Foundation Degree in Counselling

Programme outline

On this University of East London accredited course, you’ll consolidate and extend your understanding of yourself, the Person-Centred core model, and comparative frameworks. You also learn to integrate theory and practice in a workplace setting. There is a requirement for 150 workplace supervised client hours – in accord with BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) accreditation requirements.

What do I need to get on the course?

You must be at least 21 years old. There is both a written assessment and an interview at HCC.

Where does it lead?

Year 3 of the BSc (Hons) in Counselling (or BSc (Hons) Counselling & Mentoring) at the University of East London. For a more detailed description of the Foundation Degree, please visit www.uel.ac.uk.

How will I learn?

A useful way to conceptualise counselling training is as a process consisting of two components (a) the development of the personal/attitudinal qualities of the student counsellor and (b) the acquisition and honing of theoretically relevant conceptual/procedural knowledge and skills for managing the moment-to-moment transactions in therapy.

Person-Centred therapy is one of the few therapeutic theoretical orientations which also has a distinct approach to education. The emphasis is on a student-centred approach to learning, with tutors working to embody and offer a ‘climate of freedom’ in a way that’s consistent with the philosophy and principles of the approach. The aim is to enable self-directed, significant, personally meaningful experiential learning. Students are enabled to know their own values and how they come to them.

The model offers students the means by which they become clearer about what they think, believe and are capable of. It is often necessary to first challenge beliefs about learning based on previous experiences in order to develop openness to different ways of teaching and learning. This can be achieved through a wide range of more and less prescriptive structures and activities, for example: one to one personal development exploration, journal writing, open large group work, analysis of texts, formal theoretical assignments.

How will the learning be examined or assessed?

Assignments include journals, audiotapes, analysis of peer and tutor feedback, presentations, formal academic essays.

Where do I go if I have further questions?

Prospective students can contact the course information team on 020 7613 9123. Or, you can email them: info@hackney.ac.uk

How much will it cost?

Don’t worry about the cost of learning! We can help and advise you. 16-18 year-olds do not have to pay tuition fees on FE courses and if you would have been eligible for EMA, you may now receive a bursary. Transport for London student travel cards are available, giving discounts to 16-18s. If you’re aged 18-23, many courses are FREE or DISCOUNTED. If you’re aged 24 or over and enrolling on an approved level 3 or higher further education course, you can get a government loan to cover the tuition cost of your course. You don’t start paying back this loan until you earn a minimum of £21,000 per year – and the amount you are charged depends on how much you earn. Visit the ‘Fees’ section of our website which is found under the ‘Supporting you’ tab at the top of this page for more information.

How do I enrol?

When you are offered a place you are informed of the enrolment day and time. We advise you to apply early.

Student success

All of our tutors have a wealth of experience and are also practising counsellors. Our students really benefit from this, with our success rates being well over 90% most years.

What's the time commitment

You should allow a minimum of one day per week for independent study in addition to your lessons.

Where do I go?

Shoreditch Campus, Falkirk Street, London N1 6HQ. Visit the “How to find us” page on our website for directions.

Support for you

Before you start your lessons, you’ll take part in induction sessions, where you’ll meet other students and find out all about the support that’s available to you. This includes learning about the Virtual Learning Environment, tutorials and the campus facilities. All students can receive free, confidential and impartial advice on things like: your next step in education or your career, finance, housing, health, immigration, benefit claims, legal problems, sexual health, drugs, staying safe, personal / emotional concerns and other issues.

The college experience

Based in the heart of Hoxton, our Shoreditch Campus is a great place to study. It’s spacious, with excellent study facilities – plus outdoor and indoor social areas to catch up with friends. HCC has a richly diverse student population. Last year, 91% of our students said they’d recommend us to a friend. 83% said the college was a friendly place to study, 79% planned to progress onto another course with us and 97% felt that HCC was a safe place to be.

Information about the college

HCC is an award-winning College (Queen’s Anniversary Prize, Beacon Awards Winner (two years running), London Education Partnership Awards, TES 2012 FE Awards Winner, Investors in People GOLD award – and more!) It’s officially a ‘Good’ College (Ofsted 2010) with 82% of teachers good or outstanding. Courses range from pre-entry level right up to post-graduate level.