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. For further information regarding modules and content, please see the Programme Specification.

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 4th September 2027

Weekends: 

• 25th & 26th September 2027 (Research 6001)
• 2nd & 3rd October 2027 (EVP 6005)
• 13th & 14th November 2027 (EVP 6005)
• 4th & 5th December 2027 (Brief 6006)
• 15th & 16th January 2028 (Existential 6006)
• 5th & 6th February 2028 (Couples 6006)
• 18th & 19th March 2028 (Research 6001)
• 13th & 14th May 2028 (PD 6002)

Supervision Sundays:

• Sunday 12th September 2027
• Sunday 17th October 2027
• Sunday 7th November 2027
• Sunday 30th January 2028
• Sunday 27th February 2028 
• Sunday 23rd April 2028
• Sunday 7th May 2028
• Sunday 11th June 2028
• Sunday 25th June 2028

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.

Please note that applicants whose first language is not English are required to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher.

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.