During the course you will study a range of topics including:• 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 feedback

The 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.

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to apply for the Level 4 Diploma in Counselling CPCAB accredited course which qualifies you to practice as a counsellor in an Agency setting.

• You must have undertaken and proficiently passed a Level 2 counselling skills training course, e.g. our Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or an equivalent qualification of at least 75 Guided Learning Hours from another institution that has included the weekly face-to-face practice of counselling skills for the duration of the course; or, in exceptional circumstances, be working 1:1 in a helping capacity, e.g. as part of a mental health team and already hold a Level 3 qualification in another subject.
• You must have GCSE English Language Grade 4 ( C) or above. If English is not your first language, you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed at your studies, and you must hold an IELTS 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking or equivalent
• Minimum candidate age 19 years old
• Ability to translate intra-personal experience into language
• Able to benefit from self-development and evidence personal insight
• Emotional stability*
• Ability to form a counselling relationship
• Awareness of difference and diversity
• Able to cope with course content**
• Identify reasons for training beyond just personal development
• Be motivated towards developing as a counselling practitioner
*This qualification is not suitable for those who are currently in a state of severe emotional difficulty and/or severe psychological distress.
**The nature of this course involves experiential elements that will involve some personal disclosure and associated personal developmental activities.
Disclaimer: Please note that if an applicant has experienced a significant life event in the last 12 months, the college has the right to refuse the application and will recommend deferring due to the demands of the course. This can be discussed at the interview.

Due to a technical issue, fee information is not displaying correctly below. The actual programme fees are £1,500. 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.

CPCAB Certificate in Applied Counselling Studies Level 3
In addition, the CAST level earns double the UCAS points of the previous L3 qualification (CST L3) ; CAST earns 20 (CST only 12) CAST earns 16 UCAS points (CST only 8)