Adult & Higher Education

This course is for those students who have successfully completed a Level 5 Foundation Degree or Diploma and are currently practicing as a Counsellor. Those who have successfully completed a Level 4 Diploma may be considered for a place on the course and will need to show evidence of professional and personal development since completing the Level 4 course. They will be required to complete an additional module to prepare them for study at Level 6 and an additional fee will apply. Please contact the Counselling team for further information.

This programme has been developed and is delivered and assessed by Peter Symonds College, and is awarded and quality assured by Middlesex University. Students will receive an award from Middlesex University on successful completion.

This course involves: 

• attendance at 8 weekend modules (Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am – 5:30pm)
• 9 additional Supervision Sundays
• attendance at Professional Development Group
• maintaining a personal reflective learning journal.

Students will be actively involved in the assessment processes through self, group and peer assessment. The major vehicle for assessment will be the Personal Reflective Learning Journal which students maintain throughout the course of the year. In addition to this there are formal written assessments one of which will involve research.

In addition to the hours at College you will be expected to set time aside for:

• your counselling practice
• supervision 
• reading and researching
• preparation of assessments
• maintaining a personal reflective learning journal.

Please note the following dates: 

Induction: Saturday 6th September 

Weekends: 

• 27th & 28th September 2025 (Research 6001)
• 4th & 5th October 2025 (EVP 6005)
• 15th & 16th November 2025 (EVP 6005)
• 6th & 7th December 2025 (Brief 6006)
• 17th & 18th January 2026 (Existential 6006)
• 7th & 8th February 2026 (Couples 6006)
• 14th & 15th March 2026 (Research 6001)
• 16th & 17th May 2026 (PD 6002)

Supervision Sundays:

• Sunday 14th September 2025
  Sunday 9th November 2025
• Sunday 11th January 2026
• Sunday 1st February 2026
• Sunday 1st March 2026 
• Sunday 26th April 2026
• Sunday 10th May 2026
• Sunday 14th June 2026
• Sunday 28th June 2026

Modules include: 

• Professional Enquiry
• Clinical Practice and Professional Development and Ethics
• Expanding Vision and Practice
• Working with Brief Therapy
• Working with Couples and Relationships
• Working with Existential Dilemmas

Level 4 Diploma in Humanistic Counselling plus evidence of CPD or a Level 5 Diploma in Humanistic Counselling or the equivalent. All students must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at Grade C / 4-9 or above. Applicants with a Level 4 Diploma will be required to complete an additional module to prepare them for study at Level 6.

The course will provide the student with a good basis from which to access Masters level courses in psychotherapy and / or counselling. Progression could also include our Level 6 Certificate in Clinical Supervision.