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Undergraduate study
Therapeutic Counselling (Top-up)

Therapeutic Counselling (Top-up) BA (Hons)

This course aims to provide further development opportunities for counsellors and to meet continuing professional development requirements. You acquire a sound theoretical framework, and develop practitioner skills by reflecting on your practice and undertaking relevant research.

 

C895 BA/TCoun

 
  • Study at the top North East uni for student experience (Teaching Excellence Framework 2023).
 

Course overview

This is an award of Teesside University delivered in partnership with Stockton Riverside College (01642 865400). The course runs at the college, not at Teesside University days and times to be confirmed.

Download pdf Order prospectus

 

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

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.

Dissertation

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.
Find out more about our disability services

Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs

 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

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 Stockton Riverside 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


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.
Find out more about RPL

 

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.

 
 

Full-time

Entry to 2025-26 academic year

Fee for UK applicants
£9,535 a year

* Subject to passing of legislation expected in early 2025.

More details about our fees


What is included in your tuition fee?

  • Length: 1 year
  • UCAS code: C895 BA/TCoun
  • Start date: September
  • Semester dates
  • Typical offer: Foundation degree or HND

Apply online (full-time) through UCAS

 

Part-time

2025-26 entry

Fee for UK applicants
£4,635 (120 credits)

* Subject to passing of legislation expected in early 2025.

More details about our fees

  • Length: 2 years
  • Attendance: 1 day a week
  • Start date: September
  • Semester dates

Apply online (part-time)

 

Choose Teesside

 
 

Get in touch

UK students

Email: ssshladmissions@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: 01642 738801


Online chat (general enquiries)

 

Open days and events

Sat

18

Jan

Undergraduate open day

9.00am - 3.00pm

On campus


Book now

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