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Counselling Skills - Level 3

Summary

Enhance your professional development with the Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills. Whether you’re keen to become a qualified professional counsellor or you wish to gain counselling skills as part of your current profession (for example teaching or nursing), this 30-week programme is for you. As you develop your counselling skills, you will cover areas such as theoretical approaches, working ethically, diversity and personal development.

This qualification may aid progression to accredited counsellor status but it is not a licence to practise counselling. If you wish to work as a therapeutic counsellor you will also need the Level 4 Diploma in Counselling which you can study here on successful completion of this course.

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
25 Feb 2025
University Centre
18 Weeks
10 Sep 2025
Bispham Campus
1 Year
13 Sep 2025
University Centre
1 Year
25 Feb 2026
University Centre
18 Weeks

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

If you wish to work as a therapeutic counsellor you will also need the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (which is currently not being taught at B&FC).

Key information

Entry Requirements

To do this programme, you will need a Level 2 Counselling qualification (having studied a minimum of 90 hours). You must also be able to undertake written and oral assessments at level 2.

The programme requires you to be at least 19 and not in a current state of severe emotional difficulty or psychological confusion, nor involved in substance misuse.

Qualification obtained

Diploma in Counselling Skills

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

Tuition Fees

Read our tuition fees guide.

Other Costs and Equipment Needed

All the equipment and resources you need are provided by B&FC at no extra cost.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: NCFE

Terms and Conditions

Read our full terms and conditions.

 

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

This course has no work placements and no field trips.

The qualification covers the following subjects:

  • Developing Counselling Skills
  • Theoretical Approaches in the Use of Counselling Skills
  • Working Ethically with Counselling Skills
  • Counselling Skills and Diversity
  • Counselling Skills and Personal Development

Industry Placement and Field Trips

This course has no work placements and no field trips.

Learning and Teaching Methods

We use a range of teaching and learning methods to allow everyone to achieve their full potential. These include lectures, group discussions, small group activities, simulated client sessions and individual reflection.

Attendance in College is 3 hours a week for 30 weeks and you will be expected to devote the same amount of time (possibly more) each week to independent study. We also run afternoon workshops to support your learning.

Expert Tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of adult education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

How will I learn?

We use a range of teaching and learning methods to allow everyone to achieve their full potential. These include lectures, group discussions, small group activities, simulated client sessions and individual reflection.

Attendance in College is 3 hours a week for 30 weeks and you will be expected to devote the same amount of time (possibly more) each week to independent study. We also run afternoon workshops to support your learning.

Expert tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of adult education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

Entry Requirements

To do this programme, you will need a Level 2 Counselling qualification (having studied a minimum of 90 hours). You must also be able to undertake written and oral assessments at level 2.

The programme requires you to be at least 19 and not in a current state of severe emotional difficulty or psychological confusion, nor involved in substance misuse.

Qualification Obtained

Diploma in Counselling Skills

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

The qualification covers the following themes:

  • Developing Counselling Skills
  • Theoretical Approaches in the Use of Counselling Skills
  • Working Ethically with Counselling Skills
  • Counselling Skills and Diversity
  • Counselling Skills and Personal Development

Assessment is ongoing and by coursework only, to include a portfolio, journals and assignments. You will also need to produce a reflective journal, mapping your development.