BA (Hons) Counselling

A Minimum of 64 UCAS Points from one or more of the following:

• At least two A-levels
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma/Subsidiary Diploma/Certificate
• BTEC National Award/Certificate/Diploma
• T-Level Technical Qualification 
• International Baccalaureate
• Access to Higher Education Diploma (minimum 15 credits at Merit or above)
• GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C / Grade 4 or above OR a Level 2 equivalent such as Functional Skills.

For any international qualifications not identified above the HE Admission Team will determine equivalences through UKENIC. 

Ideally, you will have GCSE English and Maths at Grade 4 or above (or equivalent). If not, please contact our Admissions Team to discuss your options

Exceptional entry: 

Applications for advanced entry, credit transfer or recognition of prior learning will be considered in line with the awarding body's Accreditation of Prior Learning policy. 

Mature applicants who do not meet the standard entry requirements but have relevant qualifications, professional experience or voluntary experience are encouraged to apply. You will need to demonstrate by interview exceptional entry portfolio (this is likely to include evidence of paid or unpaid work experience) and/or written assessment that you are suitable for the course. Suitability for the course may be assessed through an interview, portfolio and/or written assessment. For advice about your application, please contact HEAdmissions@southessex.ac.uk. 

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service): 

An enhanced DBS check is required for this programme and must be paid for by the student. The current cost is £49.50. Applicants who have lived overseas will be required to provide a criminal record check or certificate of good conduct from their country or countries of residence before starting the course. Further information about the DBS process including how and when to apply, will be provided by the University.

Contact hours: 13 hours per week over two days plus independent study (suggested 30 hours per week).

You are taught through a combination of lectures seminars and workshops which enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of the disciplines of Counselling and all professional aspects pertaining to the counselling industry.

A range of appropriate facilities including the library and online learning resources the Learning Resource Centre and the Forum supports your independent learning. 

You will receive: 

• Ongoing feedback as part of your one-to-one sessions with your unit teachers,
• Summative feedback on all formal assessments undertaken by coursework. 

Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your unit leader. Feedback can be given in a variety of ways in order to accommodate a variety of learning styles and aptitudes including group critiques, recorded verbal feedback and written feedback. 

Feedback on the Final Major Project/Dissertation module in Year Three of study is provided throughout and through supervision meetings as scheduled.

Work placements:

Minimum of 100 Hours Voluntary Placement Counselling in an approved Counselling Agency Mandatory requirement. In year two there is a requirement for 25 to 50 hours to be completed subject to successful completion of the Fitness To Practice module in Year one. A further 75 hours are re- quired in Year three these numbers ensure that successful graduates will be well positioned to achieve full membership of an appropriate regulatory body such as BACP or NCS.

Personal therapy:

You are also required to undertake 30 hours of personal therapy during the programme with a minimum of 10 hours of personal therapy to be completed during the first year prior to starting placement in year 2. You will be required to become student members of The BACP (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy) and to maintain personal indemnity insurance in line with industry requirements.

The cost of this course is £9,790 for 2027 entry. The course is eligible for funding through Student Loans England, subject to status.

Fees are per academic year for Home/UK students.

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

• A sum towards clinical supervision. A sum towards appropriate personal indemnity insurance. A sum towards required membership of an industry regulatory body
• You will receive an allocation of pages for printing. Once you have used your allocation, you need to charge up your account with more pages
• Initial DBS check

Additional professional requirements and costs:

Students studying counselling are required to obtain membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and to hold appropriate professional indemnity insurance. The associated costs vary and are payable by the student; further guidance is available from the course team.

Students on the BA (Hons) Counselling programme must also complete a minimum of 30 hours of personal therapy across the duration of the course (10 hours per academic year). Students are responsible for meeting the full cost of this requirement. Costs are in the region of £40 per hour.

In addition, counselling students are required to engage in regular counselling supervision. The cost of supervision is payable by the student and typically ranges from approximately £50 to £80 per session.

Students on the BA (Hons) Counselling programme receive an annual £500 bursary towards these costs.

Students can progress onto postgraduate programmes including:

• MA Counselling
• MA Psychotherapy and Counselling
• MSc Therapeutic Counselling
• MSc Counselling Children and Young People
• MSc Psychology
• MSc Psychological Research Graduate destinations

When you have graduated you will be able to pursue a number of different career options including:

• Counsellors in a variety of settings including Schools, Charitable Organisations, Women’s Refuges, Mental Health Agencies
• Teaching

The majority of students have gained full-time employment following graduation.

Full Time