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Course code: P04807
Subject area: Counselling
Study level: Part Time
Course level:
Course time:
17:30 - 21:30
Days of week:
Thursday
Course date:
10th Sept 2026 - 13th May 2027
Course location:
Witney CampusThe CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Applied Counselling Studies (CAST-L3) is mapped to the BACP Counselling Skills Competence Framework and is a BACP-recognised qualification. It also holds NCPS Recognised Qualification status (CPCAB CST-L3) from the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). CAST earns double the UCAS points of the previous L3 qualification (CST L3): 16–20 points for CAST vs. 8–12 for CST.
Tutors are practising counsellors with a passion for maintaining professional standards and nurturing student growth. The course is grounded in the Person-centred Approach at Levels 3 and 4. Other modalities are introduced to broaden understanding, although only Person-centred skills are used in practice sessions. The course enhances counselling skills for use in allied professions, builds on Level 2 learning, and prepares students for the Level 4 Professional Diploma in Counselling.
The qualification is aimed at those who have completed a recognised counselling qualification and wish to deepen their knowledge of counselling theory, ethics, and mental health; use skills in allied professions; and prepare for eventual practice as an agency-based professional counsellor (post-Level 4).
The course includes weekly 4-hour face-to-face classes, a full-day (7-hour) induction, and 23 optional one-hour weekly online drop-in sessions for project report tutorials. Peer support is a key element, with group work central to the learning experience.
• Preparing to work within an ethical framework for counselling• Understanding the counselling relationship• Working with difference and diversity issues to develop empathic understanding• Practising within a user-centred approach to Counselling• Using counselling theory to develop self-awareness in counselling practice• Understanding theories of counselling and mental health• Delivering and responding to feedback, reflection and supervision to support counselling studies
There is a minimum expectation of three to six hours per week for the time spent completing homework tasks and independent study. This is likely to fluctuate at key points during the course, such as before the external reflective review exam paper and when working on assignments.To achieve the Applied Counselling Studies Level 3 Certificate, learners must be assessed as proficient in all of the mandatory learning units and must be assessed as proficient in both internal and external assessments.The course has three formal assessment elements and candidates need to be proficient in all to pass the course:• External Reflective Review exam• Report and presentation• Portfolio of evidence, which will involve a variety of documents including assignments, reviews of your learning and feedbackThe expectation from CPCAB is that learners have a minimum of 80-85% attendance and it is essential learners are able to attend the first session.
Validated by the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB). More information: www.cpcab.co.uk.
Please note that international tuition fees will be considerably more.
Additional Costs• a variety of textbooks are available in the College and online. However, students may wish to purchase their own copies. Prices of core text books range from £15-55. As part of your course, we may organise trips to assist you with your learning. Trips are optional, and you will not be penalised if you choose not to participate. Bursaries may also be available to cover the cost of some trips.
Your course fee includes candidate registration with the CPCAB and your first attempt at the external assessment. If a re-sit of an external assessment is required, you will be responsible for meeting the cost of the re-sit at the rate charged by the CPCAB at the time.
There are bursaries available to help you with other course costs. Call 01235 216 212 for more information.
Funding is available for this course. However, there may be a shortfall which you will be required to pay. The rules on fee reduction are complicated, and we would encourage you to talk to our Admissions staff on 01235 555 585 to discuss your options. You can find more information on our Fees and Bursaries page - search "Fees and Bursaries" at the top of the page.
As part of your course we may organise trips to assist you with your learning. Trips are optional, and you will not be penalised if you choose not to participate.
There are bursaries available to help you with other course costs. Call 01235 216 212 for more information.
The rules on fee reduction are complicated and we would encourage you to talk to our Admissions staff on 01235 216 400 to discuss your options. You can find more information on our Fees and Bursaries page - search "Fees and Bursaries" at the top of the page.
£1,500.00








