Course code: CSAN000P
Subject area: Counselling
Study level: Part Time
Course level: 3
Course time:
18:00 - 21:00
Days of week:
Monday
Course date:
18th Sept 2023 - 24th Jun 2024
Course location:
Abingdon CampusThe Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies deepens your comprehension of the three main theoretical approaches to counselling: Psychodynamic, Person-centred and Cognitive Behavioural, as well as Transactional Analysis. The course provides the opportunity to strengthen your use of counselling skills in the workplace, building on the skills learnt in Level 2, and prepares you for the professional Diploma in Counselling, Level 4 course.
The tutors are themselves working counsellor practitioners who have a passion to maintain the standards of the profession and encourage the best qualities within their students. Students will develop supportive peer relationships, as group work is a key element of the training.
This qualification does not lead to counselling employment. It is designed as pre-practitioner training for professional counselling qualifications, but it could also provide professional development or lead to employment for those working in a related field.
This course is validated by the CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body). CPCAB is an organisational member of the European Association for Counselling and their qualifications are internationally available. For more information, the CPCAB website can be accessed on www.cpcab.co.uk.
During the course you will study a range of topics including:
• Preparing to work within an ethical framework for counselling
• Understanding the counselling relationship
• Working with difference and diversity issues to develop empathic understanding
• Practising within a user-centred approach to Counselling
• Using counselling theory to develop self-awareness in counselling practice
• Understanding theories of counselling and mental health
• Delivering and responding to feedback, reflection and supervision to support counselling studies
There is a minimum expectation of three to six hours per week for the time spent completing homework tasks and independent study. This is likely to fluctuate at key points during the course, such as before the external reflective review exam paper and when working on assignments.
To achieve the Counselling Studies Level 3 Certificate, learners must be assessed as proficient in all of the mandatory learning units and must be assessed as proficient in both internal and external assessments.
The course has two formal assessment elements and candidates need to be proficient in both to pass the course:
• External Reflective Review exam
• Portfolio of evidence, which will involve a variety of documents including assignments, reviews of your learning and feedback
The expectation from CPCAB is that learners have a minimum of 80-85% attendance and it is essential learners are able to attend the first session.
• Preparing to work within an ethical framework for counselling
• Understanding the counselling relationship
• Working with difference and diversity issues to develop empathic understanding
• Practising within a user-centred approach to Counselling
• Using counselling theory to develop self-awareness in counselling practice
• Understanding theories of counselling and mental health
• Delivering and responding to feedback, reflection and supervision to support counselling studies
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to apply for the Level 4 Diploma in Counselling CPCAB accredited course which qualifies you to practice as a counsellor in an Agency setting.
• You must have GCSE English Language Grade 4 ( C) or above. If English is not your first language, you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed at your studies and you must hold an IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking or equivalent
• Minimum candidate age 19 years old
• Ability to translate intra-personal experience into language
• Able to benefit from self-development and evidence personal insight
• Emotional stability*
• Ability to form a counselling relationship
• Awareness of difference and diversity
• Able to cope with course content**
• Be motivated towards developing as a counselling practitioner
*This qualification is not suitable for those who are currently in a state of severe emotional difficulty and/or severe psychological distress.
**The nature of this course involves experiential elements that will involve some personal disclosure and associated personal developmental activities.
Disclaimer: Please note that if an applicant has experienced a significant life event in the last 12 months e.g. bereavement or recovery from a mental health issue, the college has the right to refuse the application and will recommend deferring due to the demands of the course. This can be discussed at interview.
Additional Costs
• a variety of textbooks are available in the College and online, however students may wish to purchase their own copies. Prices of core text books range from £15-55.
As part of your course, we may organise trips to assist you with your learning. Trips are optional, and you will not be penalised if you choose not to participate. Bursaries may also be available to cover the cost of some trips.
Your course fee includes candidate registration with the CPCAB and your first attempt at the external assessment. If a re-sit of an external assessment is required, you will be responsible for meeting the cost of the re-sit at the rate charged by the CPCAB at the time.
There are bursaries available to help you with other course costs. Call 01235 216 212 for more information.
The rules on fee reduction are complicated and we would encourage you to talk to our Admissions staff on 01235 555 585 to discuss your options. You can find more information on our Fees and Bursaries page - search "Fees and Bursaries" at the top of the page. Below is a guide to eligibility.
This course is currently eligible for Level 3 “Free Courses For Jobs Offer”, if any of the below categories apply then you would be eligible for a reduction. Funding is subject to change.
• you are unemployed, and in receipt of a benefit eg Universal Credit, JSA, ESA, Income Support, or Housing Benefit and looking to use the course to find employment.
• you are in paid employment (working) and earn less than £20,319 a year gross from the paid employment.
• you do not already have a full level 3 qualification, or above. This includes A-levels (2 full or 4 AS), Diploma or other qualification at level 3 or the equivalent from outside the UK/England. Qualifications higher than level 3 include degrees, HNCs, Masters, PHDs and equivalents.
As part of your course we may organise trips to
19+ Fee:
Tuition Fee: £811.00
Exam Fee: £0.00
Total Cost: £811.00
Assessment is in accordance with CPCAB guidelines and includes a portfolio and successful completion of an external assessment. Students are required to complete a weekly journal, 3 essay assignments, one case study, one research project with presentation to peers and one mock external case review. Portfolios typically include a range of evidence including reflective journals, skills practice feedback from tutors and peers and course assignments.