FdA Counselling at Teesside University

Programme overview

The FdA Counselling provides professional training in counselling, giving a theoretical framework and the practitioner skills needed to work safely and effectively as a counsellor. It takes a person-centred approach, with psychodynamic and cognitive behaviour therapy explored as comparative approaches. It is an award of Teesside University delivered in partnership with Darlington College and Hartlepool College.

Department: Psychology | Duration: 2 years full-time; 3 years part-time | Intake: September | Study mode: full-time, part-time | Location: Middlesbrough, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 covers Person-centred Theory and Practice, Counselling Skills Practice, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Developing Skills for Professional Practice. Year 2 covers Psychodynamic Approaches, Advanced Counselling Skills, Counselling Approaches and Practice, Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing and Understanding Research in Counselling. The course includes a minimum of 100 hours of supervised clinical practice and 20 hours of personal therapy.

Career pathways

The curriculum is aligned to British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) requirements, and graduates are encouraged to work towards BACP accreditation.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

GCSE English grade C (or 4) and a QCF Level 3 achievement or equivalent in counselling. Applicants with at least two years' counselling experience within a counselling agency, supported by agency/work-based or subject-specific training and mentoring, are considered following a successful interview. Suitable candidates are invited for interview. Two written references are required, and applicants must declare criminal convictions; DBS enhanced checks are carried out before clinical practice. Applicants must complete 100 practice hours in a supervised placement by the end of year 2 and 20 hours of personal therapy (about 30 pounds per session). Applications are not accepted from international students requiring a Student Visa.

Domestic applicants: GBP 6,500 a year (2026/27). Full-time, 2 years Source

Intake: September

Duration: 2 years full-time; 3 years part-time

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