DipHE Person-Centred Counselling

Welcome to Person-centred Counselling

The course will provide you with a range of opportunities to learn about yourself and develop the skills to become a fully qualified, Person-Centred Counsellor, on a BACP Accredited course . Post-qualification, you are eligible to apply for BACP registration as a full member. A strong theoretical knowledge base, together with year one skills practice will prepare you for supervised counselling hours in your second year of training. Should you consider extending your training to the BA Counselling & Psychotherapy year 3, this will encourage you to develop an area of specialism in your counselling practice and inviting you to undertake a small-scale research project. You will experience an exciting, psychologically demanding programme which will enrich your world view and develop your capacity for critical reflection.

The course includes specific training in video and telephone counselling embedding BACP Online and Telephone Therapy (OPT) core curriculum into years 1 and 2. This furnishes students with the skills and knowledge of counselling via video and telephone in addition to traditional in-person practice. The course is committed to embedding and communicating BACP equality, diversity and inclusion strategy.

Teaching staff are all qualified counsellors and mental health practitioners and practice within a range of therapeutic environments. Our graduates progress in to careers as counsellors or working in the allied professions. Some graduates move on to completing a Masters qualification.

‘The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change’.
(Carl Rogers 1961)

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Course IntroductionModulesEntry RequirementsGraduate CareersAdditional

Your profile

You are a compassionate listener, a sensitive communicator, and others value your non-judgemental approach. Your interest in psychotherapy goes beyond a passing interest and you want to make a real difference to people’s lives. Your life experience, mature approach and individuality will be positively welcomed.

Your subject

The importance of mental wellbeing is rapidly reaching the forefront of the government’s health agenda. A clear distinction between physical and mental health is giving way to a more holistic view. Consequently, talking therapies are increasing in popularity, with more trained counsellors and psychotherapists needed to meet the demands of a newly health-conscious society.

Your course

As a student, you will embark on a comprehensive study of the works of internationally-renowned psychologist Professor Carl Rogers, as well as modern developments within the person-centred approach. You will develop a strong theoretical understanding of a range of perspectives on the human psyche and receive continuous feedback on your developing skills. When prepared, you will benefit from the unique opportunity of working with real clients through the institution’s own counselling service, for which clinical supervision is provided. Issues for clients and work in mental health settings are considered in depth, and will continue to inform your professional practice with clients. In your final degree year, you will focus on preparation for employment and the opportunity to develop a specialism such as counselling children and young people, telephone and e-counselling, or the use of creative techniques, as well as undertaking an exciting research project. You will work with highly-experienced, qualified professionals with extensive experience in the sector who practise from a range of approaches across different therapeutic environments.

Your future

On graduating, you will be able to explore career opportunities in a variety of organisations such as schools, college or universities, GP surgeries, hospitals or dedicated advice centres. Past graduates have found employment within the National Health Service (NHS) as part of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme, while others have set up in private practice or work for voluntary organisations.

Undergraduate courses operate on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Each module is worth a specified number of credits, with most modules counting for 20 or 40 academic credits (depending on the programme), with each credit taken equating to a total amount of study time which includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.

Most full-time students will take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. A total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits are needed for an honours degree as a whole. Overall grades for the course and degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.

Our teaching is informed by research, professional practice and industry engagement and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline.

Course Structure Course Delivery Year One (Level 4) Year Two (Level 5)

DipHE Person-Centred Counselling

32 UCAS points*
Relevant work experience.
Able to demonstrate a capacity for self-awareness, maturity and stability and be able to cope with the emotional demands of the programme.
Two satisfactory references required.
Attendance at an extended Interview.
Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)** enhanced check.
Access to Higher Education qualification (to include psychology or sociology and English) also accepted.

**Please note there is a charge of £44 for a DBS check.

*UCAS Tariff points where shown, are for entry on to higher education programmes starting from September 2024.

International applicants

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent English Language qualification.

Additional requirements for International Students:

You must provide evidence of having been in general education for at least 10 years and of having studied within the last five years
a face-to-face or video call interview is required before an offer is made

This qualification is useful for those who work in or wish to work in the health and social care professions or in private counselling practice. Opportunities exist for progression to the BA (Hons) Person-Centred Counselling. This qualification will enable professional students in counselling to provide evidence of continuing professional development, enhance existing employment or support career progression to broader managerial and/or supervisory duties.

Some graduates find employment within the NHS as part of the IAPT (improving access to psychological therapy) programme; others set up in private practice or work for voluntary organisations. It should be borne in mind that counselling/psychotherapy is more frequently a part-time occupation and that most therapists complement this with other part-time work, often in allied sectors.

Career Opportunities

This qualification will enable professional students in counselling to provide evidence of continuing professional development and undertake broader managerial and/or supervisory duties.

Timetables: Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Where possible we will look to schedule timetabled sessions for full-time courses over two days per week, and part-time courses over one day per week.

Teaching and Learning: You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and practicals. Seminars enable smaller group discussions to develop understanding of topics covered in lectures.

When not attending lectures, seminars and practicals or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-directed study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, learning zone or technical learning resources, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations

Assessment: The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally contains at least one piece of practice or ‘formative’ assessment for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.

There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. Assessment methods include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and your final year major project. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Feedback: You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.

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DipHE Person-centred Counselling - Full-time

Level	Level 5
Location	Colchester
Duration	2 Years
UCAS Code	B941
Academic Year	2025-2026
Study Mode	Full-Time
Campus / Adult Skills Centre	University Centre Colchester
Start Date	September 2025
Applications	Applications for September 2025 are open now
Fee(s)	2024-25: £8,750 per year
Additional Cost Information	Students will be required to undertake a specified level of personal therapy both prior and during the course which will be self-funded; course fees do not cover this aspect. While the cost of personal therapy varies from practitioner to practitioner, it is anticipated that personal therapy is estimated to cost in the region of £300 per year. Counselling students who intend to practise will be required to have membership of BACP and professional indemnity insurance. These costs are variable; students should contact the course team for further guidance. Students are required to undertake 100 hours of professional practice with clients during their studies and student membership of BACP will be required prior to undertaking this. Students who are unable to complete their client hours while studying and wish to continue to utilise the Colchester Institute Counselling Service (CICS) for completing their hours and associated supervisions beyond the length of their programme, will be required to pay additional fees to access these services. UCC will publish related costs to students at the beginning of each academic year to which they apply. UCC Academic Services will provide details to those students identified as requiring additional hours at the end of the academic year. Students will be required to pay in full when they register in person with the Registry department. The fees due are dependent on the volume of hours to be completed, are due for each additional academic year required and are non-refundable. The fees for 2023/24 range from £200 for completion of 1 -24 hours to £800 for completion of 75 hours or above. Please see the course handbook for additional information.
Awarding/Validation Body	University of East Anglia

Course Structure

As a student, you will embark on a comprehensive study of the works of internationally-renowned psychologist Dr. Carl Rogers, as well as modern developments within the person-centred approach. You will develop a strong theoretical understanding of a range of perspectives on the human psyche and receive continuous feedback on your developing skills. When prepared, you will benefit from the unique opportunity of working with real clients through the institution’s own counselling service, for which clinical supervision is provided. Issues for clients and work in mental health settings are considered in depth, and will continue to inform your professional practice with clients.

The DipHE is made up of two levels over 2 years: the Certificate in Higher Education which is studied in year one, and the Diploma which is studied in year two. College-based learning makes up much of the programme and, in addition, clinical work and supervision are arranged on an individual basis, and take place on a non-college day.

The first year focuses on person-centred theory and practice in-depth with taught elements, seminars, tutorial and personal development groups. The use of role play is a significant part of the programme. By the second year students are working with clients under supervision and deepening their grasp of theory and practice. Different therapeutic modalities are studied and commonalities as well as significant differences explicated and critiqued.

Successful completion of the Diploma programme leads to the award of a Diploma of Higher Education: Person-centred Counselling (which is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and has been for over 20 years).

The DipHE in Person-centred Counselling is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and is studied by students at University Centre Colchester at Colchester Institute over two years.

Delivery is through a range of methods including lectures, seminars, case-study, discussions and workshops. A variety of assessment strategies will be used including assignments, case studies, work-based projects, patchwork texts and extended research study/dissertation.

Conditions of participation for online and telephone counselling.

In year 2, you will be assessed for competency in Online & Phone Therapy (OPT) by professional practice tutors. This is prior to counselling clients via video or telephone in accordance with BACP OPT guidelines. The opportunity to work with clients online is offered, once students have experience of counselling clients in-person. Ensuring you have suitable surroundings to undertake remote working also forms part of the online assessment process. This includes, but not limited to:

Suitable computer with adequate Wi-Fi and virus protection

Telephone with headset

A private and professional working space free from distractions.

Course Delivery

The course is delivered predominantly on campus and requires you to attend two full days per week, with additional days in year two for client work and supervision.

The course has embedded the BACP Online & Phone Therapy (OPT) curriculum within the training programme. Teaching will be online when this element of the training is delivered. This will represent no more than 30% of the total learning.

You will be required to have an appropriate learning space outside the university centre, including suitable technology and a private space for learning. This will include a private space for remote client work.

Year One (Level 4)

Module Code and Title:

DHPC01C-BAPC01C Introduction to Counselling Practice (20 Credits)

What’s it about?

The module will equip students with initial understanding and experience of a classical, Rogerian person-centred approach to therapeutic counselling and the potential to develop person-centred attitudes, qualities and communication skills.

What do I learn?

The module is primarily experiential, providing opportunities for students to increase their awareness of self and others through regular, small group ‘practice’ interaction and feedback processes. Students will also be introduced to the psychological and philosophical concepts underpinning the classical person-centred approach to therapy. With guidance and support form tutors and from peers, students will have opportunities to evaluate their own and others’ practical development.

What’s the assignment?

Students will write a reflective essay entitled, ‘My development as a person-centred counsellor’
Students will keep records of weekly 20 minute practice sessions with peers in triads/tetrads, a minimum of three of which must be observed and signed by tutor.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

Personal and Professional Development 1 (20 Credits)

What’s it about?

The module introduces students to a range of recognised models of reflective practice which will provide a framework for personal and professional development across the course. The module will provide students with opportunities for self-exploration and insight in support of their emerging congruence, empathy and unconditional positive regard (UPR) as trainees in person-centred counselling. The module will also introduce students to the BACP’s (2018) Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, specifically its ethical values, principles, personal moral qualities and trainee responsibilities. These will be explored in the context of their developing person-centred practice.

What do I learn?

Students will develop and demonstrate self-awareness and understanding by reflecting on themselves and their interactions with others in a weekly personal and professional learning record.

Participation in facilitated experiential groups will support students’ developing awareness of their own personal and relational processes, including negotiating any inherent tensions with peers. Students will also undertake a minimum of 5 hours of personal therapy over the semester to further support their personal development and keep a log of these sessions signed by their personal therapist.

What’s the assignment?

Students will make a weekly learning record based on their experiences primarily of this module, as well of their whole learning experience on the course and in their personal lives, as a formative task. This will be used as a basis for the summative Personal Statement.
Students will keep a log of their hours in personal therapy, to be signed at each attendance by their therapist.
Students will make a presentation to their experiential group and tutor which outlines their learning and their ‘growing edge’ in relation to practice with peers in the following semester.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

Self and Social Awareness (20 Credits)

What’s it about?

The module is designed to enable learners to gain a working knowledge of Equality Law and the impact on Counselling.

What do I learn?

Students will examine and explore anti-discriminatory practice. The module will introduce students to the potential challenges of working with a diverse clientele and will explore individual responses to difference and the potential impact of this on person-centred client work.

This module will also consider individuals in social context including family, work and education, incorporating sociological concepts such as the life course, throughout. The work of sociological theorists such as Durkheim, Marx and Goffman will be explored. Students will analyse their own and others’ life course, incorporating awareness of diverse client groups and the way in which this relates to their future professional practice.

What’s the assignment?

Students will make a presentation to peers and tutor entitled ‘Anti-discriminatory practice in Counselling’
Students will write an auto-ethnographic account of personal experiences in the context of equality, diversity and social identity, entitled ‘Who am I?’ It should explore any protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 and should make use of sociological concepts introduced on the module to reflect on the potential impact of these on counselling practice.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

Developing Counselling Practice (20 Credits)

What’s it about?

This module will equip students with a further developed understanding and experience of the person-centred approach to therapeutic counselling, supporting them to begin professional practice with clients in Year 2. In addition, students will consolidate their understanding of person-centred counselling as a form of helping. This module will also provide opportunities for students to further develop their awareness of self and others through interaction and feedback process, in preparation for professional supervision in year 2.

What do I learn?

Students will consolidate understanding of the psychological ideas underpinning the person-centred approach, including consideration of equality and diversity. With guidance and support form tutors and from peer groups, learners will have further opportunities to examine self in new ways and, consequently, evaluate their own and others’ development. Learners will be introduced to case management and professional practice procedures in line with Colchester Institute Counselling Service (CICS) policies and procedures, the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, and relevant legislation.

What’s the assignment?

Students will choose an audio-recorded session from those conducted with peers throughout the semester to submit as evidence of their competent person-centred counselling practice.
Students will write a reflective Personal Statement of Readiness for professional practice (in year 2) with reference to Task 1.
Students will keep evaluation records of weekly 30 minute practice sessions with peers in triads/tetrads, a minimum of six of which should be signed by the observing tutor.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

Personal and Professional Development 2 (20 Credits)

What’s it about?

The module develops students’ consideration of a range of recognised models of reflective practice which will provide a framework for personal and professional development across the course. The module will provide students with further opportunities for self-exploration and insight in support of their developing congruence, empathy and unconditional positive regard (UPR) as trainees in person-centred counselling.

What do I learn?

The module will further develop students understanding of the BACP’s (2018) Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, specifically its ethical values, principles, personal moral qualities and trainee responsibilities. These will be explored in the context of students’ developing person-centred practice with peers. Students will continue to develop and demonstrate self-awareness and understanding by reflecting on themselves and their interactions with others in a weekly personal and professional learning record.

What’s the assignment?

Students will make a weekly learning record based on their experiences primarily of this module, as well of their whole learning experience on the course and in their personal lives, as a formative task. This will be used as a basis for the summative Personal Statement.
Students will keep a log of their hours in personal therapy, to be signed at each attendance by their counsellor.
Students will make a presentation to their experiential group and tutor which evaluates their learning and future capacity to practice as a person-centred counsellor in year 2.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

Person-Centred Theory (20 Credits)

What’s it about?

The module is designed to provide students with an active understanding of the person-centred approach, both in terms of developmental theory and therapeutic process.

What do I learn?

Students are offered opportunities to discuss and analyse the underpinning theory for person-centred counselling practice, including more recent developments. It will form the basis of the students’ exploration of their own experiences. Comparisons with other humanistic perspectives on developmental theory are undertaken.

What’s the assignment?

Students will write a reflective essay which forms an account of person-centred developmental theory and theory of therapy in the context of students’ own personal experiences.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

Year Two (Level 5)

Professional Practice 1 (20 Credits)

What’s it about?

This module will support and develop students’ entry into professional practice with diverse clients, together with their understanding and use of supervision and placement line management.

What do I learn?

The module will orientate students to the use of professional supervision to support their placement work with clients, and offer guidance for best use of the supervision provided, including small group and individual.

The module will provide opportunities for students to further develop the person-centred ‘core’ conditions of congruence, empathy and unconditional positive regard, as well as new insight into the therapeutic process, using such techniques as Interpersonal Process Recall (IPR). The module will revisit and investigate in depth application of person-centred and other relevant counselling theory to client work and developing practice, including assessment* and formulation.

What’s the assignment?

Students habitually record their professional practice with clients for learning purposes; they may choose any session which they feel best evidences their competent practice. Rather than submitting a whole session and a transcript, students are invited to make excerpts as above, submitting a total of 30 minutes work from a client session of 50 minutes, which must include the beginning and end of the session.
Students will be invited to a viva to discuss their professional practice and to receive feedback from a tutor.
Students will make a written, critical evaluation of their progress and development in professional practice, defining their ‘growing edge’. This should include the consideration of any peer or tutor feedback processes

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

Comparative Approaches (20 Credits)

What’s it about?

This module will consolidate students’ knowledge of the person-centred counselling approach and introduce a range of alternative approaches to counselling and psychotherapy for critical consideration and comparison. Contemporary developments such as Person-Centred Experiential ‘Counselling for Depression’ (PCE-CfD), Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) and ‘Third wave’ CB Therapies will be considered.

What do I learn?

Knowledge of a range of the major conceptual frameworks for counselling and psychotherapy will prepare students for work settings, enabling them to communicate effectively with other counsellors and psychotherapists who may not share the same philosophy of practice. The module will therefore require students to compare and contrast the Person-centred approach with at least one other major approach to counselling and psychotherapy covered on the module.

What’s the assignment?

An essay to critically compare the person-centred approach to counselling with at least one other approach covered on the module, with reference to own and/or client* issues encountered.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

Personal and Professional Development 3 (20 Credits)

What’s it about?

This module supports and facilitates further in-depth critical reflection and evaluation of personal and professional development at level 5 through participation in experiential group and the production of a creative ‘patchwork’ to record and critically reflect on learning.

What do I learn?

Recognised models of reflective learning and BACP’s (2018) Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions will provide a context for students’ critical consideration of themselves and their relationships with others, including their person-centred work with clients, in supervision and line management. Students will undertake and evidence their practice with clients in accordance with BACP’s (2018) Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, and Colchester Institute Counselling Service (CICS) placement policies and procedures.

What’s the assignment?

Students will complete a creative ‘patchwork’ (3 patches throughout the module) based on their experiences of this module, as well their whole learning experience on the course and in their personal lives, as a formative task. This will be used as a basis for the ‘way point’ Personal Statement for semester 1 of year 2, which will function as a ‘stitching piece’ for their patchwork in progress. Patches, and the related, critically reflective work, will be included with the personal statement as appendices.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

Professional Practice 2: Client Issues and Mental Health (20 Credits)

What’s it about?

This module will develop themes from Professional Practice 1 and continue to offer students the opportunity to develop their person-centred counselling practice in support of their professional work with clients. The module will also investigate common presenting and emerging client issues (including loss & grief), together with current themes and discourse in the field of mental health.

What do I learn?

Students will be supported to engage critically with a number of perspectives in the field of mental health, diagnosis, treatment, outcomes and evidence based practice. Students will grow in appreciation and understanding of the diverse range of models and treatments within current health care, social care and counselling practice and the way in which these may impact on clients.

What’s the assignment?

Students habitually record their professional practice with clients; they may choose a session which they feel best evidences their competent practice for this summative assessment.

Students will use illustrative excerpts from their submitted recording to produce a case study of their person-centred counselling work with a selected client which analyses and evaluates their practice, allowing them to compare and contrast perspectives of mental health and to evidence their anti-discriminatory approach.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

Research Appreciation (20 Credits)

What’s it about?

This module provides students with an appreciation of the historical and current impact of research on counselling, psychotherapy and related fields and its role in developing professional knowledge and practice. Students are introduced to a range of research concepts, methodologies, research processes and research skills. Development of a critical awareness of research findings will be fostered and will assist the student in the preparation and execution of the undergraduate research project.

What do I learn?

This module will prepare students to assess literature in the counselling and psychotherapy field, and to produce a critique of subject specific research. Students will also be encouraged to take a reflexive stance, acknowledging their own assumptions and biases in the evaluation of research. Students will search for papers on a chosen topic and agree on one in particular in conference with the module tutor. Papers will be presented informally for discussion in class to support students in the completion of their assignment.

What’s the assignment?

Students submit a critique of a self-selected research paper (single, primary study), using a recognised set of guidelines (e.g. CASP)

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

Personal and Professional Development 4 (20 Credits)

What’s it about?

This module supports and facilitates further in-depth critical reflection and evaluation of the relationship between personal and professional development through participation in experiential group and the continuation of a creative ‘patchwork’ to record and critically reflect on learning.

What do I learn?

Recognised models of reflective learning and BACP’s (2018) Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions will further provide a context for students’ critical consideration of themselves and their relationships with others, including their person-centred work with clients, in supervision and line management. In depth consideration of ethical issues and dilemmas will also feature on the module.

What’s the assignment?

Students will complete a creative ‘patchwork’ (3 patches throughout the module) based on their experiences of this module, as well their whole learning experience on the course and in their personal lives, as a formative task. This will be used as a basis for the summative Personal Statement for Year 2 (or the DipHE). Students will clearly identify and plan for their future CPD requirements.

Want to know more?

To see the module description, please click here.

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All Fees and prices shown on the website are for courses starting in the 2024-25 academic year and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

The course information describes programmes offered by University Centre Colchester at Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. University Centre Colchester at Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.

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