Counselling - Access to Higher Education

This integrative Counselling Course focuses on both theoretical and experiential learning. The main theories studied are Person Centred, Freudian, Jungian and Developmental approaches. This compliments the experiential learning aspect of the course, which consists of practical counselling skills work and an experiential group to develop self-awareness.

Students are required to adhere to the BACP ethical framework. 

All applicants will be sent an assignment, which they will need to bring to the interview. A reasonable level of maturity and life experience is required. Applicants should have English GCSE at grade 4 or higher or an equivalent qualification. Please be aware that a Level 2 maths qualification will also be required for university entrance. Candidates will also need to be able to organise written information clearly and coherently. Find out more about Maths and English qualifications offered at the college.

Timetabled days

Thursday: 9:15am to 3pm | Friday: 9:15am to 3.30pm

What the course includes

A number of different assessments are used on the Access course. These include essay writing; presentations; time-controlled assessments; an e-portfolio of Higher Education Study Skills.  These assessments will develop your academic skills in line with university expectations ensuring a smooth transition into degree level study programmes.

There are eight units to be completed on the course which are assessed in a variety of ways as detailed below: 

• Unit one: Study skills which is a generic un-graded unit. This will contain a research paper, essay plan and a short presentation.
• Unit two: Foundational Counselling skills: This unit is graded. This is a year-long unit and contains two practical assessments, one formative and one summative.
• Unit three: Emotional Intelligence. This unit is graded. This unit contains participation in an enquiry group and a written reflection. Keeping a personal learning journal, with a numbered word selection, and also an essay.
• Unit four: On becoming a counsellor. This is a graded unit and contains a report style piece with an additional paragraph. An essay on motives. Taking part in course participation groups with an essay and time-line targets.
• Unit five: Theories and Concepts. This is a graded unit which contains a pictorial/poster with an additional evaluation. The end of year exam.
• Unit six: This is a graded unit which contains a group presentation and evaluation. An essay, and a taped role-play. This unit also contains a signed witness statement by the CD at the completion of study.
• Unit seven: This is a graded unit which contains an essay.
• Unit eight: This is a graded unit which contains two essays, a pictorial representation and reflection.

Where will this course take me?

This course can take you to our UEA validated BA (Hons) Integrative Counselling degree here as USWSC (or to other universities across the country subject to entry requirements) or move on to other courses through the Credit Accumulation Scheme. All students who wish to go on to practise as professional counsellors are strongly advised to work towards individual accreditation with the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) or another recognised accrediting organisation.