BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy
This course is designed to provide comprehensive training within the field of counselling and psychotherapy.
As a college, we are committed to making transformative contributions to individuals and society as a leading educational establishment in the field of mental health and wellbeing. In recognition of the many and varied effective approaches to therapy, PCI College’s unique training programme is centred around an integrative model which is inspired by an underlying humanistic philosophy. The integrative training programme, resting on a humanistic framework, emphasises the importance of the therapeutic relationship as a medium through which healing can occur. On completion of this course, participants will qualify as skilled, competent and creative therapists, who are ready to meet with confidence the needs of a fast-evolving society and are equipped to work in a variety of settings with a wide range of presenting issues. The programme is developed, delivered and assessed by PCI College, and validated and awarded by Middlesex University.
Who is this course for?
This course is intended for people who are interested in becoming professional counsellors & psychotherapists and want to gain an honours degree and a professional qualification in counselling and psychotherapy. The course will also meet the needs of those who have an opportunity to use counselling skills as part of their work (either in a paid or voluntary capacity) or to simply broaden their qualifications.
What are the benefits of doing this course?
You will be ready to pursue a wide variety of career options including private practice and the provision of counselling services to voluntary, community and statutory organisations. You will benefit from our commitment to providing high quality, inspiring, memorable, positive, professional and potentially life-changing learning experiences through a participative, experiential programme which values the prior lived experience of each learner.
What will you learn?
The main components of the learning experience focus on your own personal and professional development, which, along with providing theoretical understanding and excellence in skills practice, will also emphasise the importance of personal awareness and development. You will, within a safe and secure learning environment, explore the aspects of personal development which potentially impact on professional development. You will also study a variety of counselling theories that include person-centred, existential, cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic and other approaches. Each year of study is designed to provide you with a set of eclectic skills that can be applied in a wide variety of clinical settings.
Validated By
Accredited By
Year 1: 90 credits (equivalent to 45 ECTS credits)
• Contemporary Humanistic & Existential Perspectives in Counselling & Psychotherapy
• Professional Competence: Counselling Skills & Ethical Practice
• Personal Development: Self Awareness & the Reflective Practitioner
• Online research tutorial x 2
Year 2: 90 credits (equivalent to 45 ECTS credits)
• Contemporary Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Theory & Practice
• Professional Competence: Advanced Skills & Ethical Practice
• Personal Development: The Relational Self
• Online research tutorial x 2
Year 3: 90 credits (equivalent to 45 ECTS credits)
• Early Psychodynamic Perspectives: The Unconscious Mind
• Professional Competence: Research Methodologies in Counselling & Psychotherapy
• Professional Development: The Integrative Therapist
Year 4: 90 credits (equivalent to 45 ECTS credits)
• One elective theories module to be chosen:
o Advanced Humanistic
o Advanced CBT
o Advanced Psychodynamics
• Professional Competence: Thesis
• Professional Development: Clinical Placement Case Study
Additional Course Requirements
• 50 hours of personal therapy with an IACP/BACP/IAHIP accredited therapist
• 120 hours of client work within an approved PCI College placement
• 24 hours of supervision with an IACP/BACP/IAHIP accredited supervisor
• 24 hours of CPD – 6 hours can be personal development, 18 hours minimum must be professional development
• 32 hours of group supervision in-house (Year 3 and Year 4)
Students must also register with the IACP as a Student Member. You can see further details here on the IACP website.
Assessment
There are no formal examinations, giving students more opportunities to concentrate on their assignments and their own self-exploration throughout their journey.
Eligibility
1. Applicants should possess a maturity to reflect on their own development as a person.
2. Applicants need to have successfully completed a:
• Certificate Course in Counselling & Psychotherapy (or similar) of 60+ hours.
OR
• Equivalent level 7+ (NFQ) course in for e.g., Psychology, Social Care/Social Work, Psychiatric Nursing or any discipline related to the field of counselling.
OR
• Show evidence of personal development /substantial life experience (for e.g., proof of volunteer work, community work, experience of counselling and/or portfolio of prior learning).
Entry is by the application form and interview.
Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course. Our Student Portal includes a suite of academic writing tools, including webinars, in order to support and assist with the practicalities of written work. Access to these is free and highly recommended.
Students are assigned a Student Development & Progression Officer on their programme and with whom they will meet during the academic year to discuss progression and engagement in a supportive capacity. In years 3 & 4 as degree students become more independent learners; tutorials, seminars, and career development sessions will be provided.
Students can expect to be provided with guidance and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed disability or learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application and can be discussed further at the interview, without prejudice. This is to ensure the correct supports can be provided where possible.
Language Requirements
All candidates are required to satisfy the English language requirement. Candidates whose first language is not English and who are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate may satisfy the requirement through the completion of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) on the basis that they obtain a minimum band score of 6 at the undergraduate level and 6.5 at postgraduate level or an equivalent score of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or Cambridge, which denotes a very good skill level of English. It should be noted that these are the minimum requirements in English and PCI College may set higher requirements in each case.
Garda Vetting
Students will be requested to participate in Garda Vetting procedures in relation to programme and accreditation requirements.
IT Skills
Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course
Additional Entry Requirements
Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application.
Fees
This course is eligible for tax relief on tuition fees, and our fees include student insurance for clinical practice. This means that our students are covered under PCI Insurance while completing the course and the required hours for the program.
*Please note that there is an additional charge for the Garda vetting process which is required prior to course entry and it is not included in the above fees.
Course Fees – Republic of Ireland
Course Total
Year 1 Total
Year 2 Total
Year 3 Total
Year 4 Total
Year 1 Fees
Application Fee
Acceptance Fee
Validation Fee
Vetting Fee
Payment Plan
Pay in 42 monthly instalments, through the Monthly Payment Plan. Please note that this plan will operate by Direct Debit only and is inclusive of a €100.00 administration fee. Each student must pass the Summer Progression Board of each year to enable them to move into the next year of study.
Please ensure to ready the full Terms & Conditions for cancellations, refunds, and more.
Additional Course Costs
Course fees do not cover costs associated with Additional Course Requirements; Personal Therapy & Supervision.
Fees for Supervision and Personal Therapy are decided by negotiation between you and your Supervisor and Therapist. The average cost for supervision is approximately €60. Personal therapy may also average about €60 per session.
PROCESS
Applicants should complete the online application form including the initial application fee of €80. This fee is separate from the tuition fees, should your application be successful.
Intake interviews will be arranged for suitable applicants. Applicants who are offered a place will be required to confirm acceptance accompanied by an Acceptance Deposit of €1270. When an Applicant has accepted a place all tuition fees, including deposits, shall be fully non-refundable in all personal circumstances.
Career Path
Counselling is a fulfilling career and can change your life as well as others. People who become counsellors are genuinely interested in human behaviour and have a strong desire to help others improve their mental well-being. They are also skilled at interacting with people on a personal level while maintaining a professional relationship.
Students who graduate from the BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy will be fully qualified to practice as professional counsellors & psychotherapists. Graduates pursue a wide variety of career options including private practice and the provision of counselling services to voluntary, community and statutory organisations. Many graduates continue their professional development with courses of study in specialist areas, including CPD certificates, workshops and postgraduate programmes. The majority of graduates work towards full professional accreditation with an organisation, such as the IACP.
Accreditation
The IACP provides standards of practice, professional identification, education/training and regulation for the counselling and psychotherapy profession in Ireland. All venues are pre-accredited with the IACP.
Professional accreditation is an important requirement for those wishing to practice as professional therapists in Ireland. In the absence of Government regulation of the profession, accreditation bodies such as the IACP provide standards of practice which give reassurance on training quality and ethical conduct to individuals and organisations seeking professional counselling services. While government regulation is planned and the process to structure regulation has begun, it may yet take some time before this is completed and implemented. In the meantime, the IACP and other recognised accreditation bodies will continue to set and monitor the standards of best practice and professional training for therapists in Ireland. Full details on IACP Accreditation can be found here.
Validation
PCI College has been providing their BSc (Honours) Counselling & Psychotherapy since 1997. Our university validated programmes are developed, delivered and assessed by PCI College and awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University. A qualification from Middlesex University London is internationally recognised both within the EU and outside the EU. (Brexit negotiations will have no impact on these facts.)