Counselling Studies - Level 4 Certificate

Essentials

Duration: 1 Year Part-time
Start date: 16th September 2025
End date: 2nd June 2026
Day: Tue
Time: 17:30-21:30
Information Event: Yes

Course fee: To be confirmed

This part-time course, is awarded by Ulster University, and will introduce students to counselling theory and skills which are useful for those who wish to work effectively in a helping role with people, in a range of professional and personal contexts. Over one year of study, students undertake three core modules, each reflecting 20 credits of study at Level 4.  Modules are:

• The Helping Relationship
• Personal Development And Interpersonal Communication
• Practical Application of the Helping Relationship

Teaching and learning is achieved by a blend of face to face lectures and seminars, group and individual activities as well as digital and online technology.  Students will learn basic psychological and communication theory and develop a range of reflective, interpersonal, communication and counselling skills, to support them in a helping role across settings.  Activities to promote self-awareness and impact on others are central and personal development is a key aspect of all three modules of the course.

Successful completion of this course does not confer fitness to practice counselling, but graduates who meet the entrance requirements may progress to the Ulster University Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling Practice which does. 

Course Team

All lecturers are qualified and experienced counsellors. This underpins the authenticity of teaching and learning activities as students engage with practitioners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the counselling or helping role.  Information about the teaching team who deliver the course at Northern Regional College:

Michelle Laverty (Course Director)  

Eimear Lennon (Course Lecturer)  

Course Content

This part-time course, is delivered 1 evening per week over two terms between September and June. Attendance is mandatory and should not be less than 90% of the course. The course runs on a Monday evening on the Magherafelt campus, and on a Tuesday evening in Ballymena.

Students undertake three core modules, each reflecting 20 credits of study at Level 4. 

Modules

• The Helping Relationship - Credit Point 20
• Personal Development and Interpersonal Communication - Credit Point 20
• Practical Application of the Helping Relationship - Credit Point 20

Upon successful completion of 60 credits of study, students are awarded a Certificate in Counselling Studies by Ulster University. 

Terms and Conditions

Northern Regional College terms and conditions.

Once accepted to the course, students are required to:

• Comply with College Policies and procedures, rules and regulations (available in your Student Diary/Higher Education Handbook and on the College VLE).
• Submit all coursework and assessments by specified dates, coursework submitted without consent after the deadline shall not normally be accepted.
• Pass all coursework with a minimum mark of 40% achieved in all modules.

Course Aims

This course will introduce students to the interpersonal and counselling theory and skills that are useful for those who wish to work effectively in a helping role with people in a range of professional and personal contexts.

Special Features

Teaching and Learning is achieved through a blended approach which combines face to face lectures and seminars, individual and peer group work and seminars, digital and online resources.  Students draw on personal and professional experience an there is an emphasis on practical role play and triad skills work with peers. 

This course is validated by Ulster University.

Assessment Methods

Assessment is 100% coursework.  Students complete a range of assignments which draw on the authentic experience of students to increase their personal and professional development and reflective ability, self-awareness and practical communication skills for helping.  Assignments may include personal learning records, case study and a practical skills evaluations. Students have opportunities for formative feedback throughout the course.

University Connections

All applications must satisfy Ulster University general entrance requirements for certificate and Diploma courses.  The standard offer for this course is 5 GCSEs (Grade A, B or C) or equivalent.  Competence in written and spoken English is required and certificated evidence of GCSE English Language or accepted equivalent is required.  Level 2 Essential Skills in Communication is acceptable.

Candidates who do not meet the general entrance requirements may apply for APEL (accreditation of experiential prior learning) to evidence their ability to undertake the course - please contact the course director as soon as possible for advice. Candidates should note that APEL may not be used to evidence the English Language requirement (GCSE or equivalent). 

It is the candidate’s responsibility to provide certificated evidence as required and to present this for inspection at interview. 

All applicants will be invited to attend an information session in May/June.

Graduates from the this Certificate course Students, who are interested in practicing counselling as a professional, may progress to the Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling Practice, which is awarded by Ulster University and accredited by the BACP.  See course details for full entry requirements.

For those students without the necessary 48 UCAS points achieved through A-Level, which are required for entrance to the Foundation Degree, the L4 Ulster University Certificate in Counselling Studies is accepted as an alternative route for progression, since Ulster University recognise the important personal development, competencies and skills achieved on the Certificate programme.  Please note that progression to the Foundation Degree also requires applicants to hold a qualification in maths.  Contact the Course Director for information on this option.

Please note that successful completion of the Ulster University Certificate in Counselling studies is a desirable criteria for application to the Ulster University Foundation Degree in  Integrative Counselling Practice and will be used for selection purposes where courses are over-subscribed.