Counselling Graduate Certificate

No prior qualifications needed - just a passion for helping others. Are you considering a career in counselling or psychotherapy? Our part-time Graduate Certificate in Counselling offers a unique opportunity to begin your training - even if you’ve never studied counselling or attended university before. This programme is ideal for anyone with lived experience and a desire to support others and to decide if counselling might be a career for you or enhance a job that you already do. This course blends counselling theory, practical skills, personal development, and a strong emphasis on difference and diversity — helping you understand and work effectively with people from all walks of life. <br/><br/><strong>Why choose this course?</strong> <br/>• No previous qualifications required, just a genuine interest in helping others<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Progression to professional training. Successful completion meets the academic criteria for our BACP-accredited MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Keele alumni discount. Students progressing to the MSc may be eligible for a tuition fee reduction<br/><br/><br/><br/>• Supportive learning environment with small cohorts, experienced tutors, and a reflective, inclusive approach to training<br/><br/><br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>The course includes intensive skills training and personal development work, creating a reflective and supportive environment where you can grow both professionally and personally.<br/><br/><strong>About Keele</strong><br/><br/>Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.<br/><br/>We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.<br/><br/>Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.