Iron Mill College offers a warm, supportive place to study, and the option to progress onto our Integrative Counselling BA top-up course to gain a full degree. You’ll learn from experienced, practicing counsellors who bring real‑world expertise to every session.
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Recognised for our graduate success, we’re shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2025.
Overview
Throughout this course, you’ll learn through a mix of classroom sessions and hands‑on placement experience. You’ll explore key counselling theories that shape different styles of counselling practice, and you’ll have regular opportunities to put your learning into action. This will help you build a clear understanding of the wide range of mental health support available to clients.
You'll focus on respect, empathy and understanding people in the context of their lives. Learn about different counselling models, including Person‑Centred, Existential, Transactional Analysis, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic ideas. With a strong focus on building real connection and being fully present, you'll gain the skills to develop your own personal style as a future counselling practitioner.
As you progress through the course, each module introduces you to a new area of counselling, such as identity, relationships, and art therapy. You’ll also gain specialist training in online and telephone counselling, helping you build a strong set of skills for today’s growing digital therapy world. By exploring the latest research, you’ll grow your critical and creative thinking, supporting you to choose the counselling path that feels right for you.
Alongside theory, you’ll learn how a person’s background, culture, and life experiences can shape their mental health needs, and how these factors influence the most effective type of counselling support. You will also study the ethics of counselling and understand the legal, professional and organisational responsibilities that ensure safe, anti‑discriminatory practice.
Placements
You’ll be required to complete 100 hours of one-to-one supervised counselling practice across the full course, alongside engaging in work-based learning such as attending conferences, attending staff training whilst on placement or working with local counselling agencies or organisations.
Through this you’ll gain hands-on training as you apply theory to practice and understand the practical context behind ways of working.
You will have support in finding approved placement and work-based learning opportunities local to you and will have chances to meet professional counsellors and build your personal network of contacts.
Course content
Each module is focused on providing hands-on learning opportunities, so you can apply your learning consistently and develop your practical skills and experience. Practical and reflective elements are woven throughout the whole programme, helping you build strong counselling skills and a deeper understanding of therapeutic practice.
We regularly review our courses to reflect the latest research and developments in the subject area, as well as feedback from students, employers and the wider sector. As a result, modules may change to ensure the course remains current and relevant.
Careers
Through your placement you will also have the chance to build your professional network, which will help you stay connected to employers and local employment opportunities after you complete your placement.
This foundation degree will you open you up to opportunities within a range of organisations such as:
- NHS
- Schools and Universities
- Local authority
- Charities
- Private practice
After completing the course, you will also be eligible to progress onto our Integrative Counselling BA top-up degree, providing you with a full undergraduate degree and further opportunities to either progress your career or continue with your training, such as taking our MSc Counselling postgraduate course.
Course highlights
Teaching and assessment
You’ll be taught both on campus and through online teaching through a balance of lectures, creative activities, skills practice, group working and reflective practice providing lots of chances to apply what you’ve learnt and gain hands-on practical experience.
Both informal and formal assessments will be part of each module, giving you the chance to demonstrate your knowledge and skills and gain regular feedback to help you develop your practice. Typically, you’ll be completing essays, case studies skills assessments and engaging in interviews and creating portfolios and presentations.
Teaching and assessment contents
Teaching is via blended learning and will be delivered through attendance at Iron Mill College (70%) and via online teaching (30%).
You will be taught through a combination of formal lectures, creative activities, experiential exercises, group processes, presentations, skills practice, large and small group activities, and reflective practice.
OPT (Online and Phone Therapies) competencies will be taught via online synchronous learning. There is a strong emphasis on applying theory to practice within all modules. You will also have the opportunity to develop skills as well as graduate attributes through the Work Based Learning modules and clinical placement.
In addition, meetings with Personal Academic Tutors (PATs) are scheduled on at least four occasions in the first year and three occasions in each of the other years of a course.
The University places emphasis on enabling you to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support from Student Services and Library Services, as well as the Personal Academic Tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will help you to flourish and be successful. This includes preparing you regarding employability for counselling in online and telephone contexts as well as face-to-face.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff points required: 32
| Qualification | Grade |
|---|---|
| A-level | EE |
| T-level | 72 |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | PPP |
- Completed at least 30 hours of preliminary counselling training. Applicants not meeting this requirement will be recommended to take the Iron Mill College Certificate in counselling
- Possess a Level 3 (or equivalent) qualification. Applicants not meeting this requirement will be assessed for academic writing ability
- Applicants must provide a personal statement on application and provide two references.
- Provide proof of identification
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.
Fees
Fees contents
UK and EU students
In 2026/27 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £9,790 per year.
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
International students
In 2026/27 the standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees is £17,200 per year.
Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may increase each year for both new and continuing students.
For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
How to apply
How to apply contents
Applying through UCAS
UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.
Read our how to apply pages for more information on the application process, or if you’d like to apply for part-time study.
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Admissions at Iron Mill
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