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FdSc Counselling Skills and Therapeutic Communication

Start Date: 7th September 2026

Length 2 years
Study Full-Time
Location Rye Hill Campus

Qualification Gained

Levels Explained

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More about the course

This new Foundation Degree is the first step on your journey to becoming a counsellor.

The course has been designed to align with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). You will take part in hands-on, practical learning which will set you up perfectly to practice counselling or open your own counselling service.

This course is taught by practising counsellors and provides excellent progression opportunities. It will enable you to develop an understanding of the principles and practices of communication and counselling approaches whilst allowing you to consolidate learning in practical counselling techniques, informed by the theory of counselling practice.

Entry requirements

64 UCAS points (must include recognised Level 3 qualification in Counselling Skills).

You may be invited to attend a group interview comprising observed group activities, a written piece of work or an individual interview.

If you are a current Newcastle College student and successfully meet the published Level 3 entry criteria in an appropriate subject[s], you will be guaranteed a place on this course.

Applicants are normally expected to have achieved grade 4 or higher in GCSE Maths and English Language or the Level 2 equivalence (i.e. Functional Skills or Adult Literacy/Numeracy).

At Newcastle College University Centre we welcome applications from students studying new T-Level qualifications.

Further details on our entry requirements can be found here.

What will I achieve?

Upon successful completion of this course, you will achieve a Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Counselling Skills and Therapeutic Communication (awarded by NCG).

What will I learn?

Year One:

Foundation Counselling Theory and Skills for Practice
Developing Skills for Professional Practice
Skills for Success
Vocational Skills Practice
Exploration of Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing
Issues of Power and Oppression
Coping with Change: Theory and Practice

Year Two:

Developing Therapeutic Practice
Professional Development
Work Based Learning
Safeguarding, Ethical Foundations and Professional Practice
Biopsychology for Counselling
Transcultural Perspectives and Practice

How is the course taught?

Seminars
Practical sessions in the brand-new Counselling Suite (simulated environment)
One-to-one sessions with tutors
Group work
Independent study

How am I assessed?

In-course technical reports
Essays
Portfolios
Reflection
Case studies
Academic posters
Presentations
Peer assessments
Work-based project

Work Experience

The Foundation Degree will provide you with hands-on learning in a simulated environment, mirroring what you will experience in the Counselling profession. The is course is designed to align with the professional statutory and regulatory body, which in the UK, is the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). You will also be encouraged to undertake a voluntary work placement.

You will be encouraged to begin preparing and applying for a professional clinical placement towards the end of first year of the course. This aligns with the professional industry standards that to become qualified students will need to complete 100 hours of client work. Students who chose not to undertake a voluntary placement will still be able to complete this programme of study.

Where can I progress?

After successfully completing the first year (Level 4) of the Foundation Degree, you may choose to progress onto the second and final year (Level 4) of the FdSc. You will also be able to work in pastoral care, youth work, and family support work. On successful completion of the Foundation Degree, you may wish to progress onto the one-year BSc (Hons) Counselling Skills and Therapeutic Communication (Top-up). There is also the opportunity to progress onto the part-time Level 7 MA Professional Development for Counselling.

Course costs and information

Tuition fees vary depending on the course and mode of study. Read more about tuition fees and financial support.

Fees for international students vary depending on the course. Find out more about international fees and payments.

It's important that you know what your tuition fee includes and what other costs you'll need to plan for. Read what your fee includes here.

Your course in 60 seconds

Richard Cave

Lecturer | Counselling

"The great thing about this course that I’m teaching is that it’s a professional course, so by the end of the two years, my students have a professional qualification to go out and be a counsellor and speak to real people with real issues."

Xania Prentice

BSc (Hons) Counselling Skills and Therapeutic Communication (Top-Up)

"As an older student, learning as a beginner meant I was able to bring all my life experience onto this course. I've studied modules ranging from trauma to gender to bereavement, and all of it fascinated me. But to me, this course wasn't just about qualifying in psychology - I've found my calling here, by discovering how people work and figuring out how I could help them."