to six hours per week of providing therapeutic support to your clients.

Year one and two are delivered with a mindful approach to empower you to delve deep into your studies while navigating life's demands. It's not just about accommodating schedules, it's about an aim to create a space where education seamlessly integrates with your life.

We recommend that students join the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapists to assist in the navigation of ethical working practice. This provides students with a framework to support ethical and legal practice, and a range of tools, information and support to help with your studies. Additionally, the programme meets the requirements for students to apply to work toward accreditation post-qualification if they choose.

Although this is not a requirement, students are expected to register with a professional body offering an appropriate ethical framework before engaging in industry placement. Students should liaise with their chosen placements to ensure they are working to placements requirements and policies.

We are dedicated to offering students a route into the challenging and rewarding sector of counselling and wider roles where counselling skills are required.

Our Counselling Foundation Degree is where expertise meets ambition! The programme aims to deliver a cutting edge curriculum that not only nurtures a robust theoretical foundation but also hones expert practical skills for real world success. We will develop your skill set with our Core Practitioner programme, which puts you at the forefront of meeting the growing demand for counsellors in health, voluntary and community sectors, as well as private practice. We want you to help us elevate the counselling community together!

The programme will help you explore and embrace diversity, adapt to change and gain industry-ready competence through hands-on engagement with local agencies and experts. We want students to join us in shaping the future of counselling excellence!

You will study a range of modules over the two years of this course, including:

Year one -

- Unravelling Theoretical Threads (20 credits)
This module is an in depth exploration of person-centred therapy as a core model. The person-centred model will be the primary underpinning modality for students on this programme. The overview and exploration of the model includes the historical perspective of person-centred therapy and goes on to explore the model's contemporary relevance, both theoretically and practically. There will be an emphasis placed on understanding the theory, assumptions and evidence base, while acknowledging the recommendtion of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) for a strong grounding in a core counselling model.

In semester two the module begins the exploration of counselling models in addition to the core model. This is completed with an in depth explorations of diverse counselling models, to include cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic, existential, rationale emotive behavioural therapy, transactional analysis, Gestalt, acceptance and commitment therapy, and integrative approaches. Through exploration of the historical and contemporary relevance, the aim is to give students insight into the multi-faceted nature of these models and their application in counselling practice, with the additional aim of cultivating critical thinking by assessing, comparing and analysing each model. This supports the emphasis on the importance of current research in shaping theoretical and practical counselling philosophy.

- Exploring Diverse Horizons (20 credits)
This module is aimed at cultivating ethical and competent counselling practitioners. Students will explore various aspects of ethical practice. The module addresses and reviews key topics, such as the relevance of the BACP's ethical framework for the counselling profession, boundary issues and confidentiality, as well as the recognition of limits within one's competence, and fitness to practice. Legal considerations, including the Data Protection Act, health and safety regulations, the Equality Act, Children's Act, Mental Health Act, and drugs legislation, will also be explored.

- Inside Out Growth - Stepping into Self Awareness (20 credits)
This module draws from various theoretical frameworks, including Freud, Erikson, Piaget, Mahler and Stern, and explores group processes and personal development issues within a group context. The module consists of tutor facilitated group and independent self-awareness activities, such as Johari's Window, and evaluation of group dynamics in a process group to develop and nurture an in depth understanding of the self. Topics of self-awareness in relation to others, transference and countertransference, and adherence to the BACP code of ethics will be explored.

- Inside Out Growth - Who Am I? (20 credits)
This module is a continuation of semester one Stepping into Self Awareness and challenges you to step deeper and explore your own personal development. The module takes a more comprehensive look at the theoretical frameworks of Freud, Erikson, Piaget, Mahler and Stern, and explores group processes and personal development issues within a group context. The module consists of tutor facilitated group and independent self-awareness activities, and evaluation of group dynamics in a process group to develop and nurture an in depth understanding of the self. Topics of self-awareness in relation to others, transference and countertransference, and adherence to the BACP code of ethics will be explored.

- Practical Mastery - Counselling Skills in Action (20 credits)
This module is designed to introduce and develop counselling skills in students, with an exploration into the skills required in the core model of counselling. There will be a substantial portion of the module that is dedicated to the development of counselling skills. The skills will range from non-verbal and para-verbal communication, to the use of questions, affective enquiries, summarising, paraphrasing and immediacy, practised in peer triad groups. Diversity and inclusion are considered throughout the module, recognising the growing global diversity within the context of counselling and education to ensure that students gain and develop cultural competence and sensitivity. The aim of the module is to equip students with a skill set that will aid in the development of trust and to establishes therapeutic contact and relationships.

- Practical Mastery - Into the Field (20 credits)
The module is designed to continue from ‘Practical Mastery - Counselling skills in Action’ module and develop counselling skills in students, with an exploration into the skills required in the core model of counselling. There will be a substantial portion of the module that is dedicated to the development of counselling skills, the skills will range from non-verbal and para-verbal communication to the use of questions, affective inquiries, summarising, paraphrasing, and immediacy, practiced in peer triad groups.

Diversity and inclusion are considered throughout the module, recognising the growing global diversity within the context of counselling and education, to ensure that students gain and develop cultural competence and sensitivity. The aim of the module is to equip students with a skill set that will aid in the development of trust and to establishes therapeutic contact and relationships.

The counselling 'triad' work will be central to the module and will provide an opportunity for the practical application of skills and the exploration of genuine issues within a supportive setting. The skills set will be built upon with weekly tutor and peer feedback, building students up to final assessment and observation of student readiness for counselling placement, inclusivity, diversity, cultural competence, legal and ethical working practice will all take precedence in the weekly formative and final summative assessment for student readiness.

Year 2:

- Exploring Counselling Investigative Rhythms (20 credits)
This module explores the various elements of research and distinguishes between counselling research and the scientific method, developing an understanding of the importance of mixed methods of research. The module examines the concept of evidence, exploring the different forms and exploring the relationship between counselling research and practical application. The module is a foundational introduction to both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, encompassing an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of published papers.

- Beyond the Boundaries in Counselling (20 credits)
This module is designed to provide a thorough exploration of contemporary issues in counselling, integrating theory, evidence and practical application. Exploring diverse client experiences, the module tackles pressing mental health challenges like depression, anxiety and personality disorders through the lens of the DSM-5 diagnostic framework. The module not only equips students with an in depth understanding of client assessment and diagnosis but also navigates the complexities of integrating diagnoses into counselling practice within the current context.

Beyond this, the module extends focus to address contemporary topics such as loss, grief, shame and guilt, emphasising cultural sensitivity to ensure inclusivity. Exploring areas like sexuality and diversity, time-limited counselling strategies, specialised approaches like play therapy for children, and domestic violence, the module remains firmly rooted in addressing the evolving landscape of counselling.

Lastly, it provides essential insights into approaching contemporary challenges like self-harm with empathy, cultural awareness and an unwavering commitment to client wellbeing. The module underscores the importance of adopting contemporary, multi-cultural and inclusive perspectives to meet the unique needs of clients from diverse backgrounds.

- Inside-Out Growth - Beyond the Horizon (20 credits)
In the second year, students will engage in a more in depth exploration of self-knowledge and self-awareness through meaningful interactions within the group. This module builds on the achievements of year one, with a focus on elevating students communication skills through group discussions and class presentations.

- Inside-Out Growth - The top of the Pyramid (20 credits)
As the second semester module, this module will cover a critical evaluation of application of theories of human growth and the development of self and of counselling practice, advanced exploration of Group Process and Group Dynamics, personal development issues such as identity and cultural influences, considerations of determinism versus autonomy of the self, and will explore methods of self-assessment and self-development.

In the second year of personal development, students are encouraged to revisit their progress by reflecting on the Personal Development Action Plan created in year one. In doing so, students can review their growth over the programme, and can plan for their future development as counsellors.

Additionally, the module will exploration the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Ethical Framework with a focus on personal moral qualities. Students will critically examine and reflect upon the importance of these qualities in relation to self, and when working as counsellors. Aligning with the BACP recommendation for trainee counsellors, the module encourages to assess personal commitment to the moral qualities as opposed to viewing them as external requirements.

- Field Integration - Applied Counselling in Supervised Practice (20 credits)
This module is designed to elevate students developing counselling skills within an approved placement. The module aligns with the overall programme emphasis of the integration of counselling theory with practical application in real world settings. The module encourages reflective practice and personal development through engagement with clients whilst undertaking counselling supervision. Students will have the opportunity to discuss and analyse their experiences in individual tutorials and peer supervision groups. Personal journals and anonymised casework will be used as exploratory material for skill and knowledge development. Primarily, the module is based on the work completed in a placement setting and also adds the provision of support from college staff and peers for reflection and evaluation.

- Field Integration - On becoming a practitioner (20 credits)
This is the second of two modules designed to elevate students developing counselling skills within an approved placement. The module aligns with the overall programme emphasis of the integration of counselling theory with practical application in real-world settings.

The module encourages evaluative practice and personal development through engagement with clients whilst undertaking counselling supervision.

Students will have the opportunity to discuss and analyse their experiences in individual tutorials and peer supervision groups, and personal journals and anonymised casework material will be used as exploratory material for skill and knowledge development. Primarily the module is based on the work completed in placement setting, but also adds the provision of support from college staff and peers for reflection and evaluation.

Additionally, students will engage in live supervision and attend one-to-one counselling supervision sessions fortnightly to enhance their learning and development.

The programme is validated by the University of Hull.

The course is worth 240 credits - 120 credits per year.