Adult & Higher Education

This course is for those students who have successfully completed a Level 5 Foundation Degree or Diploma and are currently practicing as a Counsellor. Those who have successfully completed a Level 4 Diploma may be considered for a place on the course and will need to show evidence of professional and personal development since completing the Level 4 course. They will be required to complete an additional module to prepare them for study at Level 6 and an additional fee will apply. Please contact the Counselling team for further information.

This programme has been developed and is delivered and assessed by Peter Symonds College, and is awarded and quality assured by Middlesex University. Students will receive an award from Middlesex University on successful completion.

This course involves: 

• attendance at 8 weekend modules (Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am – 5:30pm)
• 9 additional Supervision Sundays
• attendance at Professional Development Group
• maintaining a personal reflective learning journal.

Students will be actively involved in the assessment processes through self, group and peer assessment. The major vehicle for assessment will be the Personal Reflective Learning Journal which students maintain throughout the course of the year. In addition to this there are formal written assessments one of which will involve research.

In addition to the hours at College you will be expected to set time aside for:

• your counselling practice
• supervision 
• reading and researching
• preparation of assessments
• maintaining a personal reflective learning journal.

Please note the following dates: 

Induction: Sunday 6th September 2026

Weekends: 

• 26th & 27th September 2026 (Research 6001)
• 3rd & 4th October 2026 (EVP 6005)
• 14th & 15th November 2026 (EVP 6005)
• 5th & 6th December 2026 (Brief 6006)
• 16th & 17th January 2027 (Existential 6006)
• 6th & 7th February 2027 (Couples 6006)
• 20th & 21st March 2027 (Research 6001)
• 15th & 16th May 2027 (PD 6002)

Supervision Sundays:

• Sunday 13th September 2026
• Sunday 18th October 2026
• Sunday 8th November 2026
• Sunday 31st January 2027
• Sunday 28th February 2027 
• Sunday 25th April 2027
• Sunday 9th May 2027
• Sunday 13th June 2027
• Sunday 27th June 2027

Modules include: 

• Professional Enquiry
• Clinical Practice and Professional Development and Ethics
• Expanding Vision and Practice
• Working with Brief Therapy
• Working with Couples and Relationships
• Working with Existential Dilemmas

Level 4 Diploma in Humanistic Counselling plus evidence of CPD or a Level 5 Diploma in Humanistic Counselling or the equivalent. All students must have GCSE English (or equivalent) at Grade C / 4-9 or above. Applicants with a Level 4 Diploma will be required to complete an additional module to prepare them for study at Level 6.

The course will provide the student with a good basis from which to access Masters level courses in psychotherapy and / or counselling. Progression could also include our Level 6 Certificate in Clinical Supervision.