Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Counselling at Keele is grounded in humanistic philosophy, with person-centred practice at the heart of the programme. Inspired by Carl Rogers’ belief in the self-therapeutic capacity and wisdom of clients, the course encourages a deep respect for everyone’s potential for growth and healing.

You’ll be supported to examine and question your own beliefs and assumptions and develop a personal, integrated theory of human development rooted in humanistic and phenomenological principles. To help you build strong therapeutic relationships, you’ll develop core counselling relational skills - not only to foster connection, but also to understand and navigate the barriers that can impact these relationships.

Module aims

The course includes intensive skills training and personal development work, creating a reflective and supportive environment where you can grow both professionally and personally.

Progression to the MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy

Upon successfully completing the course, you may progress directly to the MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy programme without needing to apply or attend an interview. You may also be eligible for a tuition fee discount such as the Keele alumni discount. To qualify for progression, you must: 

• Achieve at least 60% in one written assessment, and
• Receive a recommendation from your tutor. 

Knowledge and skills

We place a strong emphasis on the acquisition of counselling specific skills and academic learning. You will engage in a range of experiential learning activities including;

• Active, reflective listening, working in the ‘here and now’ and following the client’s agenda
• Development of key professional and personal qualities and attributes in line with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions
• Analysing and discussing person-centred counselling theory and applying this theory to counselling practice
• Self-knowledge and self-awareness
• Evaluating counselling skills practice
• Devising, developing and sustaining arguments, and/or solving problems, using ideas at the forefront of the counselling discipline
• Making informed decisions in complex situations, and sometimes with incomplete information
• Effective use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, research articles and/or original materials appropriate to the counselling discipline)
• Development of person-centred therapeutic attitudes
• Identifying and evaluating person-centred counselling practice

Entry requirements

This course is only available part-time and we do not provide Tier 4 sponsorship for part-time courses.

Please note, you will need to complete the Interview Questionnaire for Graduate Certificate in Counselling 2026 as part of the application process for this programme and upload it to the applicant portal.

Professional Qualifications and experience

While many of our courses consider relevant work experience or professional qualifications as alternatives to a degree, this programme is all about opening the door to those ready to explore the field. Our admissions team will simply ensure your interest aligns with the course goals, no lengthy application process, just a genuine desire to grow. This course is designed to be accessible to everyone, no previous academic qualifications are required. If you're curious about counselling and psychotherapy and eager to learn, you're welcome to apply. All we ask is that you complete a short questionnaire to share your interest and motivation. 

English language requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.

References

Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.

Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application. For international students, find out how we work with approved agents as part of our admissions process.

Module content

Core Counselling Competencies (30 credits)
This module introduces you to the theory and practice of person-centred counselling, with a focus on Carl Rogers’ belief in the client’s natural capacity for growth and healing. You’ll explore how person-centred principles can be applied in practice and begin to develop your own integrated approach to humanistic counselling. 
Through experiential learning and reflective exercises, you will: 

• Build the core skills needed to form and maintain effective therapeutic relationships
• Develop greater personal and professional self-awareness
• Understand the challenges and barriers that can affect the counselling process

This module lays the foundation for your future development as a reflective, relational practitioner. 

Personal Development and Professional Issues (30 credits)
This module supports your personal and professional development as a future counsellor, with a strong emphasis on identity, inclusion, and ethical practice. 
You’ll explore how your own values, beliefs, and lived experiences shape your approach to helping others. Through reflective exercises and group work, you’ll consider how aspects of identity influence therapeutic relationships and professional boundaries. 

Key areas of focus include: 

• Developing core counselling skills such as active listening, empathy, and emotional literacy 
• Building self-awareness and understanding how personal identity impacts practice 
• Working inclusively and ethically, guided by the BACP Ethical Framework (can this link?) 
• Engaging in group learning to foster collaboration, peer support, and shared reflection 
• Supporting people in distress with sensitivity and respect 

This module creates a safe and reflective space for you to grow, both as a practitioner and as a person, while preparing you to work ethically and inclusively in diverse settings. 

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Our programme is rooted in person-centred/humanistic principles and offers a dynamic mix of learning experiences, including: 

• Interactive lectures
• Experiential workshops that encourage self and peer exploration
• Skills practice groups
• Recorded observation days for formative feedback
• One-to-one tutorials with your academic mentor 

Assessment 

Both modules are assessed through coursework, with a pass mark of 40% at Level 6. Assessment methods may include: 

• Essays and presentations
• Recorded peer counselling sessions (formative and summative)
• Self-evaluation of counselling practice
• Personal learning journal
• Completion of 8 hours of personal therapy