All applicants must meet the general entrance requirements and the standard offer for this course is 48 UCAS points as a minimum. For applicants who do not hold 48 UCAS points via A’Level, the University of Ulster Certificate in Counselling Studies is an acceptable alternative for progression route to this Foundation Degree.

The requirements may be met in the following ways:

1. Provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE English Language grades A-C/ 4-9 or equivalent. Essential Skills L2 Communication is acceptable) and Maths (grades A-C/4-9 or equivalent. Essential Skills L2 Use of Number is acceptable).

* GCSE English Language (grades A-C/4-9 or acceptable equivalent) and maths (grades A-C/4-9 or acceptable equivalent) may be used as part of the GCSE requirement.

1. Provide evidence of passes in five subjects, two of which must be at A level (grades A-E) and three at GCSE level* (grades A-C/4-9); or
2. Provide evidence of passes in four subjects, three of which must be at A level (grades A-E) and one at GCSE level* (grades A- C/4-9); or
3. Provide evidence of an approved qualification at an equivalent level such as a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma or Access to Higher Education qualification or equivalent**; or
4. Provide evidence, for a process of formal accreditation of learning you have gained through work or other experience (APEL).

** Examples of L3 qualifications include A’Levels, for information on common alternative Level 3 qualifications, please refer to the Ulster University Entrance Requirements and Equivalence of Qualifications table  available at https://www.ulster.ac.uk/study/entrance-requirements

Where an applicant does not hold the formal academic requirements for entry to the programme, but can demonstrate relevant experiential learning across a range of industries, they may apply for admission through the College Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) process. In such cases, contact the Course Director for the programme who will advise further.

In addition to the academic requirements, applicants must demonstrate personal qualities and attributes required for counselling practice. Completion of the Level 4 Ulster University Certificate in Counselling Studies course, or an equivalent substantial counselling qualification, is recommended and desirable. Preference will be given at application stage for those candidates who have successfully completed the Level 4 Certificate in Counselling programme

Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to check each University’s admission and progression requirements and the impact of using student finance before enrolling on a course at the College.

International Entry Requirements: Any applicant whose first language is not English or who has not achieved a grade C in a recent GCSE in English Language should demonstrate their competence in written and spoken English at IELTS – Academic 6.0, with minimum 5.5 in all four elements of the test. Trinity ISE - Pass at Level 3 (with a Pass in each component) also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

All modules are assessed via course work in keeping with Ulster University regulations. These include case study preparation, essays, audio-recorded skills work with peers or clients, reflective journaling, presentations, viva and the development of a portfolio of work. In addition to academic work, reports from clinical supervisor and placement mentors are intrinsic to the successful completion of the course. Formative feedback is offered to support student development.

A minimum of 40% is required for successful completion of all modules. More information available on modules and assessment at Foundation Degree Handbook 2022

Graduates of the Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Integrative Counselling Practice (Level 5) may progress to level 6 BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Counselling at Ulster University and in turn further study at Master’s and PhD level.

However, graduates may also begin working as counsellors upon qualification and many have progressed to part-time employment in voluntary, charitable and private sector agencies. Since the FdSc programme is widely applicable to a range of occupations, other graduates have used the course to progress to study in Allied Healthcare professions, Human Resources, law etc. at Ulster University and elsewhere. Please Contact the Course Director to discuss, or view Ulster prospectus online at https://www.ulster.ac.uk/prospectus

Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to check each University’s admission and progression requirements before enrolling on a course at the College.

The application process involves submission of an application and completion of interview to establish suitability. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide certificated evidence of entry qualifications with their college application in order to be considered for interview. Successful completion of all components of the admission procedures contribute to the overall admission decision. Closing date for applications 25th April 2025. Applications will be sifted in May and interviews will take place on 10th and 12th June 2025. Where the number of places is oversubscribed, additional criteria will be used and candidates will be called for interview by date order of application. Please note that submission of an application does not guarantee an interview, as places may fill before all applications are reviewed. Early application is therefore advisable.

As this course may require work with vulnerable adults ACCESS NI checks are required for all successful applicants.

All full-time & part-time courses starting in September 2025 are open for applications.  Please click on the Apply on our College website to begin your application.

If you require assistance, or have any questions throughout the online application process, you can contact a member of the College Admissions Team by emailing admissions@swc.ac.uk

Successful candidates will also be required to enrol and register online, with the University of Ulster, on commencement of the programme

**The fees quoted are payable for each year.

**In addition to course fees, students will be required to pay for personal therapy fees, supervision fees and may incur travel costs to placement over the course of the programme.

2025/26 fees:

£285 per 20-credit module and £570 per 40-credit module.

All tutors are qualified and experienced counsellors. This underpins the authenticity of teaching and learning activities as students engage with practitioners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the counselling role. The following full time lecturers deliver the FdSc course at South West College Omagh Campus and this is also complemented by part time lecturing staff:

Catherine Donaghy catherine.donaghy@swc.ac.uk

Nuala Mc Nulty nualateresa.mcnulty@swc.ac.uk

Clinical supervisors are appointed by students from an approved list of appropriately qualified and experienced counselling practitioners – the Ulster University Register of Counselling-Training Supervision Providers – which is renewed annually.

Placement mentors are appointed by placement agencies and work closely with the college and supervisory teams

For 2025/26 fees, please refer to our Fees and Charges Policy on the SWC website.

In addition to course and registration fees, all counselling courses incur an additional cost in relation to practice and personal therapy requirements. The following are examples of the associated costs.

• Personal therapy (approximately £40 per hour) for a minimum of thirty (30) sessions
• Clinical Supervision typically £35 - £40 per hour - student rates may be available). Students are required to have supervision every fortnight for a minimum of 45 mins
• Student membership of a professional body BACP (normally £82 per year)
• Professional Indemnity Insurance £60-80
• Application for Access NI certificate - £35

Year 1 attend college on a Tuesday.

Year 2 and 3 attend college on a Thursday.

This programme will be reviewed by Ulster University in 2024/25. The review process involves updating course information, such as the programme title, curriculum content, module titles and teaching and assessment strategies. The college will endeavour to make available the most update information for this course once the review is complete.