Program Overview

BA (Hons) Person-Centred Counselling

Overview

This course will provide a range of opportunities for you to learn about yourself, whilst developing the skills required to become a fully qualified person-centred counsellor.

You will develop a strong theoretical knowledge base, alongside the practical skills needed to become an effective person-centred counsellor. You will experience an exciting, demanding, yet rewarding programme which will enrich your life and develop your critical reflections skills.

Whist this is a full-time course, typically this course generally only requires 1-2 days on campus attendance, supported by self-directed study. This means you can continue to work alongside your studies and balance other commitments.

On completion of this degree you are eligible to apply for individual membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Course Modules

• The Person Centred Approach (Mandatory)
  • This module introduces the person-centred approach within the context of the Humanistic movement. You will consider Carl Rogers’ theory of personality development and therapeutic practice and are encouraged to understand the theory in relation to your own experience and development. You will begin to develop the qualities and skills necessary to become a person-centred counsellor.
• Professional Context (Mandatory)
  • An understanding and knowledge of the contemporary professional, statutory, and socio-cultural milieu is critical to your capacity to work professionally and effectively. This module is designed to provide you with the requisite understanding and knowledge to work in an ethical, professional and socially responsible manner.
• Starting Counselling Practice (Mandatory)
  • The learning in this module is essential to the process of personal transformation in awareness with respect to cognition, perception, affect and behaviour upon which therapeutic presence and efficacy is dependent and forms a solid preparation for taking up a counselling placement.
• Fitness to Practice (Mandatory)
  • This module offers the opportunity to integrate in an evaluative manner evidence from a range of learning experiences such as to provide a reflective and evaluative context in which to determine your therapeutic and professional readiness to commence placement. The module provides focus on the critical areas of personal and professional competency and the development of those attitudes, perceptual frameworks, qualities and behaviours, which optimise your capacity to help others.
• Counselling Practice (Mandatory)
  • This module is a key element in the course and support you towards the BACP requirement for 100 hours of supervised clinical practice. You will be in practice within an approved counselling placement, supported by individual supervision external to the course and group supervision operating within the course and facilitated by a member of the tutor team.
• Continuing Personal Development/Supervision (Mandatory)
  • The purpose of the module is to both provide you with the necessary supervisory support required for your work placement and, in separate sessions, to offer the opportunity for the personal development required to work ethically with self-awareness in a challenging environment.
• Research (Mandatory)
  • Research in counselling has become of increasing importance as evidence-based practice becomes the norm. The BACP have emphasised this importance and include it in their core curriculum for counsellor training. The module will provide a basis for you to understand the methods of research and to carry out personal research projects.
• Specific Client Issues (Mandatory)
  • This module focuses on these problems and issues faced by individuals including depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, eating disorders, personality disorders, life-stage issues such as loss and change. You will bring this knowledge to your current clinical work and use your therapeutic experience to refine your theoretical understanding.
• Self-Evaluation (Mandatory)
  • This module provides the opportunity for you to evaluate your learning over the three years, to evaluate your counselling work and to provide your own assessment of the Person-Centred Approach to therapy.
• Working with Groups (Mandatory)
  • Group work is integral to all counsellors, particularly in the field of drug and alcohol work. This module provides the skills in group work which those who go into training or the facilitation of therapy groups.
• Dissertation (Mandatory)
  • This module builds on the Level 5 Research Module. Using the skills and knowledge gained in that module, you will plan and conduct a research project leading to the writing of a dissertation. This will be based on a counselling subject in an area of your choosing.

Entry Requirements

UK Academic Requirements

• 112 UCAS tariff points (or above)
  • BBC (A-Level)
  • DMM (BTEC)
  • Merit (T Level)
  • Pass in Access to HE Diploma.
• Completed the equivalent of a two year certificate course in counselling or counselling skills.
• GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above.

International Requirements

• IELTS 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) where English is not the students' first language.
• Applicants whose first language is not English, but who have been living in the UK for 2 years or more will be expected to hold GCSE English at Grade C or above, (grade 4-9 for the new GCSEs) or the relevant Level 2 equivalent (if applicable).

Transferring Credit

• If you have previously studied at higher education level before you may be able to transfer credits to a related course at the University of Suffolk and reduce the period of study time necessary to achieve your degree.

Career Opportunities

Potential employment opportunities exist in a range of private, public and voluntary sector organisations, such as:

• Education
• Healthcare
• Charities
• Private practice

You could also progress onto post-graduate study to further enhance your skills, knowledge and understanding.

Fees and Funding

2025/26

• UK Full-time Tuition Fee: £9,535 per year
• UK Part-time Tuition Fee: £1,589 per 20 credit module
• International Full-time Tuition Fee: £15,090 per year

2026/27

• UK Full-time Tuition Fee: £9,535 per year
• UK Part-time Tuition Fee: £1,589 per 20 credit module
• International Full-time Tuition Fee: £15,090 per year

How to Apply

To study this course on a full-time basis, you can apply through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.