Person Centred Counselling Diploma of Higher Education - DipHE
Course Overview - Person Centred Counselling Diploma of Higher Education - DipHE
*This is a new course and we’re currently finalising the detailed information for this page. You can still see entry requirements and apply.*
Overview
Do you have a background in counselling or psychology, and a level 3 counselling qualification? If you would you like to gain the practical knowledge and interpersonal skills you need to pursue a career as a person-centred counsellor, this Person Centred Counselling DipHE is ideal.
Person-centred counselling is based on the belief that people have a natural tendency to grow,...
*This is a new course and we’re currently finalising the detailed information for this page. You can still see entry requirements and apply.*
Overview
Do you have a background in counselling or psychology, and a level 3 counselling qualification? If you would you like to gain the practical knowledge and interpersonal skills you need to pursue a career as a person-centred counsellor, this Person Centred Counselling DipHE is ideal.
Person-centred counselling is based on the belief that people have a natural tendency to grow, heal and reach their potential when they are offered empathy, acceptance and genuineness. Instead of directing or advising, person-centred counsellors create a safe, non-judgmental relationship that helps individuals understand themselves more deeply and make positive changes in their lives.
On this Person Centred Counselling DipHE, you'll explore personality theory, the counselling process, and the core therapeutic skills needed to build effective and ethical relationships with clients.
If you're in employment, this course can fit around your working week, with timetabled teaching taking place 1 day a week, workshops on 6 Saturdays throughout the course, and occasional events in the evenings and at weekends.
When you complete the course, you could top up your diploma to a Bachelor's degree. You could also work as a person-centred counsellor in areas such as education, the police service, the prison service and the voluntary sector.
Alternative courses\
This course shares the same 1st year modules as our DipHE Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), DipHE Gestalt Counselling and DipHE Humanistic Counselling.
It's simple to switch courses at the end of year 1 if you change your mind about which counselling specialism to study.
Location\
This course takes place at South Hampshire College Group - Southampton College Campus. While studying here, you can access the University's student support services and community including study support, the Students’ Union and our library's online resources.
What you'll experience\
On this course you'll:
* Learn from experienced, industry-trained staff who've worked in organisations or run their own private practices
* Study modules that give you a strong foundation for your studies and future career, covering topics including counselling skills, ethics, counselling theory and professional skills and development
* Focus on developing specialist person-centred counselling skills and knowledge in year 2
* Apply your knowledge and skills with at least 100 hours of supervised counselling on a placement in the community
* 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
* Learn research skills, which you can apply in your career and in degree-level study after 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 Southampton College 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
Careers and opportunities\
Public, private and charity sector settings you could work in after the course include:
* Education
* Alcohol and drug services
* Eating disorder services
* Mental health services
* GPs
* Police and prison services
You could also top-up your diploma to a Bachelor's degree on our BSc (Hons) Gestalt Counselling top-up course.
When you complete the course successfully, you can sit the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Certificate of Proficiency to become a registered member of the BACP.
Course Information
2 option s available
Some courses vary and have tailored teaching options, select a course option below.
Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
2 Years
Start Date
2027-09-07
Campus
South Hampshire College Group - Southampton College Campus
Application Details
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
B68-D81
Institution Code
P80
Points of Entry
Year 1, Year 2
Entry Requirements
A level
112 points from A levels in psychology, psychotherapy or sociology.
T Level
Not accepted
UCAS Tariff
Students with A levels in psychology, psychotherapy or sociology (112 UCAS points) will be considered on an individual basis subject to a successful interview and interpersonal skills role-play.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English at grade C/4 or above and GCSE mathematics at grade D/3 or above, or equivalent.
Scottish Advanced Higher
112 Tariff points from 3 Advanced Highers, in psychology, psychotherapy or sociology.
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
Must be in a relevant subject.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
24 points from the IB Diploma, with 444 at Higher Level, including psychology, psychotherapy or sociology.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Must be in a relevant subject.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
To include psychology, psychotherapy or sociology at Higher level.
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
Must be in a relevant subject.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
Cambridge Pre-U score of 48, including a Principal Subject in psychology, psychotherapy or sociology.
Search Undergraduate Courses at University of Portsmouth
Find more courses from University of Portsmouth with our undergraduate course search.
Upcoming Open Days at University of Portsmouth
5
Sep, 2026

University of Portsmouth5 Sep 2026
Undergraduate Open Day
11
Oct, 2026

University of Portsmouth11 Oct 2026
Undergraduate Open Day
15
Nov, 2026

University of Portsmouth15 Nov 2026
Undergraduate Open Day
Fees and funding
Unfortunately, we're unable to gather fee information for this course.
Order Free Prospectuses
The ideal way to read about detailed course information is with a university prospectus. Request a FREE prospectus and learn more about this course today.
























