Foundation Degree (FdA) in Integrative Counselling

• Iron Mill has Accreditation from the BACP to include OPT (online and phone therapy) Core Training into the programme.
  As a consequence, up to 30% of teaching will be delivered online. Students will therefore need to have suitable equipment, the technical ability to work online, and a private space to be able to fully engage with remote working
• Vocationally relevant for your future career as a counsellor
• Focuses attention on the importance, quality, and depth of relationship as the central component of therapeutic work
• Gives participants the space to gain new understanding, deeper self-awareness, greater confidence, and feel well-resourced personally and professionally
• An opportunity to be part of a creative, developing, supportive group, and make lifelong friendships. Iron Mill College offers access to a unique learning community in a beautiful, relaxing, welcoming environment, with enthusiastic, energetic, and experienced teaching staff who get to know and support you individually
• Designed to qualify competent, confident, and creative counsellors, who stand out from the crowd as highly professional graduates, well-equipped for entering the workplace.
• You'll learn a range of theories and philosophies by studying integrative counselling
• Experience a diverse range of teaching methods that include experiential, creative arts, reflective practice, and group work
• Students will be registered to University of Worcester and will have access to student services that includes their library, student support, study skills, and IT support. 
• FdA graduates will be eligible to apply for progression onto our BA (Hons) Degree in Integrative Counselling (Validated by the University of Worcester), to ‘top up’ their award to a full honours degree in just one further year of study.
• Students are required to undertake approximately 60 - 100 hours of work-based learning that enriches skills and experience before qualifying. Work-based learning has a focus on employability once students have completed the course which makes this degree unique to other providers.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for this course students must: 

• Have completed at least 30 hours of preliminary counselling training. Applicants not meeting this requirement will be recommended to take the Iron Mill College Certificate in counselling
• Possess a Level 3 (or equivalent) qualification. Applicants not meeting this requirement will be assessed for academic writing ability.
• Applicants must provide a personal statement on application and provide two references.
• Provide proof of identification. 

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) requirements

Students will be required to apply for their Enhanced DBS Certificate via the University. A fee will be payable at this point.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
To ensure that all students meet the criteria for BACP registration, RPL is not permitted. Students need to complete the course in its entirety to achieve their FdA award and BACP registration.

Admissions procedures

• Applicants will apply via UCAS to the University of Worcester. The application must include a personal statement and two references.
• Students attend for a group and individual interview at the Iron Mill College (see details below).
• The University will send a letter to successful applicants confirming the offer and requesting that the student completes the on-line registration.  The student completes the registration via Sole Pages. The University of Worcester will send a confirmation letter to the student and will enclose a handbook.    

Admissions/selection criteria
Interview

Applicants who meet the entry criteria will be invited to Iron Mill College for an interview. The interview process includes both a group and individual element and is led by members of the FdA teaching team. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they possess the professional and personal qualities for counselling training and demonstrate that they have:

• A good understanding of the expectations and commitments of the training.
• Strong relational and communication skills.
• Maturity, self-awareness and self-reflective ability, and the ability to engage with the academic requirements of the programme.
• The confidence and competence required to actively seek and obtain a placement, as well as having relevant professional experience which will assist with the gaining of a placement.
• Applicants also need to consider the full-time nature of the course and the personal commitment to be able to engage fully with this highly demanding training. 
• Ability to make use of and reflect on life experience
• Capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the course
• Ability to form a helping relationship
• Ability to be self-critical and use both positive and negative feedback
• Awareness of the nature of prejudice and oppression
• Awareness of issues of difference and equality 
• Ability to recognise the need for personal and professional support
• Competence in, or an aptitude to develop generic professional skills including: literacy, numeracy, information technology, administrative skills, self-management skills, communication and interpersonal skills.

*In preparation for interview applicants are advised to look at the BACP website and the BACP Ethical Framework, which lists the values and personal qualities expected of counsellors.

If you are interested in this course, you may wish to first book one of our Open Days or Open Evenings or our online course presentations to find out more.  Alternatively a Course Tutor would be happy to speak with you personally – please contact us if you would like us to put you in touch.

How to apply:
Applications for this course are made via the UCAS website.

• The Course Code is: B9K0.
• Institution Code: W80
• The Campus Code is: A (Please note: This code is different to the Campus Code needed when applying for Student Finance).
  Please also let us know when you have submitted your application to UCAS, and where you wish to study (either Exeter or Poole) by emailing admissions@ironmill.co.uk.

Please note: The 2 year Foundation Degree (FdA) in Integrative Counselling and the 1 year BA (Hons) Degree in Integrative Counselling ('top up' year) are two separate programmes. Applicants wishing to study for the FdA and then the BA (Hons) year should initially just apply for the FdA course, using the above code.

Applications for Student Finance are made at:

Campus Code: 
Q (Please note: This code is different to the Campus Code needed when applying for the course through UCAS).

Content:

Year 1:
IMIC1001: The art of relationship (15 credits)
IMIC1002: Professional competence (30 credits)
IMIC1003: The neuroscience of relationship (15 credits)
IMIC1004: A sense of self (30 credits)
IMIC1005: Professional development 1 (30 credits)

Year 2:
IMIC2001: The ‘here and now’ encounter (30 credits)
IMIC2002: Creative arts therapies (15 credits) 
IMIC2003: Counselling in context (30 credits)
IMIC2004: The process of change (15 credits)
IMIC2005: Professional development 2 (30 credits)
IMIC2006: Professional practice (0 credits)

The FdA is validated by the University of Worcester and accredited by the BACP. It includes the opportunity to achieve the Iron Mill College (IMC) Introduction to Counselling Young People (CYP) Award at no additional cost, as part of your schedule above. This separate award is a BACP requirement for students on accredited courses, to allow their progression onto placement with young people (11-18 years) once a substantial amount of hours have been completed with adult clients. The IMC Introduction to Counselling Young People Award addresses the Stage 1 Learning Outcomes within the BACP Counselling Young People (11–18 years) Training Curriculum.

Learning and assessment:
The programme is delivered via lectures, debates, presentations, audio-visual materials, group exercises, skills practices, process groups, reflective practice, case presentation, and project work. In addition, your supervised placement practice will allow you to apply your learning and gain valuable experience and confidence. 

As well as attending timetabled teaching days at the college (1 day per week), students will spend time attending placement, supervision and work based learning (typically around 1 day per week in total), undertaking personal therapy (approximately 1 hour per week) as well as independent guided study and preparation for assessment (approximately 2-3 days per week). This course obtains 420 hours of teaching hours over the 2 year study. 

Assessment is based on: 

• A group exhibition with individual areas.
• Observed and recorded skills work with peers.
• Presentations.
• A client case study.
• Your professional portfolio.
• Written assignment using selections from your journal.
• A work based project of your choice.
• A piece of recorded client work discussed with your examiner.
• Essays.

For further information, please visit the 'Programme Specification' in the 'Downloads Tab'.

Attendance requirements:
The expectation is that students will attend 100% of each module. Students whose attendance falls below 90% of the scheduled module hours must contact the Module Leader to discuss the action necessary to meet the award requirements. Some parts of the programme relating to assessment have a mandatory attendance requirement, and where this applies it will be stated clearly in the relevant Module Specification.

Awards:
BACP Accredited Foundation Degree (FdA) in Integrative Counselling (Levels 4 and 5) with 240 credits (for successful completion of both Years 1 and 2). This award qualifies you to practice as a professional counsellor, and meets the application requirements for full membership of the BACP (MBACP status).

Start dates TBC, please email enquiries@ironmill.co.uk to be added to the waiting list

Alternatively, you can apply directly through UCAS

Interview dates TBC

For the latest fees, please see the University of Worcester's course fees page here.

Further information on fees:
Course fees are set annually by the University of Worcester and all matters related to finances and fees for this course are dealt with by Student Finance. You can also contact the university for information and advice on funding, finances and fees, see their Money Advice web page or contact their Money Advisers at 01905 542551 / firstpoint@worc.ac.uk.

This course is eligible for Student Finance applications for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans as well as help with costs associated with dependent children. For further information see the Student Finance web page. 

As an enrolled University of Worcester student, you will be entitled to access a wide range of university information and library resources. This will include 'Summon', the library’s search engine, several million books, journal and newspaper articles, conference papers, dissertations and more are accessible to you for your studies. There are additionally facilities to borrow books and to buy used textbooks.

You will also be entitled to purchase an NUS Extra card, which entitles you to discounts in selected stores and on travel. See the NUS Extra web page for more information. 

Additional expenses:
This will vary depending on your own circumstances, but all applicants must make sure they fully understand the additional expense requirements they will need to undertake during this course. Iron Mill College is unable to contribute to any of these additional costs; they are met by the student. These costs may include:

• Travel and boarding costs
• Purchase of books
• Personal therapy: approximately £30-£50 per hour
• Supervision: many placements provide supervision, or contribute towards the costs, but not all. If not paid for or supplied by your placement, supervision will cost approximately £30-£60 per 1.5 hours for monthly individual supervision and approximately £20 per hour for group supervision
• Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Certificate (previously known as the Enhanced CRB): £53.20
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: approximately £35-£90 per year. Discounts are available from some insurers for BACP members and monthly payment options are usually available
• Professional membership of the BACP: £80 per year for Student Members, or £40 at reduced rate for people who are in receipt of a state benefit or unwaged, with no personal income
• An electronic audio recording device. The cost of these ranges from £15-£20 upwards
• The Counselling Directory website and the It's Good to Talk website can also help provide you with information on the average costs of supervision and therapy

The Counselling Directory website and the It's Good to Talk website can also help provide you with information on the average costs of supervision and therapy. 

How to apply:
Applications for this course are made via the UCAS website.

The Course Code is:
B9K0.

The Campus Code is:
A (Please note: This code is different to the Campus Code needed when applying for Student Finance).
Please also let us know when you have submitted your application to UCAS by emailing admissions@ironmill.co.uk.

The Student Finance Code is:
Q.

Please note:
The 2 year Foundation Degree (FdA) in Integrative Counselling and the 1 year BA (Hons) Degree in Integrative Counselling ('top up' year) are two separate programmes. Applicants wishing to study for the FdA and then the BA (Hons) year should initially just apply for the FdA course, using the above code.

Applications for Student Finance are made here.

Please also let us know when you have submitted an application to UCAS, by emailing admissions@ironmill.co.uk.

Further study with Iron Mill College:

The course and practice requirements satisfy BACP membership and individual accreditation training requirements. Click here to view the BACP individual accreditation scheme. 
Graduates of our Foundation Degree (FdA) in Integrative Counselling will be eligible to apply for the following courses at Iron Mill College:

• BA (Hons) Degree in Integrative Counselling (Validated by University of Worcester) ('top up' to a full honours degree in just one further year of study).
• Diploma in Supervision (Advanced Specialist Training Status with NCPS).
• Post Qualifying Diploma in Eating Disorders: Brain, Body and Mind (Advanced Specialist Training Status with NCPS).
• Post Qualifying Diploma in Counselling Young People 

In addition, our range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Workshops may also be useful to graduates of this course.

Employment opportunities:
Our Foundation Degree (FdA) in Integrative Counselling programme provides the opportunity for advancement in a variety of counselling-related careers, and for counselling practitioners to advance beyond their current role. Possible career opportunities include: 

• NHS initiatives e.g. Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT).
• Educational institutions: schools, colleges and universities.
• Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPS).
• Local Authority employee services programmes
• Charitable agencies.
• Private practice. 

The programme provides valuable links with employers through both the placement and work based learning components, as well as networking opportunities within the community

What are the attendance requirements?:
The expectation is that students will attend 100% of each module. Students whose attendance falls below 90% of the scheduled module hours must contact the Module Leader to discuss the action necessary to meet the award requirements. Some parts of the programme relating to assessment have a mandatory attendance requirement, and where this applies it will be stated clearly in the relevant Module Specification.

Additional frequently asked questions: 
Our comprehensive general FAQs pages include answers to many other common questions, grouped into the following areas:

• Counselling and Psychotherapy.
• Choosing the Right Course
• Applying for a Course
• Fees, Funding and Finance
• Venues and Facilities
• Placements, Personal Therapy and Supervision
• Iron Mill Counselling Service

However, if you can't find the answer your looking for, or need further help or information, do not hesitate to contact us.