University of Portsmouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Do you have a background in counselling or psychology? Would you like to learn how to help people challenge negative thinking so they can approach situations more positively? Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps people focus on current issues so they can find practical solutions that help them feel better now. A cognitive behavioural therapist helps people change how they feel and act so they can deal with issues such as anxiety, stress, depression and phobias. On this Cognitive Behavioural Therapy DipHE, you'll learn the practical knowledge and interpersonal skills you need to pursue a career as a cognitive behavioural therapist. In year 1, you'll develop foundational counselling skills and explore all the counselling approaches available to practitioners, including gestalt and humanistic counselling. In your second year, you'll focus on developing the practical skills you need as a cognitive behavioural therapist. This includes putting what you learn into practice by conducting 100 hours of supervised therapy. You'll also develop skills you need to work with different types of clients and learn about mental health issues. After the course, you could top up your diploma to a Bachelor's degree. You could also work as a cognitive behavioural therapist in areas such as education, the police service, the prison service and the voluntary sector. Alternative courses You can specialise in other types of counselling and therapy on our BSc (Hons) Humanistic Counselling and BSc (Hons) Gestalt Counselling top-up degrees. What you'll experience On this course you'll:
- Learn advanced cognitive behavioural therapy skills, building on the knowledge you developed on your DipHE
- Develop advanced research skills on a research project that aligns with your interests and career ambitions
- Apply your knowledge and skills with at least 100 hours of supervised counselling on a placement in the community
- Learn from experienced, industry-trained staff who've worked in organisations or run their own private practices
- Build a foundation to help work towards a further professional accreditation with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) following completion of the course
- Develop transferable skills you can apply in all aspects of your life and career in areas such as problem solving, communication, group working, planning, effective feedback and IT
- Study at South Hampshire College Group - Eastleigh Campus with access to University of Portsmouth support and services
- Apply for membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and get access to member resources including journal subscriptions, free courses and job boards
- Education
- Alcohol and drug services
- Eating disorder services
- Mental health services
- GPs
- Police and prison services
Modules
Core modules: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Advanced Skills – 40 credits Professional Practice Placement – 40 credits Research Project – 40 credits There are no optional modules on this course.
Assessment method
On this counselling diploma, you'll be assessed through:
- Essays
- Live skills assessments (role play scenarios)
- Individual and group presentations
- Portfolios of evidence
- Case studies
- Personal learning journals
- Professional requirements (a 'Fitness to Practice' assessment)
- Supervised work-based learning
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
This course is available to EU and International applicants who do not require a Student Route Visa
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
A level - Not accepted
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted
Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted
Scottish Higher - Not accepted
GCSE/National 4/National 5
T Level - Not accepted
DipHE Level 5 qualification in Counselling from the following pathways with proof of completing 80 hours work placement in a counselling environment : Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Gestalt Counselling Humanistic Counselling
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
All applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before starting the course
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5. |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 79 | 79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components |
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £9250 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £19200 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship
Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation.
For more information about fees, go to port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP