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Qualification: Diploma of HE Level 5
This course will provide a theoretical foundation and practitioner training in the Person-Centred Approach, which qualifies you to practice as a counsellor. It will give you an opportunity to work with both traditional and contemporary person-centred counselling theorists, equipping you with a wide theoretical knowledge from which to practice safely and ethically. At the end of the second year you will be qualified to apply for and work in different areas of the profession such as private practice, NHS, schools, and related sectors.
This is a two-year full-time course which has the option of an extra one-year top-up course, a BA (Hons) Degree in Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy, after successfully completing the Diploma.
This programme is quality assured by Middlesex University and you will receive a Middlesex award on successful completion.
Download Programme Specification and Module Details (pdf)
Read Middlesex University Regulations (new window) Financial assistance
Do you need help to pay for this course? Did you know you can take out a Higher Education Loan to help with this? The Student Loans Company provides loans and grants to learners at college studying Higher Education.
Important Notice
Please note that all courses are subject to minimum numbers. If there are too few enrolments, the College may cancel the course. A place on your chosen course is not confirmed until enrolment is complete and any relevant fees are paid.
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Tel: 023 8048 4848Email: enquiries@southampton-city.ac.uk
The first year of this course will provide you with the theoretical foundational base in person-centred counselling and how this can be applied in different counselling contexts, for example bereavement or abuse.
Year one
The second year will build on the theoretical knowledge learnt in year 1 and explores more creative expressive mediums such as play therapy, art, sand-tray and music and movement. There is also a focus on developing your skills and knowledge to allow you to enter the counselling profession.
Year two
The course includes a clinical placement that lasts for the two years of the course. You will need to achieve 50 client hours per year in your placement. You will be expected to source this yourself, although we have a list of providers to help you with your search.
You will be required to attend City College one day per week and an annual summer school (3 days in August).
External commitments include:
Although this degree course carries part-time college attendance it holds full-time HE status because of the added external commitments.
You will be assessed in a variety of ways including: written essays, group and individual presentations, practise observations, tape evaluations and dissertation/viva. Assessments are carried out by tutors, peers and self.
Students applying for this course must:
You will be required to attend a college interview prior to enrolling. Before your interview you will need to submit 4 small essays as follows:
Download our Reference Form (word document)
Please send all of the above to admissions@southampton-city.ac.uk stating your full name and date of birth.
To your interview you will need to bring the following:
Download our Admissions Policy (pdf)
Although our library is expansively stocked, as with all university courses you will need a book budget of around £100-150.
This programme is quality assured by Middlesex University and you will receive a Middlesex award on successful completion. Middlesex University, The Burroughs, Hendon, London NW4 4BT. Telephone 020 8411 5000
You will also be recognised as having completed a BACP (British Association for Counseling & Psychotherapy) accredited training course if you also go on to successfully complete the third year BA (Hons) Degree in Person-Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy 'top-up.'
17 June 2023 10:00 - 12:00
A college counselling graduate is now practicing for the NHS as a Primary Care Counsellor in the west country.
Lottie Hart, 38, originally from Bitterne, completed the BA (Hons) in Person-centered Counselling and Psychotherapy at City College and has since landed herself a successful career with the NHS.
Prior to studying at the college, Lottie was working two jobs as a waitress and office assistant in order to support her young child. Struggling to make ends meet, Lottie sought a new career and chose City College as not only was it local to her home, they also offered a part government-funded option which helped her meet the tuition costs.
The course included an external placement programme that allowed Lottie to learn whilst on-the-job. For a person-centered course, this was invaluable experience. Lottie said: “I was able to grow into my profession from within my training. I felt valued and part of something that matters.”
The learning style of the course is flexible, requiring students to attend college one day a week, along with an annual summer school. However it holds higher education status through its additional external requirements; a clinical placement, both unsupervised and supervised study time and peer discussions. This allows the student to dictate their own schedule and work it around their other commitments.