Course overview
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This is an award of Teesside University delivered in partnership with Darlington College (01325 503030). The course runs at the college, not at Teesside University days and times to be confirmed.
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
A Therapeutic Framework for Working with Diversity
This module will prepare you to work in a diverse, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society. You are introduced to the relationship between working within a framework of anti-discriminatory practice, applying a theoretical base and integrating knowledge of ethical and legal responsibilities to client work. You reflect on your personal experience and issues around your practice as a counsellor when dealing with complex situations. You will develop your skills and reflective abilities in relation to responding to personal, moral, ethical and legal dimensions within the therapeutic relationship.
Client Issues in Therapeutic Practice
Client Issues in Therapeutic Practice introduces you to the theoretical concepts associated with diverse client issues and consider different theoretical responses to a range of client issues, linking theoretical knowledge to practice. The focus will be to consider the most appropriate approach to use when dealing with specific issues and concerns.
Counselling Research introduces you to the relationship between theory, research and practice through consideration of a range of research methods appropriate to counselling. You develop an enhanced ability to critically evaluate research papers and articles, skills in research design and the confidence necessary to conduct a small scale empirically-based research study.
You will write a dissertation on an aspect of counselling of particular interest to your practice. Once a proposal has been agreed you will be assigned a dissertation tutor for regular tutorial support. The topic must have a clear relevance to the work of the counsellor and will be based on a small scale piece of field research.
Theory and Practice of Group Counselling
Theory and Practice of Group Counselling introduces you to the competencies required for working in therapeutic groups. It does not provide training to work as a group therapist but instead highlights the complexities of working therapeutically with groups. You examine basic elements of the group process, theoretical approaches to group counselling, integration and application. You consider group leadership including recognising diversity in groups, ethical and professional issues, and stages in the development of a group, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural and person-centred perspectives of group work, goals of counselling groups and the evolution of a group.
Modules offered may vary.
How you are assessed
To achieve the BA (Hons) Degree in Therapeutic Counselling candidates need to both demonstrate a high level of academic competence and the ability to think critically about their own counselling practice. This is achieved through a variety of written academic assignments, oral presentations, observation and reflection of practice together with a research dissertation exploring a topic relevant to their practice.
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
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Find out more about financial support
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Entry requirements
2027-28 entry requirements
For Clearing 2026 entry requirements, please refer to the information in the box above.
Entry requirements are an NQF Level 5 Foundation degree in Counselling or an equivalent qualification. Any candidate who has already completed a research study as part of a different degree programme at level 5 or above and who has a NQF level 4 Diploma in Counselling may be considered for entry onto the programme.
Due to the nature of the programme candidates will need to provide written references from two sources. One of these should be an academic reference with the other being their clinical advisor in order to demonstrate their appropriateness to undertake and cope with the academic requirements. Levels of maturity and commitment to the course and professional development will be evaluated from reference material and during the interview process. The BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice supports equality of opportunity whilst recognising responsibility and change as an on-going process. During the application process the counselling team will be referring to the ethical principles of counselling and the course fitness to practice policy to promote open and honest dialogue.
Because this course is taught at Darlington College, we are not accepting applications from international students requiring a Student Visa.
When applying through UCAS, make sure that you indicate your point of entry as Year 3.
Suitable candidates will be invited for interview.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements.
We cannot accept applications from international students requiring a student visa.
You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
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Employability
Career opportunities
Possible progress would be on to postgraduate degree courses. Successful candidates may also wish to pursue British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy accreditation.