Integrative Counselling Practice - Foundation Degree

Essentials

Duration: 3 Years Part-time
Start date: 1st September 2025
End date: 27th August 2028
Day: Wed
Time: 09:00-17:30
Information Event: Yes

Course fee: To be confirmed

This practice-based professional programme in counselling, responds to evidenced public need  in NI and has been designed in consultation with industry partners, professional and academic bodies.   The course is offered part-time over 3 years of study.  It is awarded and validated by Ulster University and is accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and successful completion of the full award confers fitness to practice counselling.

The FdSc Integrative Counselling Practice is accredited by the National Counselling Society and, subject to our Terms & Conditions, is a route onto a national register of counsellors which is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Course Content

The course is structured around 11 compulsory taught modules (see MODULES, below).  These are delivered via a blended approach to teaching and learning which involves opportunities for face to face lectures, student led seminars, group work, counselling practice with peers and online teaching. 

All modules are assessed via course work in keeping with Ulster University regulations.  These include case study preparation, essays, audio-recorded skills work with peers or clients, reflective journaling, presentations, viva and the development of a portfolio of work.  In addition to academic work, reports from clinical supervisor and placement mentors are intrinsic to the successful completion of the course.  Formative feedback is offered to support student development. A minimum of 40% is required for successful completion of all modules.  

In addition to the taught academic modules, students are required to complete the following:

• 100 hours supervised clinical placement working within a counselling organisation of their choice
• 30 hours personal therapy, completed with a suitably qualified therapist
• 50 hours work-based learning, completed in placement.

Successful completion of 240 credits of study, including the successful completion of the clinical practice components above, result in the award of Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling Practice.  All components of the course must be completed in order that students graduate from a BACP Accredited Course.

Detailed module information as well as the APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) entry requirements and dates are available within this short presentation.

Modules

Exit award

Students not wishing to become a professional counsellor may exit at the mid- point of the course.  The exit award of Certificate in Higher Education (CERTHE) in Counselling Studies, is awarded on successful completion of 120 credits at L4.  This non-practice option, acknowledges counselling knowledge and skill development, but not to the level required for professional practice.

Course Team

All tutors 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 role.  The following teaching team deliver the FdSc course at Northern Regional College

Minford McBride (Course Director) 
Jacqueline McAllister (Curriculum Area Manager)  
Nicola Quigg (Lecturer)
Michelle Laverty  (Lecturer)

Clinical supervisors are appointed by students from an approved list of appropriately qualified and experienced counselling practitioners – the Ulster University Register of Counselling-Training Supervision Providers – which is renewed annually.

Placement mentors are appointed by placement agencies and work closely with the college and supervisory teams.

How to Apply

The application process involves submission of an application and completion of interview to establish suitability.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide certificated evidence of entry qualifications with their college application in order to be considered for interview.   Successful completion of all components of the admission procedures contribute to the overall admission decision.  Applications will be sifted in May and June.  Where the number of places is oversubscribed, additional criteria will be used and candidates will be called for interview by date order of application.  Please note that submission of an application does not guarantee an interview, as places may fill before all applications are reviewed. Early application is therefore advisable.

Your application will require two character references and as this course is may require work with vulnerable adults ACCESS NI checks are required for all successful applicants.

If you require any assistance with your application you can contact our admissions team.

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

The course aims to develop students with the required attributes, skills and competencies to work effectively and ethically with adults who wish to avail of professional counselling.  

Special Features

This course is validated and awarded by Ulster University and is accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Successful completion of the full award confers fitness to practice counselling. 

Assessment Methods

Case Studies, completion of personal learning journals. Tutor, peer, and self assessment, assessment of practical skills and seen and unseen examinations.

All applicants must meet the general entrance requirements and the standard offer for this course is 48 UCAS points*** as a minimum.  The requirements may be met in the following ways:

• Provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE English Language grades A-C/ 4-9 or equivalent.Essential Skills L2 Communication is acceptable) and Maths (grades A-C/4-9 or equivalent.Essential Skills L2Use of Number is acceptable).

* GCSE English Language (grades A-C/4-9 or acceptable equivalent) and maths (grades A-C/4-9 or acceptable equivalent) may be used as part of the GCSE requirement. 

• Provide evidence of passes in five subjects, two of which must be at A level (grades A-E) and three at GCSE level* (grades A-C/4-9); or
• Provide evidence of passes in four subjects, three of which must be at A level (grades A-E) and one at GCSE level* (grades A- C/4-9); or
• Provide evidence of an approved qualification at an equivalent level such as a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma or Access to Higher Education qualification or equivalent**; or
• Provide evidence, for a process of formal accreditation of learning you have gained through work or other experience (APEL).

** Examples of Level 3 qualifications include A-Levels,  for information on common alternative Level 3 qualifications, please refer to the Ulster University Entrance Requirements and Equivalence of Qualifications table 

*** For applicants who do not hold 48 UCAS points via A-Level, the University of Ulster Certificate in Counselling Studies is an acceptable alternative for progression route to this Foundation Degree.

Whilst applicants who do not possess the above qualifications may gain entry to the course through the Accreditation of Prior Learning route (APEL), please note that certificated evidence of English and Maths subjects are required and APEL for these subjects is only considered in exceptional cases.  Applicants who are considering this route should contact the Course Director or Admissions or attend advertised information evenings to discuss, as early application is recommended.

In addition to the academic requirements, applicants must demonstrate personal qualities and attributes required for counselling practice.  Completion of the Level 4 Ulster University Certificate in Counselling Studies course, or an equivalent substantial counselling qualification, is recommended and is a desirable selection criteria which will be applied where the course is over-subscribed.  

Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to check each University’s admission and progression requirements and the impact of using student finance before enrolling on a course at the College.

Graduates of the Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Integrative Counselling Practice (Level 5) may progress to level 6 BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Counselling at Ulster University and in turn further study at Master’s and PhD level.

However graduates may also begin working as counsellors upon qualification and many have progressed to part-time employment in voluntary, charitable and private sector agencies.  Since the FdSc programme is widely applicable to a range of occupations, others graduates have used the course to progress to study in Allied Healthcare professions, Human Resources, law etc. at Ulster University and elsewhere.  Please Contact the Course Director to discuss, or view Ulster prospectus online.