Undergraduate prospectus 2023/24
Counselling, BA Hons (Top-up) (Guildford College)
If you already work as a counsellor, this is a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of counselling theory and practice.
Partner college
Duration
1 years full-time
Start month
September
Home fees 2023/24
This counselling top-up degree is aimed at practicing counsellors with a diploma or foundation course in counselling.
As awareness of mental health issues grows, there is increasing demand for qualified counsellors with enhanced skills. Focusing on theory and practice, you'll learn more about client issues – including attachment, loss and bereavement – and how to work with them. You'll also have access to a platform for counsellors from different backgrounds to share information and experience.
The course is offered by one of the university's partner colleges: Guildford College in Surrey.
What you will study
About the course team
The Partner College Network works on a broad range of objectives that encompasses the delivery of higher education within further education and joint work on a range of initiatives related to widening participation and access.
Entry requirements
Applicants will be required to have:
A foundation degree or Counselling Diploma Level 5 (applicants with a CPCAB Level 4 Diploma may be acceptable with Accredited Prior Learning at level 5 or above or for 2019 entry a tutor recommendation for level 6 study).
In addition 450 hours of counselling training, a minimum of 100 hours of supervised counselling practice and 60 hours of personal counselling.
For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Available to overseas students?
No
Can I use prior learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Covid safe teaching and learning
We are looking forward to welcoming students to our campuses for 2022/23. In line with government guidance, we are committed to delivering as much of our teaching, learning and student activity as possible on campus for the 2022/23 academic year. Depending on the national situation, and government advice, the situation may change but we are confident we are ready to manage any changes quickly and safely. Find out more about how we are keeping our campuses safe.
Teaching
In a typical week learning takes place through a combination of:
- Timetabled learning
- Independent study
You can view more information about how each module is taught within our 'What you will study' section.
Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Timetabled learning may fall between 9am and 9pm depending on your courses and tutorials.
Class sizes
Class sizes vary by module. Lectures are normally attended by larger groups, and seminars/tutorials by smaller groups. This can vary more widely for modules that are shared between degrees. All students will have opportunities for 1-to-1 time with their tutors.
Independent learning
Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate around 30 hours a week to self-study. This may involve further reading and research, preparing coursework and presentations, and preparing for tests and exams. Our facilities are designed to support you in these activities.
We encourage you to join societies and participate in sporting and other activities to engage in the wider life of the university community.
Overall workload
If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying.
Each module you study towards this degree is worth 15 or 30 credits. These represent around 150 or 300 study hours respectively. If you receive 100 contact hours for a 30-credit module, you should expect to commit 200 hours to independent study to complete it successfully.
Assessment
Students are assessed through a combination of assessment methods depending on the modules chosen.
You can view how each module is assessed within our 'What you will study' section.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include 'practice' assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assignments and to release examination results within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
2023/24 fees
| Full-time (per year) | Part-time (per 30 credits) | |
|---|---|---|
| View fees |
Funding your study
There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.
Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Other costs
Further costs may include (but are not limited to):
- Resources: Guildford College Learning Resource Centre has a comprehensive collection of counselling books and ebooks. However, you may find it useful to purchase key texts for your studies at an estimated cost of £120 per year for new copies or less for secondhand copies.
- Memberships: We recommend that you make use of online resources from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) during the course. This will require student membership, which currently costs £82 (or £41 if you are in receipt of benefits).
Careers and placements
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
You could become a private practice counsellor, pastoral worker, counsellor for a voluntary agency, the NHS or other statutory agency. Counsellors who graduate from this course and who are already in paid employment will be eligible for a greater variety of counselling work.
Do you provide employability services?
The Employability & Careers Service (ECS) is committed to supporting our students and recent graduates in their transition towards a rewarding graduate destination. We strive to deliver a professional service with the aim of empowering our students to achieve their potential. We provide the following:
- CV and cover letter checks
- Application support
- One-to-one careers advice
- Interview tips and support
- Careers fairs
- Internships
- Graduate jobs.
Locations and contact:
Greenwich Campus, Queen Mary QM015
Medway Campus, Black B014
employability@gre.ac.uk
020 8331 8810
www.gre.ac.uk/employability
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
You can also participate in the Erasmus+ student exchange course to spend a year abroad. Benefit from international experience and develop proficiency in a European language.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our undergraduate prospectus or check our related courses below.
Health and social care degrees at the University of Greenwich
You’ll learn from our expert, research-active tutors and be well supported during your work placement. You’ll benefit from great job prospects thanks to our strong links with NHS trusts and social care providers.
Visit our health and social care degrees subject page.
Health and social care degrees courses
Psychology degrees at the University of Greenwich
Gain an understanding of human behaviour and mental processes and develop your research skills. Many of our courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society and some include study in fields related to psychology, such as counselling.
Visit our psychology degrees subject page.
Psychology degrees courses
Mode of study
Select from the dropdown below.
| Course level | |
| UCAS code | |
| Duration | |
| Location |
Apply now
Need more help?
020 8331 9000• Live chat• courseinfo@gre.ac.uk• More information