FdA Counselling Studies

This course is subject to final confirmation of availability
Delivered at	Accrington & Rossendale College University Centre
Start Date	September 2024
Duration	2 Years
Cost	£9000 Year 1
* The fees charged on your course will not rise by more than inflation during your studies but the College reserves the right to increase fees annually by not more than RPIX (Retail Prices Index excluding Mortgage Interest). If your studies are to be funded by your employer or as part of an Apprenticeship then different rates may apply, please enquire for details. ** All fees are payable to Nelson and Colne College Group University Centre

Course overview

The programme will enable you to critically engage with the various theoretical frameworks and concepts relevant to the context and practice of counselling work. Additionally it will facilitate you to work with the relief of psychological suffering and enable you to support clients in developing their self-awareness, self-worth and coping strategies in order to manage their lives more effectively. Throughout the course you will develop relevant transferable skills such as critical enquiry, analysis, and capacity for independent learning.

What will I learn

Units in the programme may include:

YEAR 1
• Personal and Academic Development
• Counselling Skills
• Counselling Theories
• Introduction to Research
• Developing Counselling Skills in Clinical Practice
• Developmental Psychology

YEAR 2
• Continuing Personal Development and Professional Practice
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Models of Practice
• Research Methods in Counselling
• The Philosophy of Mind and the Theories of
Consciousness
• Mental Health and Wellbeing

How will the courses be assessed?

Assessment takes place at the end of each unit and is in the form of essays, reports, portfolios, presentations, seminar papers and seminar presentations.

Entry requirements

Candidates are selected on the basis of their ability to cope with and benefit from the programme. Their suitability can be demonstrated either through previous educational achievement or through experience and aptitude.
Admission by prior qualification will normally require one of the following:
Level 3 Counselling

Access
Access to Higher Education Diploma - 60 credits, of which at least of which at least 45 must be achieved at level 3 (from 2010, with merit) and with an appropriate combination of modules

Access to Higher Education Diploma & modular achievement with 24 credits at level 3 (from 2010, with merit)

Open College level 3 qualifications (obtained in or before 2008) at 50% or above

NVQ level 3 in relevant vocational areas

At least 160 UCAS tariff points (60 points from AS alone; at least 100 points should be obtained from A2s, AVCE, GNVQ Advanced or Scottish Highers)

Relevant work experience/ professional qualifications

All students will be required to have a current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate

All students will require 2 hours per week paid or voluntary work in a relevant counselling setting (100 hours over the 2 years)

Mature entry
Prospective mature students without prior academic qualifications in relevant subjects may be asked to demonstrate their suitability for the programme by researching and producing a 1200 word essay on an appropriate topic including the importance of personal awareness and the three main approaches to counselling
which the applicant would need to complete and bring to a second interview.

All students will be interviewed for their suitability for the programme.

Progression

On completion of FdA Counselling Studies, students can progress to BA (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies, subject to a successful interview. This course is also based at the Accrington campus.