FdA Counselling

Programme Description

The foundation degree is a two year full-time or three years part-time course, leading to a qualification in therapeutic counselling.

The course is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). As such, this course is monitored by BACP and meets their training standards.

You will need to either complete the foundation degree full-time as well as the BA or complete the foundation degree part-time over three years in order to be on the BACP accredited programme.

At a Glance

Full Time / Part Time

Two days full time over two years or one day a week part time over three years. Both require a 100 hour supervised counselling placement. 20 hours of personal therapy also required.

Ammanford Campus

Programme Features

The foundation degree is intended for those wishing to qualify as counsellors. You will need to complete 100-150 hours of supervised practice in a suitable counselling placement in order to gain a BACP accredited counselling qualification. Counselling practice needs to be face-to-face counselling with adults (minimum 30%) or children and young people (maximum 70%).

Students are required to have a minimum of 20 hours personal therapy.

Programme Content

The foundation degree covers four main areas:

Counselling theory: looking critically at the ideas behind counselling
Counselling practice and professional issues: core ethical, equal opportunity, professional and practice issues including working online
Clinical practice: counselling placement
Personal development: developing self-awareness and understanding responses to others

Progression & Employment

Students can progress to the BA in counselling.

Students from this course have also gone on to gain employment in different counselling settings such as school-based counselling services and bereavement services as well as working in private practice.

Method of Assessment

Continuous assessment including:

Reflective journal summaries
Essays on theory
Case studies
Individual and group presentations
Video recordings of work with other students and audio recordings of work with clients
Portfolio of evidence of placement work

Entry Requirements

This course requires:

CPCAB level two award in introduction to counselling skills (30 hours) or equivalent
Students will normally have completed introductory training within five years prior to application to the foundation degree
An enhanced disclosure and barring scheme check
Two references

Students who have experienced recent traumas or bereavements, or who are considered by the tutors to be too vulnerable at present may be advised to postpone their entry onto the course. Applicants will need to show evidence of self-awareness and the ability to reflect on life experience as well as have the capacity to cope with the emotional and academic demands of the course

Additional Costs

Enhanced DBS - £46

Supervision costs (once in placement) £50-£65 per month (if not provided for free by placements)

Personal therapy - 20 sessions minimum £30 - £40 per session

Away days- two to three over the course at £15 a day

BACP student membership - £82 per annum

Books - the library is well resourced and carries the majority of books required for your course, but some students may wish to own copies of core texts.

Graduate Attributes Framework

This Framework aims to develop your professional skills and competence alongside your academic subject knowledge. You’ll study up to 40 credits per level throughout your programme from the Graduate Attributes Framework. The Graduate Attribute modules are designed to enable you to develop, and evidence, a range of career-focused skills related to your subject area. These skills include digital competency, research and project management, as well as such personal competencies as communication, creativity, self-reflection, resilience and problem-solving.

Find out more about the Graduate Attributes Framework