BSc Honours Counselling & Psychotherapy Year 3 Pathway
This course pathway only applies only to applicants who have already successfully completed two years of an equivalent validated & accredited counselling and psychotherapy programme.
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 only applies to students who have already successfully completed one to two years of an equivalent validated & accredited counselling and psychotherapy programme.
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
Year 3
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
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
Please note that these requirements depend on the level you are applying for (Year 2 or 3). Be sure to read the full entry requirements for further details.
• 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
Year 3 Entry:
If you have already completed Years 1 & 2 of an equivalent validated and accredited counselling and psychotherapy programme, you may be eligible for entry to the third year of a given programme. Not all Counselling and Psychotherapy programmes cover the same syllabus in the first and second years, nor do they always have the same credit weightings attached, so it will not always be possible to grant Year 3 entry. The decision to grant RPL is an academic judgement and will only be considered in circumstances where it does not negatively impact the overall learning experience for the learner or the cohesion of the programme.
Recognition of prior learning criteria is aligned with the U.K. Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and NFQ and its award system. Policies and procedures associated with the recognition of prior learning are aligned with those of Middlesex University as our validating body.
RPL may be sought for admission to a programme, advanced entry to a programme, or for exemptions from a part of a programme. Exemptions are not granted for individual modules. Approved Prior Certified Learning is applicable to our BSc programme with uncertified/experiential learning applicable only to our MSc programmes. Policies and procedures associated with the recognition of prior learning are aligned with those of Middlesex University as our validating body.
Decisions to grant access through RPL (or otherwise) represent an academic judgment based on available evidence supplied by the applicant.
The following guidelines apply in all instances.
Candidates, at application, are asked to supply evidence of certified learning which include:
• Official transcripts of the learning for which are seeking recognition.
• Certificates where applicable i.e. BSc upgrade programme.
• Course Comparison Form where you will supply details of the Learning Outcomes and Assessments you have already achieved. These Learning Outcomes are matched and appraised by a suitably qualified senior member of the academic team.
• Programme Handbook or Syllabus of programme you are seeking RPL for.
• Confirmation of Personal Therapy Hours completed while enrolled in the previous programme, signed by the Personal Therapist. Confirmation may be a written letter from the therapist or a personal therapy log.
• The applicant must indicate in detail the relevant prior learning, and the types and nature of experiences in the case of uncertified learning they believe to have equivalence and will be assessed on learning acquired from experience as opposed to the experience itself.
• A requirement for applicants to have completed 25 hours of personal therapy in the previous 2 years of their studies.
• A requirement for applicants to submit a letter from their transferring institution verifying their readiness to see clients.
Upon acceptance of a place, year 3 entries must return the completed readiness to see clients paperwork which will have been preapproved at interview and sourcing a placement can begin upon enrollment.
The Clinical Manager (or their delegate who is up to speed with the readiness to see clients process) takes a role on the interview panel for year 3 entries.
Readiness to see clients is assessed as part of the interview.
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
All 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.
Fees
Applicants should complete the online application form including the initial application fee of €100. This application fee is separate from the tuition fees, should your application be successful. This application fee is non-refundable if it has been longer than 14 days after the application has been received, or if you have been interviewed and deemed to be an unsuitable candidate for the programme you applied for.
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 of €20/£20 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 3 Total
Year 4 Total
Payment Plan
PCI College has a monthly Direct Debit Plan. Please note that this plan will operate by Direct Debit only and is inclusive of a €100.00/£100 administration fee. Each student must pass the Summer Progression Board of each year to enable them to move into the next year of study.
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/£50. Personal therapy may also average about €60/£50 per session.
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 Upgrade programme should be qualified from the previous course prior to entry. 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.)
Application Process
Applicants should complete the online application form including the application fee of €100/£100. 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. When an Applicant has accepted a place all tuition fees, including deposits, shall be fully non-refundable in all personal circumstances.
Any year one or year two module that was not exempted must be taken as a catch-up module – there are additional fees for required modules.