Counselling and Counselling Skills (Certificate of Higher Education)
Cert HE
Key information
Key information for 2026-27
Key information for 2027-28
Course Overview
On our Certificate of Higher Education in Counselling and Counselling Skills you will be able to reflect on questions such as, why do we all experience things differently and why is it sometimes so tricky to make sense of our feelings? How does the current sociopolitical world affect our emotional world, and how do inner and outer experiences relate to one another? You will also practise listening and responding skills in the classroom.
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Why choose this course?
- This course is ideal if you are interested in gaining counselling skills and understanding a variety of different approaches. You can use it to help you move onto further training to become a qualified counsellor.
- You will be taught by experienced and currently practising counsellors and psychotherapists.
- Successful completion also allows you to progress on to our BA Psychosocial Studies, with or without the Psychodynamic Counselling pathway, or study a related subject such as the BSc Psychology or the MSc Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy.
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What will I learn?
You will develop your self-awareness and an understanding of the complexity of each person’s emotional experience. Together, we will explore feelings, thoughts and how our external world affects us, such as through family, work and wider sociocultural factors.
You will have the opportunity to practise self-reflection through experiential learning in regular group work and in practising basic counselling skills. You will also learn about the key values and concepts of different counselling theories and techniques.
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How will I learn?
You will be taught via lectures, seminars, and through experiential learning and focused listening and skills-based exercises.
You can study this course over one year, with classes taking place in the daytime or evening.
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How often will I attend classes?
Full-time October start: One morning or evening a week plus some Saturdays, October to July.
Full-time January start: One morning or evening a week plus some Saturdays, January to December. -
Course disclaimer
Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.
Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.
More Highlights
- Birkbeck has been training psychodynamic counsellors and psychotherapists for more than 50 years, and its courses specialise in training counsellors to work in a wide range of organisations.
- Birkbeck’s counselling courses have a strong focus on the psychosocial context, exploring difference and diversity in the therapeutic endeavour.
- Birkbeck offers extensive facilities and support for students, such as our library and regular study skills sessions.
Modules and Teaching
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Starting in October 2026
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One year full-time, on campus
Course structure
You must take four core modules worth a total of 120 credits.
Alternatively if you wish to try a standalone accredited Introduction to Counselling module in term 1, and then pursue the rest of the CertHE in Counselling and Counselling Skills, you will be able to apply for entry for the following academic year, joining the remaining modules to attain a full Certificate in Higher Education.
Core modules
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Starting in January 2027
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One year full-time, on campus
Course structure
You must take four core modules worth a total of 120 credits.
Alternatively if you wish to try a standalone accredited Introduction to Counselling module in term 1, and then pursue the rest of the CertHE in Counselling and Counselling Skills, you will be able to apply for entry for the following academic year, joining the remaining modules to attain a full Certificate in Higher Education.
Core modules
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Starting in October 2027
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One year full-time, on campus
Course structure
You must take four core modules worth a total of 120 credits.
Alternatively if you wish to try a standalone accredited Introduction to Counselling module in term 1, and then pursue the rest of the CertHE in Counselling and Counselling Skills, you will be able to apply for entry for the following academic year, joining the remaining modules to attain a full Certificate in Higher Education.
Core modules
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Starting in January 2028
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One year full-time, on campus
Course structure
You must take four core modules worth a total of 120 credits.
Alternatively if you wish to try a standalone accredited Introduction to Counselling module in term 1, and then pursue the rest of the CertHE in Counselling and Counselling Skills, you will be able to apply for entry for the following academic year, joining the remaining modules to attain a full Certificate in Higher Education.
Core modules
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Teaching
We encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to help ensure you have the best learning experience and provide a range of different modes of learning to help you juggle study with work and other commitments.
What are the methods of teaching?
Teaching involves a mix of formal academic teaching (lectures and seminars), skills teaching (focused listening and responding, skills-based exercises such as role play and triad work) and experiential learning. You will practise skills necessary for understanding a range of experiences, including the impact of trauma and the wider social world on emotional and relational functioning. Experiential learning in groups will take place to deepen self-knowledge and explore self-other dynamics.
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How will I be assessed?
Assessment is by short written essays, case studies, presentations based on groupwork and self-reflective accounts, and the development of counselling skills and self-knowledge. Some assignments will include submissions in audio-visual, mind map and comparative chart format.
Please see individual modules for more details.
Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.
Entry Requirements
An interest in counselling and counselling skills and their application to a work context would be useful, and experience of paid or unpaid work in a helping role would be helpful for the development of your learning.
Please note: full-time Cert HEs are not eligible for Student visa sponsorship. This means that if you require a Student visa to study in the UK you will not be eligible to apply for this course due to UK visa regulations.
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What are the English language requirements?
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.
Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.
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Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)
If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.
Fees
One year full-time, on campus
Academic year 2026-27, starting in October 2026
Full-time home students: £7,110 per year
Full-time international students: £7,110 per year
Academic year 2026-27, starting in January 2027
Full-time home students: £7,110 per year
Full-time international students: £7,110 per year
Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027
Full-time home students: £7,320 per year
Full-time international students: £7,320 per year
Academic year 2027-28, starting in January 2028
Full-time home students: £7,320 per year
Full-time international students: £7,320 per year
Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.
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Birkbeck's Lifelong Learning Guarantee
If you've studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a reduction on the tuition fee of this course.
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Tuition fees and maintenance loans
Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don't have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.
Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to help cover living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.
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Can I apply for an international scholarship?
We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. View Birkbeck's available scholarships.
Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.
Careers and employability
On completing this CertHE in Counselling and Counselling Skills you will have gained a set of valuable attributes and skills, for example:
- skills in a range of helping roles
- greater awareness in groups and working contexts
- skills in evaluating and assessing counselling theory
- the ability to reflect on social identity and role in a range of contexts
- the academic knowledge and practical skills to embark on further counselling training and to be considered for our MSc Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy.
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
Student Support
Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.
Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.
Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.
Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.
Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.
How to Apply
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When should I apply?
You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.
You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.
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How can I get help with my application?
Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.
Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.
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International agents
If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.
Related courses
Study routes for Counselling and Counselling Skills (Certificate of Higher Education) (Cert HE)
Please select a study route below to continue your application.
Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.
Important: Applications to study part-time in 2027/28 will open in October 2026.
2026-27
Full-time
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One year full-time, on campus starting in October 2026
Apply Now Counselling and Counselling Skills (Certificate of Higher Education) (Cert HE) One year full-time, on campus starting in October 2026 -
One year full-time, on campus starting in January 2027
Apply Now Counselling and Counselling Skills (Certificate of Higher Education) (Cert HE) One year full-time, on campus starting in January 2027