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Counselling and Applied Psychology - HNC

Summary

The B&FC HNC Counselling & Applied Psychology provide exciting opportunities for you to study to enable you to progress to or within a role in counselling and applied psychology. This programme provides you with a platform to begin or enhance your career and incorporate both practical elements and theoretical concepts that are highly desirable in a range of roles in the sector but also gives you a strong range of transferable skills, relevant to many employment opportunities.

This programme is designed to develop you as a professional, self-reflecting individual able to meet the demands of employers and adapt to a constantly changing world. The structure of the programme includes core units which underpin your professional development.

The HNC is delivered over one day and one evening a week. Monday 9am – 6pm and Thursday 6pm – 9pm.
  • Course code SM1HE139
  • Duration 1 Year
  • Day/s of week Monday and Thursday
  • Time 09:00 - 21:00

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
08 Sep 2025
University Centre
1 Year
  • 86,694 Annual job openings in the North West
  • £25,650 Average annual salary
  • Well-resourced onsite training equipment

What Uni Reviews

Really enjoyed my time at uni, the tutors have unconditional support for all students. *****
Jessica Halliwell
Amazing course. Learnt so much, tutors are fantastic. *****
Kelly Broadbent
Tutors and HELMs are fantastic! *****
Bethany Daniels

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Student case study - Heidi

Why did you decide to study this qualification?
I chose this course because I want to work in substance abuse, supporting adults with addiction. I already work in the sector and this will enable me to progress my career and make the difference I really want to see in people's lives.

Why did you choose B&FC?
I chose B&FC as I had heard lots of good things about studying here and positive feedback.

What have been the benefits of studying here?
Socialising and meeting new people, having some much-needed time to myself and achieving my goals.

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

By successfully completing the Certificate, students will:

  • Be equipped with the attitudes and behaviours required to succeed in counselling practice.
  • Have the enhanced employability prospects and ‘work readiness’ of graduates.
  • Be ready to take part in CPD and lifelong learning for personal and professional development.

Next steps at B&FC

As part of the HND, you will have the choice to study one of two optional units, dependent on your chosen career path. This will either be ‘Counselling Young People’ or ‘Supporting Clients Experiencing Addiction’.

However, there will need to be a minimum of 6 students choosing the option, for either unit to be offered each year.

Key information

Entry Requirements

To study this course you must have one of the following:

  • A Level 3 qualification in a related subject, such as Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in Counselling Skills
  • other related Level 3 qualifications in relevant subjects such psychology, mental health or care
  • an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Humanities or Science

And

  • You must have a counselling placement for 4-6 hours per week in place before commencement of the programme
  • You will be required to provide the details for 2 references and also a recent DBS check

 

To meet BACP approval requirements, there will also be a selection process that ensures successful applicants have or have the potential to:

  • Develop self-awareness, maturity and stability
  • Reflect on life experience
  • Cope with the emotional demands of the qualification
  • Cope with the intellectual and academic requirements
  • Be aware of issues of difference and equality
  • Recognise the need for personal and professional support
  • Be able to demonstrate values, principles, personal moral qualities and ethical stances
Selection process:
  • You will be asked to prepare a written piece of 750-1000 words to demonstrate meeting or working towards these BACP requirements. This must be submitted prior to being invited for interview. Details will be provided by letter / email following our receipt of your application. If you meet the requirements at this stage, you will be invited to interview.
  • On the interview day, you will take part in a group discussion.
  • This will be followed by an individual interview where the content of your written piece and your suitability for the programme will be discussed.
  • After this process you will receive a call to either confirm your place on the programme, or to let you know that you have not been successful this time. Students who are not yet ready for the programme will be signposted to suitable opportunities which will enable them to develop so that they can achieve the above.

Qualification obtained

BTEC Higher National Certificate in Counselling and Applied Psychology

Extra costs and equipment

You will need to ensure that you have the following in place, prior to starting the programme. These costs may be supported through B&FC Access Fund, depending on your personal circumstances.

Further details are included in the Placement Handbook. Approximate costs identified for guidance.

  • Student membership of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy £86
  • Personal Indemnity Insurance £30
  • DBS check £46

You will need to have a supervisor in place when you are on placement £30-£60 per session. This should be 12 hours for the HNC and a further 9 hours for the HND.

Approximate total additional costs for the programme (assuming supervision at £40 per hour) would therefore be:

  • HNC (year 1) £642

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

You will be required to complete 100 hours of placement during the HNC and a further 70 hours whilst undertaking the HND. These hours are closely managed and regulated, with full details being described within the Placement Handbook which you must read before enrolling to the programme as it contains important information about the placement requirements.

  • Modules at level 4

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Personal and Professional Development Through Inclusive Practice SM4MD191 15 Yes
    Developing Empathic Communication for Effective Therapeutic Relationships SM4MD192 15 Yes
    Preparing for Research Person Set SM4MD193 15 Yes
    Ethical Frameworks in Counselling SM4MD194 15 Yes
    Individual Differences SM4MD195 15 Yes
    Self Awareness and Reflective Practice in Counselling SM4MD196 15 Yes
    Theoretical Perspectives in Counselling SM4MD197 15 Yes
    Digital Approaches in Caring Professions SM4MD198 15 No

Study Support - at a glance

  • Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs)
  • One-to-one and group study support sessions
  • Pre-degree preparation workshops
  • IT Support

How will I learn?

You will benefit from the expertise of the curriculum team who have excellent experience in these sectors and are also actively involved in developing the workforce of the future. Class sizes are normally small and again this is very beneficial, affording the opportunity for a tailored personal learning situation and plenty of help and support.

Learning Methods

Learning Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Scheduled 50 0 0
Independent 100 0 0
Placement 0 0 0
Total 150 0 0
Ready to take the next step? Navigate to the top of the page and click Apply Now to continue your degree-level journey.

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How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

The Higher National Certificate and Diploma are assessed using a combination of internally assessed Centre-devised internal assignments (which are set and marked by Centres) and internally assessed Pearson-set assignments (which are set by Pearson and marked by Centres).

BTEC Higher Nationals recommend a variety of forms of assessment evidence to be used, provided they are suited to the type of learning outcomes being assessed. For many units, the practical demonstration of skills is necessary and, for others, you will need to carry out their own research and analysis, working independently or as part of a team.

Summative assessment will be used to ensure all outcomes have been met for each unit, in line with Pearson regulations. The forms of summative assessment across the programme consist of essays, reports, case studies, presentations, posters and are used to support the development of cognitive skills and abilities.

The principal rationale for selecting these methods of assessment and feedback are that they are supporting your development to progress within and to their career with a range of skills. Case studies will be used to enable you to critically appraise and examine real life situations and link these to theory. The application of conceptual and theoretical knowledge and perspectives to real life situations will allow you to critically analyse and evaluate material, produce findings and make further recommendations.

You must also successfully complete the placement requirements to pass this programme.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 100% 0% 0%
Exam 0% 0% 0%
Practical 0% 0% 0%