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Counselling

at Riverside College

Award

FdSc

Study option

Location

Riverside College

Apply now

The Foundation Degree in Counselling will provide in depth professional training in counselling skills and theory.

This programme aims to provide a stimulating learning environment where you will develop a sound understanding of professional, legal and ethical issues. Increasing self-awareness and personal development are also an integral part of the course.

Successful completion of this course means that you have achieved qualified practitioner status and will be eligible for employment as counsellors. Graduates will have the opportunity to complete a BSc (Hons) Counselling at Riverside College.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: FdSc Counselling

Part-time study

This award can be studied on a one-day per week basis or a two evening per week basis

Course content

Alongside the core theoretical models of Person-Centred, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, you will have the opportunity to study several alternative aspects of counselling theory, these include: Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Transactional Analysis and Gestalt. You will examine professional issues in relation to working with clients and you will also develop skills in case formulation and working with mental health issues.

You will be provided with the opportunity to practise counselling skills in a safe and facilitative environment. The personal development aspect of the course looks at developing an understanding of self and the group process.

Emphasis is on the work based element of the award. This focuses upon the development and application of a range of work based competences and will prepare you to make the transition from learner to counsellor. Work placement is an integral part of the Foundation Degree in Counselling. 100 supervised placement hours will be completed in years 2 and 3.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Counselling Skills 1	20 credits
Develop A Theoretical Base 1 - Counselling Models And The Integrative Approach	20 credits
Personal Development For Counsellers 1 - Understanding Of Self	40 credits

Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Counselling Placement	40 credits
Counselling Skills 2	20 credits
Personal Development For Counsellors 2 - The Group Process	20 credits
Professional Issues For Counsellors 1 - Preparing For Work In Placement	20 credits
Professional Issues For Counsellors 2 - Case Formulation And Mental Health	20 credits

Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Develop A Theoretical Base 3 - Further Development In Counselling Theory	20 credits
Professional Issues For Counsellors 3 - Setting Up In Professional Practice	20 credits

Location

You will study at Riverside College but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.

Riverside College prides itself as a centre of vocational excellence. They have a simple ambition: We want you to reach your full potential during your valuable time with us.

Riverside College website

Entry requirements

Level 3 Certificate in Counselling (or relevant subject).

GCSE English Language C or above, (or equivalent).

Successful applicants will need an enhanced satisfactory current DBS and provide two references (one from an academic source).

International entry requirements

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

Careers

As a fully qualified practitioner, graduates will be equipped to gain employment as professional counsellors in this growing industry. Successful graduates may also wish to set up their own professional counselling practice.

On completion of this Foundation Degree graduates will have the opportunity to top up to a full BSc (Hons) Counselling degree at Riverside College by undertaking an additional study year.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We know that our students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical sessions. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor (or equivalent) at least twice a year to help support you in your studies. You will be taught in high-quality learning spaces throughout your course, and of course will have access to virtual learning environments to enhance your learning opportunities. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module will give you a variety of opportunities to receive informal feedback from your tutor. These may include classroom discussions, discussions in the virtual learning environment, presentations, milestone assessments, and practice assessments. Informal feedback is developmental and any grades you may receive for these do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on formal coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats, including one-to-one discussions with your tutor. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Staff

Staff have a wealth of counselling experience and come from a variety of therapeutic backgrounds. Each member of staff is committed to fully supporting your progress and successful achievement on this course.

Fees

When studied part time, the duration of the course and the amount of fees you’ll pay each year depends on the speed at which you wish to progress through it. This is called the ‘intensity of study’. The usual study pattern on this programme enables you to complete modules totalling 60 credits in your first year of study. This would be equivalent to studying at 50 per cent course intensity.

If you follow this pattern of study you will complete the course in six years. You will pay the pro rata (equivalent) fee shown for your first year of study. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX*. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any increase as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

*RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Apply now to Counselling

Applications are not currently open for this course.

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.