Counselling and Psychotherapy

The BA (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy course provides professional training in humanistic person-centred counselling / psychotherapy. This course is designed for those who have an interest in mental health, the human condition and a willingness to work with others in times of significant distress.

The course will involve a comprehensive study of Carl Rogers’ theory and practice contextualised in a range of key paradigms. Students have the opportunity to work with clients through the counselling service, clinical supervision is provided. The BA (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy is not accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) however the BACP Framework for Ethical practice is embedded throughout the course. In order to have been considered to have completed an accredited course candidates will need to have first completed the BACP accredited DipHe in Person-centred Counselling at University Centre Colchester in year 1 and 2.

Delivery is through a range of methods including lectures, seminars, case-study, discussions and workshops. A variety of assessment strategies will be used including assignments, case studies, work-based projects, patchwork texts and extended research study/dissertation.

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Most modules count for 20 academic credits, with each credit taken equating to a total study time of around 10 hours, which includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.

Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. A total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits are needed for an honours degree as a whole. Overall grades for the course and degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.

Each module is worth a specified number of credits: you take a combination of compulsory and optional modules, enabling you to cover key subject knowledge while developing your own interests. The number of optional modules you can take depends on the number of core modules at a given level. Our teaching is informed by research, professional practice and industry engagement and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline.

Further information on current modules can be found on the University Centre Colchester website.

Assessment: The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally contains at least one piece of practice or ‘formative’ assessment for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.

There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. Assessment methods include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and your final year major project. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Feedback: You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy