Counselling Studies - Level 3 Certificate (CPCAB)
Course Type
Further Education
Study Mode
Part-time
Duration
1 Year
Start & End Date
10 September 2026
3 June 2027
Days
Thu
Time
09:00-13:00
Location
Ballymena
This Level 3 qualification is intended for candidates who have already acquired a recognised Level 2 certificate in counselling skills and want to take the next step in training to become a counsellor. Candidates will learn more about counselling theory, ethics and mental health, in preparation for further training and future work as a professional counsellor in an agency setting.
This qualification does not lead to employment as it is designed as pre- practitioner training for professional counselling qualifications.
For further information on course content, delivery, and assessment, please see the candidate guide on the CPCAB website, which can be found at http://www.cpcab.co.uk/qualifications/cst-l3#documents.
If you have less than 250 employees you may be eligible for funding for this course. Contact our Business Engagement Team.
Candidates must have a minimum of a Level 2 in counselling skills training, e.g. CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or equivalent units/qualifications of at least 75 Guided Learning Hours.
In the event of the course being oversubscribed, criteria may be enhanced.
| Year | Fee | Reduced Fee* |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £391 | £299 |
| Total |
*For eligibility criteria, visit our fees and funding page.
You must arrange payment of your fees at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer please contact the College to confirm that an approved Employer Consent Form has been completed and uploaded to the online admissions portal.
Direct Debit Payment
You can arrange for fees to paid by instalments if you are enrolling on a course(s) of 16 weeks duration or more and the total cost is greater than £200. Full details are available on our Fees and Funding page.
Funding
If you have applied for funding, you must provide evidence of your application, such as an acknowledgement email or confirmation from the Education Authority or Student Finance NI. This evidence should be uploaded to the online admissions portal and may also be submitted at any reception. Once your funding has been approved, upload confirmation to the online admissions portal and email a copy studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk. Find out more about available funding options.
If application for funding is unsuccessful the student is liable for payment of fees in full. All fees to be collected by 28 February 2027.
Contact Details
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk
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 this course at Northern Regional College:
Staff Team
This Level 3 qualification is intended for candidates who have already acquired a recognised Level 2 certificate in counselling skills and want to take the next step in training to become a counsellor. Candidates will learn more about counselling theory, ethics and mental health, in preparation for further training and future work as a professional counsellor in an agency setting.
This qualification does not lead to employment as it is designed as pre- practitioner training for professional counselling qualifications.
For further information on course content, delivery, and assessment, please see the candidate guide on the CPCAB website, which can be found at http://www.cpcab.co.uk/qualifications/cst-l3#documents.
If you have less than 250 employees you may be eligible for funding for this course. Contact our Business Engagement Team.
Candidates must have a minimum of a Level 2 in counselling skills training, e.g. CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or equivalent units/qualifications of at least 75 Guided Learning Hours.
In the event of the course being oversubscribed, criteria may be enhanced.
Course Fees
| Year | Fee | Reduced Fee* |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £391 | £299 |
| Total |
*For eligibility criteria, visit our fees and funding page.
You must arrange payment of your fees at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer please contact the College to confirm that an approved Employer Consent Form has been completed and uploaded to the online admissions portal.
Direct Debit Payment
You can arrange for fees to paid by instalments if you are enrolling on a course(s) of 16 weeks duration or more and the total cost is greater than £200. Full details are available on our Fees and Funding page.
Funding
If you have applied for funding, you must provide evidence of your application, such as an acknowledgement email or confirmation from the Education Authority or Student Finance NI. This evidence should be uploaded to the online admissions portal and may also be submitted at any reception. Once your funding has been approved, upload confirmation to the online admissions portal and email a copy studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk. Find out more about available funding options.
If application for funding is unsuccessful the student is liable for payment of fees in full. All fees to be collected by 28 February 2027.
Contact Details
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk