The Way Forward Centre CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies CST-L3
Qualification Number: 600/5104/8
CST-L3 is accredited by the Office of the Qualifications & Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) into the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The CPCAB are dedicated to providing the best counselling and life coaching qualifications. By continually reviewing the latest research into effective counselling the CPCAB guarantee that their qualifications are up-to-date and relevant.
We offer an Online Level 3 and a Face to Face Level 3 ~ Make sure you apply for the version which suits you best.
Please note: The Online Course is a ‘taught course’ you will do the same work, engage with a group and tutor, and are set the same course of work to complete as those on the face to face option.
If you are learning online you will need to make sure you are in a confidential environment and fully able to focus for the duration of class time. There are regular breaks scheduled to help you manage the training days.
Available Dates Below: Applications Open September 2024
The next available intake for Level 3 will be for February 2025, dates will be released soon along with the fees for academic year 2024 - 2025 (last updated 24/03/2024)
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies FACE TO FACE DELIVERY:
Course start date: Tues February 11th 2025 until Tues 15th July 2025
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies ONLINE DELIVERY:
Course start date: Weds February 12th 2025 until Weds 16th July 2025
Classes run from 9.30am until 4.30pm one day per week for 19 weeks
There are no classes during the school holidays, the Way Forward Centre follows the Swansea County Council school holiday timetable.
FEES: Academic year Sept 2024 - July 2025
Please note: Fees are the same whether you have chosen an Online or Face to Face option
Course Fee: £1164 (inclusive of VAT)
In addition you will be required to pay a CPCAB Registration fee: £189 (Registration, External Assessment & Certification)
Total fee: £1353 (Inclusive of CPCAB fee & VAT)
Fees can be paid over a schedule of monthly payments.
Deposit payment £100 to secure your place on the course, following acceptance of your application
If you would like to apply for this course you will find the application form here:
This qualification is intended for candidates who have already acquired a recognised qualification in counselling skills and want to:
Take the next step in training to become a counsellor
Learn more about counselling theory, ethics and mental health
Be prepared for work as a professional counsellor in an agency setting.
This course will not qualify you to become a practicing counsellor but it may help you decide whether you wish to continue with your training and take the next academic step (Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling).
This award may lead to employment or increase employability for those whose role is to support others in e.g. health and social care work, teaching and learning, advocacy and mediation, support and project work, other helping roles. For those already in employment, this award may improve opportunities for advancement.
It is really important that you attend for the full duration of the course as the CPCAB stipulate a total of 90 guided learning hours are required in order to achieve this qualification, these are the hours you are timetabled to attend the centre. You will have a number of course requirements to complete during this time and maintaining your attendance will be vital in supporting you to achieve your aims. You will be required to spend additional time outside of the class environment studying towards this qualification. The total qualification hours are expected to be at least 196 hours.
Learning Aims
To achieve the qualification, candidates must be internally assessed as Proficient in all 7 learning outcomes of the qualification and must be externally assessed (by CPCAB) as Proficient. The 7 learning aims are listed below. Over the duration of the course you will collate a portfolio which will evidence how you meet these learning outcomes.
1. Prepare to work within an ethical framework for counselling
2. Understand the counselling relationship
3. Understand difference and diversity issues to develop empathic understanding
4. Work within a user-centred approach to counselling
5. Use counselling theory to develop selfawareness in counselling practice
6. Understand theories of counselling and mental health
7. Use feedback, reflection and supervision to support counselling studies
To understand more about the contents of this course please download the following powerpoint presentation by clicking on the button below:
The content of this course may be challenging on an emotional and academic level. This is true of all counselling training which is designed to build a high level of personal self awarenes in the counsellor, please read the candidate requirements below to understand how this applies to the Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies.
Candidate Entry Requirements
You must have undertaken counselling skills training, e.g. CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or equivalent units/qualifications of at least 75 Guided Learning Hours. In addition you would be expected to meet the following:
✓ Ability to translate intra-personal experience into language
✓ Able to benefit from self-development
✓ Emotional stability
✓ Evidence personal insight
✓ Ability to form a counselling relationship
✓ Awareness of difference and diversity
✓ Able to cope with course content
✓ Identify reasons for training beyond just personal development
✓ Be motivated towards developing as a counselling practitioner
✓ Provide references
We very much hope you will choose to embark on your counselling training with us.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Progression Opportunities
Candidates who achieve CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (CSK-L2) and CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies(CST-L3) – or their Required Prior Learning (RPL) equivalent – may progress to CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (TC-L4). Tutors can allow progression to the first year of TC-L4 for candidates who have not yet completed their assessment for CST-L3. However, such candidates must successfully complete the qualification prior to entry into the 2nd year of TC-L4
The level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling takes 2 years to complete. As long as candidates successfully complete all course requirements then they will qualify as a counsellor after a total of 3 years of study. Some learners continue by studying a further level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling.
It is also possible to ‘top up’ your achievement to a foundation degree through the Open University. More information about this process can be obtained from the CPCAB website: http://www.cpcab.co.uk/qualifications/fd-counselling
Information about each level of training and the course requirements can also be found on the CPCAB website: http://www.cpcab.co.uk/
If you have any specific questions about this course please feel free to contact us by completing the following form:
