• a minimum of 48 UCAS tariff points; or • completion of a Level 3 qualification in Counselling.
Applicants who do not hold formal qualifications but have significant relevant knowledge and experience may be considered individually.
Applicants will be invited to an interview to consider their readiness for the academic, reflective, ethical and professional demands of counselling study.
A Disclosure and Barring Service check is not a formal entry requirement. However, you must obtain a satisfactory DBS check before undertaking any placement or practice-based activity. You should be aware that criminal convictions, including spent convictions, may significantly restrict the placements available to you and could affect future employment and professional membership opportunities.
Course Fee:
£9525.00
Start date:
Sep 2026
Course Overview
The FdA Counselling Studies is a two-year, full-time foundation degree for people who want to develop their counselling knowledge, practical skills and professional awareness.
You will explore counselling theories, therapeutic relationships, mental health, human development and research. The programme places a strong emphasis on ethical practice, self-awareness, reflective development and the practical application of counselling skills.
Course Overview
You will develop your understanding of:
• counselling theories and therapeutic approaches; • practical communication and counselling skills; • therapeutic relationships and professional boundaries; • personal awareness and reflective practice; • the BACP Ethical Framework and its application to counselling practice; • supervision, safeguarding, fitness to practise and ethical decision-making; • mental health, wellbeing and human development; • working sensitively with people from different backgrounds and with diverse needs; and • research methods and the use of evidence within counselling practice.
All modules are compulsory and worth 20 credits.
Year 1 modules: • Personal and Academic Development • Counselling Skills • Counselling Theories • Developing Counselling Skills in Clinical Practice • Foundations of Secondary Research for Counselling Practice • Mental Health and Wellbeing Year 2 modules: • Continuing Personal Development and Professional Practice • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy • Models of Practice • Research Methods in Counselling • Psychosocial Approaches to Abnormal Health Conditions • Developmental Psychology
Additional Information
Ethical and professional practice is embedded throughout the programme. You will study and apply the BACP Ethical Framework, including its expectations relating to professional conduct, safeguarding, supervision, reflective practice, professional boundaries and fitness to practise.
East Lancashire Learning Group holds organisational accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. BACP Organisational Accreditation is a recognised quality standard relating to the delivery and management of counselling and psychotherapy services. It does not mean that the FdA Counselling Studies is a BACP-accredited training course.
Students may choose to apply for BACP student membership, subject to meeting BACP’s eligibility requirements and paying any applicable membership fee. Membership may provide access to professional guidance, research, resources and continuing professional development opportunities.
Following successful completion of the FdA, graduates who meet BACP’s eligibility requirements may apply for individual membership. As the programme is not a BACP-accredited course, graduates would normally also need to pass BACP’s Certificate of Proficiency before applying to join the BACP Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
BACP membership, the Certificate of Proficiency and registration are separate from the academic award. They are not automatic and remain subject to BACP’s requirements at the time of application.
Students who complete 120 credits at Level 4 but do not complete the full foundation degree may be eligible for a Certificate of Higher Education as an alternative exit award.
Information about any additional costs associated with the DBS check, travel to placement and professional membership will be provided before enrolment.
This programme is validated by Liverpool John Moores University. Upon completion of the programme, one certificate will be issued by LJMU. Upon completion of the programme, a graduation ceremony will be arranged by East Lancashire UC. Learn more about this course in the LJMU course catalogue: link to be confirmed in September 2026.
The fees for our courses are: • Full time – £9,525 per year • Part Time – £4,763 per year
The course fees are payable to East Lancashire Learning Group.
How is the course delivered?
The course is studied full-time over two years and is delivered face-to-face at Accrington Campus.
Teaching and learning activities include: • lectures and seminars; • practical workshops and counselling skills practice; • simulated counselling sessions and role play; • group discussions and reflective activities; • case studies and presentations; • individual and group tutorials; • independent reading and research; and • work-based placement learning.
You will be expected to participate actively in practical activities, personal reflection and group learning.
Work-based learning is an important part of the programme. You will undertake a suitable counselling placement within a statutory, private or voluntary organisation or service provider. Placement activity will be supported through supervision, reflection and monitoring by the programme team.
How my learning will be assessed?
Assessment takes place throughout the programme and includes academic, practical and reflective work.
Assessment methods include:
• essays and written reports; • reflective portfolios and reviews; • practical counselling skills assessments; • observed role play; • case studies; • individual and poster presentations; • seminar discussions; • research-based assignments; • placement and competency records; and • a seen examination.
Most modules are assessed through coursework and practical activities. The Counselling Theories module includes a two-hour seen examination.
You will receive formative feedback through tutorials, classroom activities, skills observations and discussions with tutors and peers before completing your final assessments.
Course Facilities
Students have access to:
• dedicated counselling pods for practising counselling skills; • teaching rooms suitable for lectures, seminars, discussion and role play; • library facilities and a designated higher education study area; • individual study pods; • computers and digital learning resources; • books, journals and online research materials; • Moodle for course resources, assessment information, submission and feedback; • Microsoft Teams for communication and online support; • a dedicated higher education common room; and • academic, careers, wellbeing and student support services.
Potential Careers
The programme can support progression into counselling-related employment, voluntary work, further professional training or higher-level study.
Relevant areas may include: • counselling and wellbeing services; • mental health and emotional support services; • community and voluntary organisations; • education and student support; • health and social care services; and • family and relationship support.
Graduates may also apply to progress to the BA (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy (Top-Up), subject to meeting the programme’s entry requirements and its continued availability.
Completion of the programme does not guarantee entry to a particular job, professional register or further course. Employers, universities and professional bodies may set additional requirements, including further qualifications, supervised practice, professional registration or an appropriate DBS certificate.
