Integrative Counselling BA (Hons) Top-up Degree
Program Overview
The University of Worcester's Integrative Counselling BA (Hons) Top-up Degree is a one-year program designed for graduates with a Foundation Degree in Counselling. It combines theoretical learning with practical experience, equipping students with advanced counselling skills and knowledge. The program emphasizes specialization, personal development, and career advancement, preparing graduates for diverse roles in the counselling profession.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The University of Worcester's Integrative Counselling BA (Hons) Top-up Degree
is designed for students who already hold a Foundation Degree (FdA) in Counselling and are seeking to upgrade their qualifications to a full Honours Degree. The program is delivered at Iron Mill College in Exeter and takes one year to complete. It combines theoretical learning with practical experience, aiming to equip graduates with a professional portfolio of skills that can be applied in their careers.
Objectives:
- Enable graduates to develop and enhance their counselling knowledge and skills.
- Offer a specialization in a chosen area of counselling.
- Encourage a broad understanding of integrative counselling in the 21st century.
- Provide an opportunity for professional development and career advancement.
Key Features:
- An innovative and comprehensive program focused on professional development.
- Opportunity to pursue individual interests and research within the field.
- Integration of theory and practice through work-based learning and personal therapy.
- Outstanding individual support from experienced teaching staff.
Outline:
Year 1
- IMIC3000: Advanced Professional Practice (30 credits)
- IMIC3003: Specialist Work Based Learning (30 credits)
- IMIC3004: Research for Counselling Practitioners (30 credits)
- IMIC3005: Counselling in the 21st Century (30 credits)
Structure:
The program consists of four modules, each worth 30 credits. It typically involves around 6.25 contact hours of teaching per week, supplemented by independent study. Students are expected to undertake approximately 30-50 hours of work-based learning, 20 hours of personal therapy, and 50 hours of ongoing counselling practice with supervision.
Assessment:
Assessment methods include essays, oral exams, assignments, professional portfolio development, case presentations, research projects, and recorded counselling sessions. Each module has one formal assessment that contributes to the overall module grade. Additionally, continuous feedback is provided through supervision, practice assessments, and participation in experiential exercises.
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
The program utilizes a diverse range of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, experiential exercises, group work, action methods, discussion groups, clinical skills development, creative work, and individual research.
Faculty:
Students are taught by experienced practitioners with professional qualifications and ongoing supervised practice, ensuring a high quality learning experience. The teaching team includes Fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA), guaranteeing a strong foundation in academic teaching and learning.
Unique Approaches:
The program features innovative elements such as:
- Individual focus on developing a specialized area of expertise.
- Integration of theoretical concepts with practical application through work-based learning.
- Emphasis on personal development and reflective practice.
- Opportunities for research and exploration of emerging trends in counselling.
Careers:
Possible Career Paths:
Upon completion of the program, graduates can pursue careers in various settings, including:
- NHS initiatives like Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
- Educational institutions such as schools, colleges, and universities
- Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)
- Local Authority employee services programmes
- Charitable agencies
- Private practice
Career Development:
The program is designed to equip graduates with advanced skills and knowledge that are in high demand within the counselling profession. They gain the ability to make a significant impact on service provision and pursue diverse career opportunities.
Other:
- The program recognizes prior learning through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) pathways for qualified and experienced counsellors.
- Additional costs associated with the program include professional body membership fees, supervision costs (if not provided by the placement), and personal therapy expenses.
- Students are required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate upon acceptance to the program.
Tuition Fees and Payment Information:
Full-time tuition fees
UK and EU students
The standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2024/25 academic year is £9,250 per year.
International students
The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2024/25 academic year is £16,200 per year.
Part-time tuition fees
UK and EU students
The standard tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the academic year 2024/25 are £1,156 per 15-credit module, £1,542 per 20-credit module, £2,312 per 30-credit module, £3,083 per 40-credit module, £3,469 per 45-credit module and £4,625 per 60 credit module.
Additional costs
There are additional costs related to most counselling programmes, such as professional body membership fees, supervision if not provided by the placement, and personal therapy costs. For a breakdown of expected additional costs on this programme, please see the 'Fees' tab on the BA (Hons) in Integrative Counselling page of the Iron Mill College website. Students will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate via the University following acceptance of a place on the course.
