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Humanistic Counselling Top-up BSc (Hons)

Top-up your counselling diploma and develop advanced humanistic therapy skills on this 1-year BSc (Hons) degree.

Key information

UCAS code:

B949

Typical offer:

DipHE Level 5 qualification in Counselling in specific pathways with proof of completing a work placement

See full entry requirements
Study mode and duration
Start date

Course information

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Overview

If you have a DipHE in counselling (or an equivalent Level 5 counselling qualification), you can top it up to a Bachelor's degree on this 1-year course.

Humanistic counselling encourages individuals to think about their feelings and take responsibility for their thoughts and actions, with the emphasis on self-development and achieving their potential rather than on problematic behaviour. Gestalt therapy, for example, is one of a number humanistic approaches.

You'll learn the latest trends and developments in humanistic counselling theory and apply them to your practice, with professional development support in the form of workshops, supervision and networking. You'll also complete a research project on a topic that matches your interests and ambitions.

If you're in employment, this course can fit around your working week, with timetabled teaching taking place 1 day a week, workshops on 6 Saturdays throughout the course, and occasional events in the evenings and at weekends.

After the course, you could work as a humanistic counsellor in areas such as education, the police service, the prison service or the voluntary sector. The advanced skills and experience you gain will allow you to work with a wider variety of clients with more complex needs.

A modern building with decorative cladding and paved courtyard with seating, part of Eastleigh College

South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus

This course takes place at South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus.

While studying at South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus, you can access the University's student support services and community, including study support, the Students’ Union and our library's online resources.

Find out more about higher education courses at South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus in partnership with the University of Portsmouth on the South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus website.

Visit South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus

Course highlights

  • Learn advanced humanistic counselling skills, building on the knowledge you developed during your DipHE
  • Develop your research skills by undertaking an in-depth research project that matches your interests and career ambitions
  • Learn from experienced, industry-trained staff who've worked in organisations or run their own private practices
  • Study at South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus with access to support and services at the University of Portsmouth
  • Apply for student membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and get access to member resources including journal subscriptions, free courses and job boards while you study

Alternative counselling and therapy courses

Not sure this course is right for you? Take a look at our other counselling and therapy courses to compare your options

If you'd like to top-up your DipHE or equivalent Level 5 counselling qualification with a specialism in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), take a look at our Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Top-up) degree.

If you'd like to top-up your DipHE or equivalent Level 5 counselling qualification with a specialism in Gestalt Counselling, take a look at our Gestalt Counselling (Top-up) degree.

Contact information

Admissions

+44 (0) 23 9284 5566

Contact Admissions

Entry requirements

BSc (Hons) Humanistic Counselling (Top-up) entry requirements

Qualifications or experience

  • DipHE Level 5 qualification in Counselling from the following pathways with proof of completing 80 hours work placement in a counselling environment :
    • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
    • Gestalt Counselling
    • Humanistic Counselling

Selection process

  • All applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting the course.

You may need to have studied specific subjects  see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept

English language requirements

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

We look at more than just your grades

While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.

Explore more about how we make your offer

Careers and opportunities

Increased awareness in society about mental health has increased the demand for counselling and therapy services.

As a humanistic counsellor, you can have a significant positive impact on people's health and wellbeing, and help take the pressure off other health services such as GPs and hospitals.

Public, private and charity sector settings you could work in after the course include:

  • Education
  • Alcohol and drug services
  • Eating disorder services
  • Mental health services
  • GPs
  • Police and prison services

When you complete the course successfully, you can sit the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Certificate of Proficiency to become a registered member of the BACP.

Female student at computer

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

Modules

On this top-up course, you'll study modules worth 120 credits.

Note these modules are based on courses starting in 2023. We'll confirm 2024 modules here soon.

What you'll study

Core modules in this year include:

  • Humanistic Advanced Counselling Skills – 40 credits
  • Professional Practice Placement – 40 credits
  • Research Project – 40 credits

There are no optional modules in this year.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed.  This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.

Teaching

You'll gain skills, knowledge and competence through learning methods that include:

  • Work-based learning
  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Saturday workshops
  • Skills clinics
  • Personal development groups
  • Tutorials
  • Module handbooks
  • A virtual learning environment (VLE)

We recommend that you undertake some personal therapy as part of your own, ongoing personal and professional development, but it's not mandatory part of this Level 6 course.

Teaching staff include experienced experts who have industry experience in paid counselling roles in organisations, or who run their own private practice.

How you're assessed

On this counselling diploma, you'll be assessed through:

  • Essays
  • Live skills assessments (role play scenarios)
  • Individual and group presentations
  • Portfolios of evidence
  • Case studies
  • Personal learning journals
  • Professional requirements (a 'Fitness to Practice' assessment)
  • Supervised work-based learning

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

Feedback is central to this course. You'll get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future, as well as on your application for the 'Fitness to Practice' assessment. You'll also practice giving feedback during live skills assessments, where you'll receive feedback from your peers, as well as the assessment tutor.

How you'll spend your time

We recommend you spend at least 28 hours a week studying for your degree.

  • You'll be in timetabled teaching activities such as workshops and tutorials for 1 day a week.
  • You'll spend about 20 hours a week on independent study such as research into areas of specific interests, maintaining your learning journal, personal therapy, and on placement.

Teaching days and times

Timetabled teaching takes place 1 day a week, which will be on Fridays from 9.00am–5.00pm in 2024.

You'll also attend workshops on 6 Saturdays throughout the course. You may occasionally need to go to University and other course events in the evenings and at weekends.

Term times

September start

The academic year runs from September to May with breaks at Christmas and Easter.

  • September to December – teaching block 1
  • January to May – teaching block 2

February start

The academic year runs from February to February with breaks at Christmas and Easter.

  • February to July – teaching block 1
  • September to February – teaching block 2

You can find more detailed information on the South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus 'Key dates' webpage.

Supporting you

Even though you'll study at one of our partner colleges, you'll still be a student of the University of Portsmouth.

You'll have access to support via video, phone and face-to-face from University teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following University services:

Types of support

As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University's Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • Academic writing
  • Note taking
  • Time management
  • Critical thinking
  • Presentation skills
  • Referencing
  • Working in groups
  • Revision, memory and exam techniques

If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to

  • discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
  • liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
  • access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
  • liaise with external services

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

Course costs and funding

Tuition fees

  • UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250
  • EU residents – £9,250 (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £19,200

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Additional costs

You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.

You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.

We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.

 

You'll need to become a student member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Student membership costs £82 a year.

You need to attend 30-hours of personal therapy on this course. We recommend you budget £750–£1500 a year for your personal therapy.

You'll do at least 100 hours of supervised work placement, so we recommend you budget for travel expenses to and from the placement.

Contact our Housing Support Team if you need help and advice about accommodation.

Apply

How to apply

You can start your application now and submit it later if you want.

Applying through UCAS

To apply through UCAS, you'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – B949
  • our institution code – P80
  • the campus name – South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus
  • the campus code – E

 Apply now through UCAS (September 2024)

 Apply now through UCAS (February 2025)

Applying directly

To apply directly, use our online form:

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.