Here you will find our entry requirements for our courses and useful information to help your application.
Entry is at undergraduate level of competence for the Counselling Diploma and postgraduate for the MA/Diploma in Psychotherapy.
Applicants to both professional trainings need to have completed the BCPC Foundation Certificate or an equivalent course externally. Individuals with little or no prior training should apply directly to Foundation Certificate. External applicants who already have a Counselling Diploma, either from BCPC or an equivalent alternative Diploma, may join the MA/Diploma at Module 1, Year 2 of the Psychotherapy Diploma.
In order to assess equivalence to BCPC Foundation, please note that the following needs to be matched and clearly indicated on the application form:
In addition to matching the above requirements, external applicants to either Diploma are also required to write the essay below. Please submit one copy with your application (hard copy or electronic, to officemanager@bcpc.org.uk).
Essay topic
Discuss Carl Rogers’ qualities of empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence, showing your understanding of them and exploring the ease and/or difficulty you have in adopting each of them. Make reference to Rogers 1961 ‘On Becoming a Person’ and Mearns and Thorne 2007 ‘Person Centred Counselling in Action’. Word Count 2,000 – 2,500. Please indicate this at the end of your work.
The purpose of the essay is to show a lively and clear understanding of Rogers’ core conditions and an ability to relate theory and personal experience rather than just showing detailed knowledge of theory. Please aim for a good standard of presentation with all quotations appropriately referenced.
APEL procedures may be used in order to acknowledge a person’s relevant prior professional and life experience. A portfolio could include relevant Certificates or Diplomas from related Counselling or Psychotherapy courses, as well as evidence of work in caring professions, volunteer work and work which involves relationship skills.
For guidelines on applications and interviews please see the below document: