To be eligible for this course you must:
Please note:
Completion of this course does not provide a route to registration with the National Counselling Society (NCS) and detailed individual applications to NCS are required for this purpose, where applicable.
If you are interested in this course, you may wish to first book onto one of our Open Days or Open Evenings to find out more. Alternatively the Course Tutor would be happy to speak with you personally – please contact us if you would like us to put you in touch.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) / Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL)
Content:
IMIC3000: Advanced Professional Practice (30 credits)
IMIC3003: Specialist Work Based Learning (30 credits)
IMIC3004: Research for Counselling Practitioners (30 credits)
IMIC3005: Counselling in the 21st Century (30 credits)
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 (counselling hours) 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 undertaking counselling hours, supervision and work based learning (typically around 1 day per week in total), attending personal therapy (approximately 1 hour every 2 weeks) as well as independent guided study and preparation for assessment (approximately 2 days per week).
Assessment is based on:
Attendance requirements:
It is expected that students will attend 100% of the taught programme and all additional requirements such as placement, supervision and personal therapy. 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:
BA (Hons) in Integrative Counselling (Level 6) with 120 credits.
Please note:
Completion of this course does not provide a route to registration with the National Counselling Society (NCS) and detailed individual applications to NCS are required for this purpose, where applicable.
Venue:
Exeter
Date:
1st September 2022, Thursday intake, please see the 'Downloads Tab' to view the full course schedule
Venue:
Poole
Date:
1st September 2022, Thursday intake, please see the 'Downloads Tab' to view the full course schedule. This course is subject to approval by the University of Worcester.
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:
The Counselling Directory 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: 52B8.
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 an application to UCAS, by emailing admissions@ironmill.co.uk. Applications close 6-weeks prior to the start date.
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 through UCAS and can later apply for the BA (Hons) course via their student SOLE page.
Applications for Student Finance are made at Student Finance England.
Campus Code:
Q (Please note: This code is different to the Campus Code needed when applying for the course through UCAS).
Further study with Iron Mill College:
Graduates of our BA (Hons) Degree in Integrative Counselling with appropriate academic qualifications and / or suitable levels of relevant experience, may also be eligible to apply for these other post qualifying courses at Iron Mill College:
In addition, our range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Workshops may also be useful to graduates of this course.
Employment opportunities:
Our BA (Hons) Degree in Integrative Counselling is designed to enhance skills and knowledge with particular reference to employment and the development of specialist areas of interest. It provides the opportunity for advancement in a variety of counselling-related careers. Our graduates are people with the advanced theoretical and applied knowledge to make an impact on service provision.
Possible career opportunities include:
The programme provides links with employers through the placement and work based learning component.
Is there an interview as part of the application process for the BA (Hons) Degree in Integrative Counselling? / What are you looking for at the BA (Hons) Degree in Integrative Counselling application interview?:
Applicants who demonstrate that they meet the eligibility criteria for the course will be invited to interview, before they can be offered a place on the course. Applicants need to demonstrate at interview that they possess the professional and personal qualities for advanced counselling training, as well as a good understanding of the expectations and commitments of the course.
Strong relational and communication skills are essential, along with maturity, self-awareness and self-reflective ability, and the ability to engage with the academic requirements of the programme. Applicants need to be at the right time in their own lives to be able to engage fully with this highly demanding training.
We will be looking for the following qualities (as identified in the BACP Gold Book 2009):
I obtained an Enhanced DBS Certificate at the start of the Foundation Degree (FdA) in Integrative Counselling course. Will I need to undergo another DBS check when I apply for the BA (Hons) Degree in Integrative Counselling?:
Yes, all applicants of the BA (Hons) Degree in Integrative Counselling will need to obtain an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Certificate (currently costing £44) as part of the application process. The cost of this will need to be met by applicants and is not covered by Iron Mill College.
How much time should I allow for studying / what are the extra-curricular requirements on the BA (Hons) Degree in Integrative Counselling?:
The BA (Hons) Degree in Integrative Counselling requires attendance at college for one day per week for 1 year. It is, however, recognised as a full-time programme. This is because the course involves a high degree of self-directed learning as well as other commitments beyond the taught element of the course. The following represents an approximate guide to the time you need to devote to study:
Personal therapy at 1 hour every 2 weeks (20 hours minimum during the course, which should be spread evenly if possible)
What is the difference between 'counselling hours' (or 'placement') and 'work based learning'?:
'Counselling hours' (or 'placement') refers to the 50 hours of one-to-one supervised client counselling work undertaken during the programme. As qualified counsellors, students are expected to be in paid or voluntary employment as a counsellor for the duration of the programme, supervised to BACP requirements, and achieve a minimum of 50 counselling hours during the programme. You may choose to take an additional placement during your training to broaden your experience, and you will be provided with support and guidance should you wish to do so.
'Work based learning' consists of contextual learning relating to the Specialist Work Based Learning Module, which encourages the development of your learning in a specialist area of your choice. The work involves a negotiated project or agreed areas of involvement and responsibility with a relevant organisation, to enhance the development of your professional portfolio. There are no formal ‘hours’ requirements for work based learning, but you must participate in enough relevant work based learning to evidence the learning outcomes fully. We anticipate that this will mean 30-50 hours spread across the year.
How do I obtain counselling hours (or placement)?:
As qualified counsellors, students are expected to already be in paid or voluntary employment as a counsellor for the duration of the programme, supervised to BACP requirements, and achieve a minimum of 50 counselling hours during the programme.
You may choose to take an additional placement during your training to broaden your experience. We have a Placements Coordinator to support you through the process, providing access to the Iron Mill placement database, along with guidance and support with applications and references.
We have many years of experience in building relationships with placement providers and Iron Mill students have a great success rate of gaining placements during their training. However, Iron Mill College cannot guarantee that students will be able to gain a placement, and to maximise opportunities students will need to be positive, confident, pro-active, flexible about the distance they are prepared to travel and flexible with the times of the week they are available for placement work.
We have also introduced annual Placement Fayres, where students will have the opportunity to network with local placement providers, therapists and supervisors.
It is possible for students to find their own placement within an organisation students have not previously worked within, although it would need to be approved by our Placements Coordinator before starting.
How do I obtain work based learning?:
You will be provided with clear guidelines regarding expectations and contracting requirements for the work based learning element of this programme. You will be expected to access a suitable work based learning opportunity of your choice. You will be given access to the Iron Mill placement database, which contains many organisations who may consider offering you an opportunity. You may also approach organisations which are not yet on the Iron Mill database. The Iron Mill Placement Coordinator will be available to support you in this process, along with your Academic Tutor.
Attendance requirements:
It is expected that students will attend 100% of the taught programme and all additional requirements such as placement, supervision and personal therapy. 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:
However, if you can't find the answer your looking for, or need further help or information, do not hesitate to contact us.
Accredited by
BA (Hons) is Quality Checked by the National Counselling Society (NCS).
This course alone is not a route to the Accredited Register nor does it fully equip a graduate to practice as a qualified counsellor.
Iron Mill College offers accredited courses, academic standards, experiential learning, experienced lecturers with student focused training and classes.