City of Sunderland College
UCAS Code: COU2 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
About this course
Our BA (Hons) Top Up in Counselling offers a comprehensive pathway designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed for impactful careers in counselling. Based at Bede Campus, our programme provides access to a wide range of facilities, ensuring a supportive academic environment throughout your journey.
What distinguishes our course is its focus on community integration and enhancing student pathways to employment, private practice, or the establishment of your own company and community projects.
At the core of our curriculum is a blend of theoretical foundations and practical skill development. We prioritise industry relevance, ensuring that our teaching reflects current standards and expectations. Recognising the explorative and growth-oriented nature of counselling, we champion a person-centred teaching style that encourages student voice and individuality.
Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded a BA (Hons) in Counselling, validated by the University of Hull. Join us on this transformative journey and unlock your potential to make a meaningful impact in the field of counselling.
Building upon the foundation of our Counselling Foundation Degree, our BA top up programme combines expertise and ambition. We recognise that counselling is not just a profession; it's a calling and a dedication to the betterment of lives.
It is with this understanding that we developed our programme to meet the demands of a professionalised counselling landscape. Today's counsellors are not just practitioners; they are evaluators, researchers and contributors to the advancement of knowledge in their field. Our curriculum is designed to empower you with the tools necessary to navigate this dynamic environment with confidence and competence.
We have designed a programme that goes beyond the classroom and beyond theory, into the heart of real-world application. From community projects to workshops led by industry experts, we offer opportunities for networking, skill enhancement and the development of specialisation.
We understand the importance of business acumen in today's counselling landscape. Whether you aspire to start your own private practice, or to establish a community interest company, we are here to support you in your chosen direction. Our programme aims to equips you with the essential skills and understanding to succeed, ensuring that you not only excel as counsellors but also as entrepreneurs and leaders in your field.
Modules
- A Journey into Counselling Chronicles: Crafting your Dissertation Exploration (40 credits)
This module provides students with the opportunity to engage in an in depth exploration of counselling topics agreed in tutorials with their dissertation supervisor. The module aims to support students in the development of advanced research skills, while empowering students to take responsibility for conducting thorough and critical literature reviews in preparation for their dissertation.
- Community Engagement and Project Integration (10 credits)
The Community Engagement and Project Integration module covers the key themes and topics essential for effective engagement with diverse communities. Students begin by exploring the dynamics of communities and considering various factors, such as culture, socio-economic status, deprivation and politics. Students will learn to conduct thorough needs assessments, incorporating and working with the perspectives of diverse community members.
- Counselling Insights: Bridging Research, Practice and Progress (30 credits)
The module will emphasise the significant role research plays in informing and advancing counselling practices and students will explore qualitative and quantitative approaches, with a specific focus on an in depth exploration of one qualitative method, alongside a broader understanding of research methodologies. Practical aspects of research will be explored, including the development of a research proposal and exploration of ethical considerations to enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to real world scenarios.
- Holistic Growth in Practice: Nurturing Therapeutic Excellence (20 credits)
The module evaluates the provision of counselling within employment and organisational settings, while reviewing the practicality of independent practice. The module also explores alternative approaches to the counselling relationship and considers the incorporation of perspectives from feminist and faith-based counselling approaches, with an aim to emphasise on diversity.
- All Mental Health Matters: Navigating Diverse Realities in Counselling Practice (20 credits)
This module provides an exploration of various mental health issues that counsellors may encounter in counselling practice. The module reviews differing psychological approaches to mental health issues and the therapeutic interventions used within these models.
Assessment methods
Our teaching methodology is designed to inspire and challenge, blending traditional lectures with interactive seminars, workshops, and student-led sessions. We invite guest speakers to bring real-world insights, introduce you to community projects aimed at broadening your understanding and recognition, as well as embracing the power of networking to forge connections that last a lifetime.
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