DURATION: Two years, part-time    START DATE: September 7th 2024

Please note that Inductions will be held the week before the start date. You will receive full details with your timetable following your acceptance.

AWARD: Middlesex University BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy

This programme is quality assured by Middlesex University and you will receive a Middlesex award on successful completion.

LEVEL: Level 6 FHEQ (Comparable to Level 8 NFQ)

FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) is the UK National Framework of Qualifications.

TIMETABLE: 

Belfast - Weekend Course - Starts 7th September 2024

Please note that BSc Upgrade course is not designed for professional accreditation.  Students who wish to gain professional accreditation with the IACP or another professional body will need to enter the BSc degree course at Year 1 or Year 2 in order to complete the requirements for accreditation.

Upgrade students enter the degree programme in year three and receive an 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: 90 credits (equivalent to 45 ECTS credits) 

• Early Psychodynamic Perspectives: The Unconscious Mind 
• Professional Competence: Research Methodologies in Counselling & Psychotherapy 
• Professional Development: The Integrative Therapist 

YEAR 4: 90 credits (equivalent to 45 ECTS credits) 

• One elective theories module to be chosen:
  • Advanced Humanistic
  • Advanced CBT
  • Advanced Psychodynamics
• Professional Competence: Thesis
• Professional Development: Clinical Placement Case Study

ASSESSMENT: Assignments

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

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 an 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 the application.

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.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Send in Complete Application Form and Deposit (Online / Hard Copy)
• 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

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

All candidates are required to satisfy the English language requirement. Candidates whose first language is not English and who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate may satisfy the requirement through the completion of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) on the basis that they obtain a minimum band score of 6 at the undergraduate level and 6.5 at postgraduate level or an equivalent score of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or Cambridge, which denotes a very good skill level of English. It should be noted that these are the minimum requirements in English and PCI College may set higher requirements in each case.

GARDA VETTING

Students will be requested to participate in Garda Vetting procedures in relation to programme and accreditation requirements.

IT SKILLS: students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course

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 the application.

Counselling is a fulfilling career and can change your life as well as others. People who become counsellors are genuinely interested in human behaviour and have a strong desire to help others improve their mental well-being. They are also skilled at interacting with people on a personal level while maintaining a professional relationship.

Students who graduate from the BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy Upgrade programme should be qualified from the previous course prior to entry. Graduates pursue a wide variety of career options including private practice and the provision of counselling services to voluntary, community and statutory organisations. Many graduates continue their professional development with courses of study in specialist areas, including CPD certificates, workshops and postgraduate programmes. The majority of graduates work towards full professional accreditation with an organisation, such as the IACP. 

ACCREDITATION

The IACP provides standards of practice, professional identification, education/training and regulation for the counselling and psychotherapy profession in Ireland. The Upgrade course is for people who are already qualified. This course does not give accreditation.

Professional accreditation is an important requirement for those wishing to practice as professional therapists in Ireland. In the absence of Government regulation of the profession, accreditation bodies such as the IACP provide standards of practice which give reassurance on training quality and ethical conduct to individuals and organisations seeking professional counselling services. While government regulation is planned and the process to structure regulation has begun, it may yet take some time before this is completed and implemented.  In the meantime, the IACP and other recognised accreditation bodies will continue to set and monitor the standards of best practice and professional training for therapists in Ireland. Full details on IACP Accreditation can be found here.

VALIDATION

PCI College has been providing its BSc (Honours) Counselling & Psychotherapy since 1997.  Our university validated programmes are developed, delivered and assessed by PCI College and awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University.  A qualification from Middlesex University London is internationally recognised both within the EU and outside the EU.  (Brexit negotiations will have no impact on these facts.)

FEES

Year 1: £4,340*  (Includes all academic and administration costs and charges)
Year 2: £3,360

*Please note that there is an additional charge of £20 for the Garda vetting process which is required prior to course entry and it is not included in the above fees.

PAYMENT PLAN

PCI College has a monthly Direct Debit Plan. Please note that this plan will operate by Direct Debit only and is inclusive of a £100.00 administration fee.  Each student must pass the Summer Progression Board of each year to enable them to move into the next year of study. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should complete the online application form including the Initial Deposit of £80, 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.  Applications should be completed in full and returned with the appropriate deposit for the programme of choice. Any deposit paid is deductible from the programme fees if the applicant is successful in securing a place on the programme. Applicants are entitled to a full refund of the initial deposit if they decide to cancel within 14 days of receipt of their application, and haven't attended the interview. If the cancellation is before the programme commences, any monies held will be left on account for use for the next course intake. Any monies left on the account exceeding this timeframe will be forfeited. Please note that the name used on your application needs to be the same name that you have on your passport.

Intake interviews will be arranged for suitable applicants. Applicants who are offered a place will be required to confirm acceptance in writing accompanied by an Acceptance Deposit of £1190 (£1170 acceptance fee and £20 Garda vetting fee). 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. 

For more information, please visit our Terms & Conditions page.

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 in Year 1 or Year 2. 

Can I get exemptions for third and fourth-year modules?
No, Middlesex University does 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 comparability 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

Is the course taught online, or are there any online elements?
Yes, while the BSc (Hons) degree course is taught primarily in classroom, during Year 3 of the course, some of the modules (25% of the course) will be delivered online via a virtual classroom environment. Please note: Within the virtual classroom environment, you will interact in real-time with each other and the lecturer to ensure human connection is maintained. We also have an online Student Portal where students can find lecture notes, announcements and access to an online library with journals and other useful study resources.  There is also a student forum to link up students from all of our nationwide venues.