Counselling and Psychotherapy

at Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute

Award

BSc (Hons)

Study option

Location

Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute

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Developing Professional Skills

Work with a range of practising therapists and clinical supervisors to develop your own personal philosophy

Gain experience

Develop your counselling skills whilst working in placements with clients to complete this award, professionally accredited by BACP

Study with the experts

Learn from academics who are practising counsellors, psychotherapists and supervisors

Our BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy will provide you with a sound knowledge of the theory underpinning practice of Humanistic and Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy and supports the acquisition of the clinical skills necessary for safe and ethical practice.

This qualification, covering both the clinical and academic components, enables graduates of this programme to be equipped as recognised professionals in the profession of counselling and psychotherapy.

You will develop professional skills through daily skills practice and observation at workshops throughout the training and through 200 hours of supervised clinical practice on placement in years 2 and 3, meaning you will have acquired significant experience in the profession by the end of the course.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy

Course content

The course will bring you in to contact with a range of experienced and currently practising therapists – your Tutors, your clinical supervisors and your personal therapist – from whom you will learn your profession. You will have the opportunity to observe live work and your own development as a therapist will be supported by regular feedback from Tutors and peers in workshops.

The BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy emphasises the importance of the person of the therapist as a primary tool in counselling and psychotherapy. Your personal development will be supported and taken forward through regular personal therapy, reflection in your personal learning journal and engagement with your peers in daily group process in each workshop.

You will have the opportunity to develop your own personal philosophy of counselling throughout the course and to pursue an area of interest through your final dissertation.
The course will challenge you personally, professionally and academically, you will develop relationships with peers which will support you as you enter the profession, and you will join SPTI’s community of trainee and practising counsellors and psychotherapists.

Professional body accreditation

Accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

Location

You will study at Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.

Established in 1987, the Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute (SPTI) is a not for profit educational organisation specialising in training counsellors and psychotherapists. They offer professional and academic qualifications, ranging from introductory to masters level.

Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute website

Entry requirements

Entry is through submission of an application form, evidence of qualifications, 2 suitable references, a satisfactory criminal records check and a personal interview. The following requirements comply with both QAA and BACP’s standards for training in psychotherapy:

Evidence of study at RQF (Recognised Qualifications Framework) level 3 qualification (or equivalent) – e.g. A level, NVQ, BTEC
Evidence of successful completion of a basic, (preferably) face-to-face, Counselling Skills course (minimum 30 hours)
Evidence of relevant experience of working with people in a responsible or supportive role
Attendance at an SPTI Information Day

Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements for entry, but satisfy criteria relating to ‘relevant work and/or life experience, may be asked to complete a short essay in order to demonstrate their capacity to study at the relevant academic level in addition to providing evidence of other qualifications.

Where English is not your first language, you must demonstrate a pass in either:

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element), or
TOEFL iBT 87 (no less than 21 in listening and writing, 22 in reading and 23 in speaking), or
CELE pre-course of study

SPTI can only consider applications from applicants who satisfy HOME fee residential status criteria e.g. UK/EU/EEA including Switzerland. SPTI is not a UK Home Office registered sponsor and we are unable to admit international students.

SPTI welcomes applications for the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL). If you think that past experiences and learning may be used toward gaining formal credit toward study at SPTI, you may be able to apply for APL.

Interviews

Interviews are conducted with the Programme Leader or an experienced professional counsellor/psychotherapist and is likely to be for a minimum of 30 minutes duration. At interview, you will need to demonstrate that you have, or have the potential to develop, the following attributes:

Self-awareness, maturity and stability
Ability to reflect on life experiences and utilise constructive feedback
Capacity to cope with the emotional and intellectual demands of the programme
Ability to form a helping relationship
Awareness of issues of diversity and equality, prejudice and oppression
Ability to recognise the need for personal and professional support

Careers

Many graduates progress into employment within the field or develop their own practice. Further supervision training is available for those wishing to develop their skills.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We know that our students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical sessions. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor (or equivalent) at least twice a year to help support you in your studies. You will be taught in high-quality learning spaces throughout your course, and of course will have access to virtual learning environments to enhance your learning opportunities. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module will give you a variety of opportunities to receive informal feedback from your tutor.

These may include classroom discussions, discussions in the virtual learning environment, presentations, milestone assessments, and practice assessments. Informal feedback is developmental and any grades you may receive for these do not count towards your module mark.

There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on formal coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats, including one-to-one discussions with your tutor. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Fees

Fees information is currently unavailable.

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Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.