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Course type
Degree  

Degree

  • Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.
  • Internationally respected, universally understood.
  • An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.
  • Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.
  • Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
Credits
360  

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Part-time study – 6 years*
Time limit – 16 years
*See How much time do I need?
Study method
External training
Distance learning
(OU study)
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements
Ask a question

BSc (Honours) Counselling

Course code: R86

This qualification offers a full counselling training pathway as well as the opportunity for current practitioners (SCoPEd framework ‘Therapist A’ level) to acquire new advanced counsellor competencies as part of an undergraduate degree. You can study flexibly, choose practice competencies that suit you, bring in study and continuing professional development conducted in other settings, and qualify as an advanced practitioner. Developed in partnership with accredited awarding bodies, this qualification has been designed to allow you to claim ‘Therapist B’ competencies according to the SCoPEd framework. You'll engage in a unique mix of learning experiences. You will study knowledge-based modules within the OU and also utilise practice-based courses, including practical, work-based learning, which you will have taken outside of the OU delivered in conjunction with Further Education colleges and other registered training providers.

  • Designed to meet Therapist B competencies (SCoPEd framework).
  • Developed in consultation with BACP and accredited awarding bodies.
  • Allows you to use counselling training previously completed and continuous professional development experience.
  • Choice of specialisms to suit your interests or professional needs.
  • Equips you to work with clients who are in need of counselling support and mental health counselling.
Course type
Degree  

Degree

  • Also known as an undergraduate or bachelors degree.
  • Internationally respected, universally understood.
  • An essential requirement for many high-level jobs.
  • Gain a thorough understanding of your subject – and the tools to investigate, think critically, form reasoned arguments, solve problems and communicate effectively in new contexts.
  • Progress to higher level study, such as a postgraduate diploma or masters degree.
Credits
360  

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Part-time study – 6 years*
Time limit – 16 years
*See How much time do I need?
Study method
External training
Distance learning
(OU study)
Entry requirements

Find out more about Entry requirements

Ask a question

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

  • At Stage 1 you’ll either complete 120 credits of counselling study with an external provider or combine 60 credits of OU level 1 study with 60 credits from external counselling courses.
  • At Stage 2, you’ll complete an OU level 2 module and an ‘Open practice’ module which allows you to bring in externally completed client and supervision hours.
  • Finally, at Stage 3, you’ll take an OU level 3 module and a further ‘Open practice’ module.

There is a choice of routes to begin this degree.

With Route 1, you’ll complete 120 credits of certified Counselling study at FHEQ level 4 covering SCoPEd framework ‘Therapist A’ competencies. You'll take these through an approved provider, giving you the core competencies as a counsellor and the fitness to practice.

In Route 2, you’ll combine studying an introductory OU psychology and counselling module with 60 credits from certified counselling study at FHEQ level 4 from an approved provider, covering SCoPEd framework ‘Therapist A’ competencies.

Route 1

Route 1
ModulesCredits
You'll start your degree with:
Level 4 External counselling courses120

Route 2

Route 2
ModulesCredits
You'll start your degree with:
Level 4 External counselling courses60
Exploring psychological worlds: thinking, feeling, doing (D110)60

You’ll study counselling and mental health in contexts such as the criminal justice system and the service user movement. The Open practice module allows you to bring in client and supervision hours completed at placements, agencies and in private practice as well as the option to gain credit for reflecting on and assessing prior learning, such as CPD training. The learning material on this module is mapped onto the newly developed SCoPEd competencies for ‘Level B’ counsellors and will help you to expand your professional and practice knowledge, expertise and skills. 

Stage 2 modules
ModulesCredits
You'll study the following:
Exploring mental health and counselling (D241)60
Advancing your counselling practice (D230) – planned for October 202560

You’ll begin with a counselling and forensic psychology module which takes an applied approach to issues such as counselling vulnerable clients and working therapeutically with offenders. You’ll complete your degree with a further Open practice module which will enable you to meet the ‘Therapist B competencies’ as stipulated in the SCoPEd framework. This includes completing 450 supervised client hours during the training/qualification.

Stage 3 modules
ModulesCredits
You'll study the following:
Counselling and forensic psychology: investigating crime and therapy (DD310)60
Level 3 counselling open box module (D330) – planned for October 202760

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 24 April 2024.

Accessibility

Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, and we have a comprehensive range of support services. Our BSc (Honours) Counselling uses a variety of study materials includes the following elements:

  • Online study – some modules are online; some have a mix of printed and online material. Online learning resources could include websites, audio/video, and interactive activities
  • Pre-determined schedules – we’ll help you to develop your time-management skills
  • Assessment in the form of case studies, process reports, presentations and essays.
  • Feedback – continuous assessment includes feedback from your tutor and using this to improve your performance
  • Using and producing diagrams and screenshots
  • Finding external/third party material online
  • Group-work
  • Practical work
Every module has its own Accessibility Statement with more detailed accessibility information – you’ll find these on individual module descriptions. Visit our Disability support page to learn about our services.
 

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

  • Knowledge and understanding.
  • Cognitive skills.
  • Practical and professional skills.
  • Key skills.

The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.

Read the detailed learning outcomes here

Credit transfer

This degree requires you to complete core counselling training externally that is equivalent to 120-credits and which confers  eligibility to practice as a counsellor (covering SCoPEd framework ‘Therapist A’ competencies/requirements). You can count your study (and potentially other study) towards this OU qualification – saving you time and money by reducing the number of modules you need to study. At the OU we call this collaborative credit.

It’s not just university study that can be considered, you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications such as HNDs and accredited counselling courses (covering SCoPEd framework ‘Therapist A’ competencies/requirements).

If you have been awarded credit transfer for your current degree, you will need to reapply as this is a new qualification.

Classification of your degree

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our BSc (Honours) Counselling.

The class of honours (first, upper-second, lower-second or third) will depend on your grades at Stages 2 and 3.

You’ll have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.

International recognition

If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Find out more about international recognition of Open University qualifications.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website. 

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.

Before being accepted onto the first open practice module, Advancing your counselling practice (D230), you will need to provide evidence that you are eligible to register. This will involve, for example, showing that you:

  • are in a counselling practice/seeing clients (minimum 50 completed client hours per year of study)
  • are qualified to practice at ‘Level A’
  • have a professional body membership/registration
  • have cleared a criminal background check
  • have relevant practice insurance
  • will have a supervisor providing the required BACP level of supervision and authorising the logs on your counselling work.

For the external counselling training components of this qualification (counselling courses at level 4 from an approved provider covering the SCoPEd framework ‘Therapist A' competencies/requirements as outlined in this SCoPEd framework document) entry requirements are set according to each provider.

How to apply

Applications for this qualification are expected to open in mid-May and we will provide further details on the application process at that time.

How much time do I need?

  • This qualification is currently only available to be studied part-time – so six years is the time required according to prior study. 
  • This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.

How much will it cost?

We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to achieving your potential. That’s why we work hard to keep the cost of study as low as possible and have a wide range of flexible ways to pay to help spread the cost.

  • This qualification is comprised of counselling study from an approved external provider and OU modules, each with an individual fee. 
  • Fees are paid on a module-by-module basis – you won't have to pay for the whole of your qualification up front.
  • At current prices*, the total cost would depend on the route you choose to gain the qualification:
    - Route 1: 240 credits from OU modules, which costs £14,544, plus the cost of 120 credits of counselling study from an approved external provider.
    - Route 2: 300 credits from OU modules, which costs £18,180, plus the cost of 60 credits of counselling study from an approved external provider.
  • The cost of the external training can vary depending on the provider. 

*The fee information provided here is valid for courses starting before 31 July 2025. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section C of the University's Fee Rules.

Additional costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as a computer and internet access.

If your income is not more than £25,000 or you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after you start studying.

Ways to pay for your qualification and other support

Visit our Fees and funding page for a summary of the funding options available.

Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and therefore the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you.


How will I study this course?

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

  • a week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
  • course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
  • module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
  • details of each assignment and their due dates
  • a tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
  • online versions of some printed module materials and resources.

If you have additional needs, we can also provide most module materials in alternative formats. Find out more about materials on our accessibility webpage.

See how our module websites work.

Tutor support

Student, Ffion, describes why she chose the OU and how she is using her degree to progress herself further in a career she loves.

You’ll have a tutor for each module, who will introduce themselves before the module begins.

Throughout the module, they will:

  • mark your assignments and give feedback to help you improve
  • guide you to learning resources
  • support you, whether with general study skills or help with a specific topic.

Tutorials

Tutorials usually take place online, and they’re always optional.

Online tutorials are live presentations with module tutors in dedicated online tutorial rooms and are sometimes recorded.

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

  • Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

  • You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
  • They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
  • Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

  • The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
  • Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

  • Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
  • You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
  • Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location.
  • If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Progressing to a point where I felt more comfortable writing my assignments, and having my scores reflecting that, made me quite happy because it showed the hard work was being rewarded.

Patrick ‘Ricky’ Skene, BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching

Other support and resources

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to our subject-specific Student Support Teams.

They’ll help you with any general questions about your study and updates to your OU account.

To help with your studies, you’ll also have access to:

  • our online library, with high-quality online resources to support your study
  • other university libraries in the UK and Ireland
  • the online Help Centre, which has general information about OU study and support, along with study skills advice
  • free Microsoft Office 365 software
  • IT and computing support from our Computing Helpdesk.

Find out more about student support and being a part of the OU community.

Having a course that was really varied and studying in a style that worked for Nick, was key to him launching his own business and becoming an entrepreneur.

Skills for career development

As well as specific knowledge and skills in counselling, this degree course will help you to develop transferable and work-related skills that are highly valued by employers. These include skills in:

  • communication
  • numeracy
  • effective team working
  • independent and critical thinking
  • analysing and evaluating diverse sources of information, including qualitative and quantitative data/research
  • problem-solving and reasoning
  • application of learning to real world client issues  and counselling situations.

Career relevance

This degree is aimed to support the professional development of counsellors, building on existing competencies and acquiring new skills and practice capacities. As such the degree will support you to work in the counselling field, in the NHS, organisational settings (e.g. schools and EAPs), third-sector organisations and in private practice.

Outside of counselling, there are many types of career for which the knowledge and skills that you will develop as a counselling graduate may be useful such as:

  • education
  • the health professions
  • human resources
  • management.

Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience.

In addition to improving your career prospects, studying with the OU is an enriching experience that broadens your horizons, develops your knowledge, builds your confidence and enhances your life skills.

 

Accreditation

The intent is that this qualification will be approved by BACP as ‘SCoPEd compliant’, which would allow graduates to gain direct senior practitioner accreditation with BACP. Completing the qualification will also allow you to engage in further advanced training and practice to reach the SCoPEd column C competency level.

Exploring your options

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.

In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience):

  • professional counsellor
  • psychotherapist
  • social worker
  • advice worker
  • teacher
  • lecturer
  • careers adviser
  • police officer
  • probation worker
  • human resources officer.

Thinking of studying this course?

Registration will open shortly. If you would like to be kept updated, register your interest.


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