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Therapeutic Counselling (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)

Course details
  • DipHE
  • 2 Years
  • Full-time
  • January 2027
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Stamford College
Awarded by:
The Open University

Course summary

This qualification provides a professional foundation for you to work as CBT Counsellors or Integrative Practitioners with a CBT specialism. It also offers valuable skills for professionals in allied fields such as health and social care, education, coaching, or human resources, where structured psychological support and behaviour change techniques are beneficial.

Beyond theoretical knowledge, the course develops personal and transferable skills essential for employment in today’s changing professional landscape. Learners will cultivate initiative, adaptability, and sound judgement, equipping them to make effective decisions in diverse and unpredictable contexts.

Graduates leave the programme as confident, capable, and compassionate CBT practitioners, ready to meet the needs of clients with professionalism, empathy, and evidence-based skill. Join us on this rewarding journey to become a reflective and resilient Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.

Graduates will be equipped to:

Work safely and ethically within a professional counselling framework
Deliver structured CBT interventions in agency or private practice settings
Evaluate and integrate current research to inform practice
Engage in professional supervision and reflective practice
Continue progressing toward further accreditation or higher-level study in counselling or psychotherapy
The course combines theoretical understanding with clinical practice through supervised counselling placement hours, ensuring you are work-ready and confident in your ability to apply CBT in real-world settings.

Progression Routes

After successful completion of the Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, you have the opportunity to complete the Level 6 of the BA (Hons) Person Centered and CBT Counselling & Psychology (Top-up) course to obtain a full honours degree with a further year of study.

This course qualifies you at practitioner level as a Counsellor. You could gain employment in the counselling field or related psychological professions.

Modules

LEVEL 4

Module 9 CBT Counselling Theory

Module 10 CBT Counselling Practice

Module 3 Theoretical Perspectives in Human Development and Counselling

Module 4 Integrating Other Counselling Approaches and Creative Therapies

LEVEL 5

Module 7 Understanding and Addressing Mental Health Anxiety, Depression and Phobias

Module 8 Integrating Theory, Practice and Self

Module 11 Relationship counselling

Theory and Practice

Module 12 Addiction theory and practice

Assessment Methods

Throughout the duration of your course you will be assessed using a variety of assessment methods. These include essays, case studies, role play, reflective journals and a placement portfolio.

Year one (Level 4) 100% Coursework
Year two (Level 5) 100% Coursework

We will provide, by the beginning of the first week of each semester, a current module guide with all the information you need for each module, including details of assessment tasks, the deadlines for these tasks, the required format and any relevant guidance.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
TC21
Institution code:
P56
Campus name:
Stamford College
Campus Code:
B

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

We are unable to accept international students

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

A level
Not accepted

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Not accepted

Access to HE Diploma
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
Not accepted

Applicants must have a Certificate in Counselling Skills and Theory (Level 3)

Applicants must have GCSE English language and mathematics at a minimum of grade C or grade 4.

If English is not your first language you will require a recognised Level 2 English language qualification or an IELTS score of 5.5 (with 5.5 minimum in each skill) or an equivalent English Language qualification.

Additional Admissions information
All candidates will be required to attend an interview before joining the programme. Interviewers will be seeking evidence of:

  • Ability to write and discuss assignments at undergraduate level
  • Recent reading of Counselling research literature
  • Reflection on learning experiences from recent and relevant courses

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course 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.

Not enough data available

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.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

There may be additional costs for this course which are not covered by the tuition fee.

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