University of Portsmouth Open Experience Day
21 Mar 2026, 08:30
Portsmouth
If you have a DipHE in counselling (or an equivalent Level 5 qualification), you can top it up to a Bachelor's degree on this 1-year BSc (Hons) Gestalt Counselling top-up course.
You'll build on the counselling skills and interpersonal abilities you gained in your previous studies by developing knowledge in advanced gestalt counselling skills. You'll put what you learn into practice by conducting 100 hours of supervised counselling.
You'll also complete a research project on a topic that matches your interests and ambitions.
When you complete the course, you could work as a gestalt counsellor in areas such as education, the police service, the prison service and the voluntary sector. The advanced skills and practitioner experience you gain will allow you to work with a wider variety of clients with more complex needs.
Alternative courses
You can specialise in other types of counselling and therapy on our BSc (Hons) Humanistic Counselling and BSc (Hons) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy top-up degrees.
Location
This course takes place at South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus. While studying here, you can access the University's student support services and community including study support, the Students’ Union and our library's online resources.
What you'll experience
On this course you'll:
Learn advanced gestalt counselling skills, building on the knowledge you developed during your DipHE
Develop advanced research skills on a research project that aligns with your interests and career ambitions
Apply your knowledge and skills with at least 100 hours of supervised counselling on a placement in the community
Learn from experienced, industry-trained staff who've worked in organisations or run their own private practices
Build a foundation to help work towards a further professional accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) following completion of the course
Develop transferable skills you can apply in all aspects of your life and career in areas such as problem solving, communication, group working, planning, effective feedback and IT
Study at South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus with access to University of Portsmouth support and services
Apply for membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and get access to member resources including journal subscriptions, free courses and job boards
Careers and opportunities
Events such as the coronavirus pandemic and increased awareness in society about mental health have increased the demand for counselling and therapy services. As a gestalt counsellor, you can have a significant positive impact on people's health and wellbeing, and help take the pressure off other health services such as GPs and hospitals.
Public, private and charity sector settings you could work in after the course include:
Education
Alcohol and drug services
Eating disorder services
Mental health services
GPs
Police and prison services
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.
Course optionsThis section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Choose a specific option to see funding information.
Course optionsUniversity of Portsmouth
Mercantile House
Hampshire Terrace
Portsmouth
PO1 2EG
Email:admissions@port.ac.uk
Phone:023 9284 5566