BSc Honours Counselling & Psychotherapy Upgrade Course

Upgrade students enter the degree programme in year three and receive exemption from year one and year two modules. Please note: All applicants must have successfully completed an accredited Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy to be eligible for the Upgrade Programme.

YEAR 3

• Psychodynamic Approaches: The Role of the Unconscious in Psychotherapy
• Research Project
• Personal & Professional Integration
• Group Supervision

YEAR 4
One Optional Module from:

• Advanced Humanistic Psychotherapy
• Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy

and:

• Case Study
• Thesis

LEADING TO THE AWARD OF: MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY
BSc (HONS) COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY

Assessment: Assignments.There are no formal examinations, giving students more opportunities to concentrate on their assignments and their own self-exploration throughout their journey. 

All PCI College Lecturers are highly qualified, experienced individuals who hold a minimum of a Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy and are practising Counsellors accredited with the IACP. Many hold MSc's in specialist fields. 

Students are supported through the degree programmes by our Core Tutors, making this a truly unique adult education experience.
Since our foundation we have taken the steps necessary to ensure the delivery of a quality service in an environment that is characterised by an attitude to adult learners that is supportive and encouraging. We aim to provide an experience of learning that will develop in students a hunger for reflective and critical analysis.

Our learning programmes are designed to be participative, experiential and to draw whenever possible on prior lived experience. The academic value of programmes is enhanced by a learning environment that is warm, transparent, and genuine. Learners and staff interact in a mutual effort to engage in and promote the concept of lifelong learning.

Our Core Tutors take a holistic view of the student. They provide support through one-to-one and group sessions for students facing academic and non-academic problems. In co-operation with our lecturers, and other college departments, they monitor student participation in professional degree programmes including academic assignments, clinical work, and personal development.

For a full list of our Core Training Staff, please click here.

Fees: 

Year 1: €4,200* (plus Middlesex University Registration Fee €1,100)
Year 2: €2,950

*Please note that fees include a €20 charge for Garda vetting process which is required prior to course entry. 

PCI College has a monthly Direct Debit Plan. Please note that there is an extra charge of €100 for this option. Direct Debit Plan will be available soon.

Application Process
Applicants should complete the online application form including the Initial Deposit of €250, which is deductible from course fees if the application is successful. Applicants are entitled to a full refund of the Initial Deposit if they decide to cancel within 14 days of receipt of their application. Should an application be unsuccessful, or if the application is cancelled by the applicant following this 14 day period, an administration fee of €60 is charged and the balance of €190 refunded. Please note that the name used on your application needs to be the same name that you have on your passport.

Applicants will be requested to provide the following additional items with the application:

1. Copy of Core Course Prospectus / Core Course Outline
2. Transcript of Results of all assessments / examinations
3. Copy of all relevant qualifications
4. Completed Course Comparison Form
5. Letter from counsellor to verify 50 hours of personal therapy
6. Letter from supervisor to verify 100 hours of client work

Intake interviews will be arranged for suitable applicants. Applicants who are offered a place will be required to confirm acceptance in writing accompanied by a Booking Deposit of €1,000. When an Applicant has accepted a place all tuition fees, including deposits, shall be fully non-refundable in all personal circumstances.

Any year one or year two module that was not exempted must be taken as a catch-up module - there are additional fees for required modules. 

Eligibility: 

Entry is by application form and interview.

Applicants must have completed:

• A Certificate course in counselling skills or equivalent e.g. in-service training with a substantial counselling element and
• A diploma with counselling and psychotherapy at its core.

Upgrade students enter the degree programme in year three and receive exemption from year one and year two modules. Any year one or year two module that was not exempted must be taken as a catch up module.  Please note: All applicants must have successfully completed an accredited Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy to be eligible for the Upgrade Programme.

Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on application.

Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course. Workshops including essay skills will be provided to assist with the practicalities of written work. These workshops are currently provided free and attendance is mandatory.

In years 3 & 4 as degree students become more independent learners, tutorials, seminar, and career development sessions will be provided. Students will meet with a Core Tutor, who will be a core lecturer on their programme, twice a year to discuss progression and engagement in a supportive capacity.

Can I get accredited with the IACP after completing this course?
Students entering the Upgrade programme should have already completed their professional qualification. If you are looking for accreditation with the IACP, you would need to enter the programme at Year 1 or Year 2.

Can I get exemptions for third and fourth year modules?
No Middlesex University do not allow any exemptions in Year 3 or 4.

What level on the NFQ is the course?
The BSc (Hons) in Counselling & Psychotherapy is awarded by Middlesex University and is therefore on the UK National Framework. It is Level 6 FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) - comparable to Level 8 on the NFQ. For comparibility on various awards, please see here www.naric.ie

Does the BSc programme allow you access to progress your qualification to another level e.g. Masters or Doctorate?
Yes