Introduction to Basic Counselling Skills

Award

Study option

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

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Expert academics

Research under professionals who are experts in their field

Study in our £30m Science Centre

Enjoy specialist laboratories with the latest equipment

Bespoke Facilities

Taught in our dedicated counselling facilities

This ten week course provides an introduction to basic counselling skills and personal development.

The course is suited for people who have little or no counselling experience who are interested in developing their counselling-related skills to either enhance their work or as the starting point for further training in counselling.

Please note that this course will run according to minimum student numbers.

Our counselling lecturers are all fully qualified and practising counsellors with a wide range of experience and an enthusiasm for counselling training.
Our counselling courses are taught in our dedicated counselling facilities, these include a specialist base training room and three purpose designed counselling rooms with the latest audio / video recording facilities.
Our facilities also include a state of the art video and observation suite, plus other psychological research laboratories, housed in a £30 million Science Centre.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: - Introduction to Basic Counselling Skills

Duration

This is a 10 week course, taking place on Thursday mornings from 9.30-12.30.

Weeks 1-4 and week 10 will be delivered on campus in the Science Building, Leek Road, while
Weeks 5-9 will be delivered online

Course content

The Introduction to Basic Counselling Skills course is a vibrant, experiential insight into developing an understanding of a range of counselling theories, emotional development and practical skills. The course prides itself on a student centred method of learning through self-reflection and self-awareness.

The Introduction to Basic Counselling Skills provides students with smooth transition onto future training in the form of the Certificate in Counselling but also aims to develop and enhance students’ existing skills base.

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this course. Applicants should be interested in developing their basic counselling skills to enhance their work or to progress to future counselling training.

International entry requirements

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

International entry requirements in 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.

Check your country information

Facilities

Science Centre

Our £30 million Science Centre in Stoke-on-Trent contains specialist laboratories with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. Read more

Find out more about our Science Centre Facilities.

Counselling Suite

The counselling suite contains four cubicles for practising counselling skills or conducting interviews with participants, and a base room for teaching and peer observation of counselling sessions. Read more

Find out more about our Counselling Suite.

Careers

Successful completion of this course provides a Certificate of Attendance that can be used to apply for further training in counselling. After completing the Introduction to Basic Counselling Skills course, students typically progress to our University Certificate in Counselling

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Open Day

Wednesday 25 November 2026

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Teaching and assessment

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Fees

Fees information is currently unavailable.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning.

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Apply now to Introduction to Basic Counselling Skills

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.