Counselling - Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Ready to take your counselling journey to the next level? If you’ve already completed Levels 2 and 3, this is the natural next step to deepen your skills and grow into the best practitioner you can be.
This is a 2-year course delivered in the classroom plus you will need to complete a minimum of 100 hours of formally contacted counselling with at least 5 different clients in an agency setting. You will be assed using a variety of methods, self-review to show development, weekly learning review, assignments, presentations, and an externally marked question paper.
- Course Information
- Validated By
- CPCAB
- Learner Aim Reference
- 5008088X
- Price
- £4,670
- Attendance Pattern
- Daytime
- Course Level
- Level 4
- Study Mode
- In person
- Course Location
- Leyland Campus
- Age Group
- Adults (19+)
- Course Duration
- Starts September 2026 for 2 years
- Overview
*Payment Options
- Pay in full
- 4 x consecutive payments (4 x £1,167.50)
- Sponsor
- Advanced Learner Loan
Additional costs of the course to be funded by the student:
- DBS
- Residential trip
- Personal counselling hours
- Clinical supervision placement hours
- BACP membership
Sessions Available
Start End Day Session Time Venue 9/9/2026 Jun 2028 Wed Day 09:15 – 16:15 Langdale Road, Leyland – FULL 10/9/2026 Jun 2028 Thurs Day 13:30 – 20:30 Langdale Road, Leyland Delivery method
Fully delivered in the classroom over 2 academic years.
Important Information
- Applicants are required to have an enhanced DBS (£73.50 (Correct at 06/05/26) – Learners who are not registered with the ‘update service’ can complete this through the college.
- Learners will need to pay for and attend a mandatory 2-day residential trip including an overnight stay; this fee is not included in the course fees (approx. £250 – self-funded).
- Learners are required to purchase a BACP membership (self-funded).
- Students are required to undertake a minimum of 10 hours of personal counselling (self-funded).
- Students are required to attend clinical supervision for placement hours (self-funded).
- Access to a computer is essential for successful completion of the course.
- Learners must be able to use basic Microsoft packages.
- Applicants need to be able to demonstrate their ability to handle the level of academic work.
- Learners should be respectful of everyone regardless of their age, race, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.
- The course requires the learner to participate in personal disclosure and associated personal development with their peers.
- Learners need to be in a sound state of mind to study this qualification and not involved in substance or alcohol abuse.
- Learners will need to complete a minimum of 100 hours of formally contacted counselling with at least 5 different clients in an agency setting. This is in addition to your class sessions.
- Entry Requirements
- Students must be aged 19+
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
AND - Students must have done their qualifications face-to-face.
- Candidates are required to have completed tutor observed Person-Centred skills sessions.
- Completed weekly skills practice with a tutor present
Applicants cannot enrol or progress to IAG if they have done their qualifications online (the only exception of this would be if they have studied online (e.g., during COVID) but they would still need to have completed a course which provides tutor feedback.
L2 & L3 must have been studied for a minimum of 90 GLH per programme.
Pre IAG requirements:
- 1000-word statement on why they have chosen to do the course
- Two academic references
The above information MUST have been received prior to IAG.
- How will I be assessed?
A range of formative and summative assessments creating an e-portfolio: including assignments, presentations, and weekly reflective learning reviews.
- Progression Pathway
- Counsellor
- Parole officer
- Social worker
- Psychologist
- Programme Specification
Course units:
- Working ethically, safely and professionally as a counsellor
- Working within a counselling relationship
- Working with client diversity in counselling work
- Working with a user-centred approach to counselling
- Working with self-awareness in the counselling process
- Working within a coherent framework of counselling theory and skills
- Working self-reflectively as a counsellor
Students will learn:
- Working ethically, safely, and professionally as a counsellor.
- Working within a counselling relationship.
- Working with client diversity in counselling work.
- Working within a user-centred approach to counselling.
- Working with self-awareness in the counselling process.
- Working within a coherent framework of counselling theory and skills.
- Working self-reflectively as a counsellor.
- Safeguarding
Runshaw College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
- Health, Safety & Well-Being
Runshaw College is committed to ensuring you have a happy, successful and productive time with us – ensuring your health, safety and well-being is at the heart of everything we do.
We proactively encourage the disclosure of any disabilities or issues which may impact on your learning experience – this can be at interview, enrolment, or at any other stage during your studies. Any information you disclose will be held in strict confidence and will be used to assess your in-class support needs and inform a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) to ensure your safe evacuation from the College in the event of an emergency. If you would like further information, please contact Course Enquiries on 01772 642040.
- National Careers Service
For guidance about what careers subjects can lead on to please follow this link to the National Careers Service.
- DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Check
You must be prepared to comply with the vetting procedures for those working with vulnerable adults, children and young people as required by current legislation (ie undertake an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check).
You will need to complete an enhanced DBS for this course and in doing so will need to provide 3 ID documents. These can include; Birth Certificate, Driving License, Passport, Bank statement or a letter.
Please note that if the course is fully funded for you, you may get your DBS for free, if not, there may be an additional fee for this to be processed.
Please contact our Adult Admissions Team to find out more on how to obtain an Enhanced DBS check through the college.
To find out more information on DBS checks, please visit https://www.personnelchecks.co.uk/enhanced-dbs-checks
- FAQs - Level 4 Diploma in Counselling
What counts as counselling skills training hours?
This is based off the guided learning hours (GLH) that has previously been studied. This would mean face-to-face tutor contact time and the skills practice that is included in prior qualifications.
Is Runshaw College BACP accredited?
Runshaw College is not accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
However, our counselling programmes are delivered in line with the BACP Ethical Framework, and we require students to join BACP as student members during their training.Does this affect my ability to become a BACP‑accredited counsellor?
No. BACP does not accredit Level 4 diploma courses; instead, they accredit individual counsellors once they have completed their training and gained the required post‑qualification experience.
To apply for individual BACP accreditation, counsellors must have:
- Successfully completed a recognised counselling qualification (such as the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma)
- at least 450 hours of supervised counselling practice
- Regular supervision
- Evidence of reflective practice and continuing professional development (CPD)
I have a degree, can I come on to the Level 4 without completing Level 2 and 3?
The CPCAB requires learners to complete the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills and the Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies before progressing to the Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. Each qualification must include a minimum of 90 guided learning hours and be delivered as a tutor‑taught course. Progression to Levels 3 and 4 is dependent on the successful completion of the previous level. While your existing experience and knowledge will certainly support your development, Levels 2 and 3 provide the essential foundation needed for higher‑level counselling training. These requirements are set not only by CPCAB but also by the professional counselling bodies we work alongside.
Do classes take place throughout the year?
Runshaw College observes term times in line with local education. A full college calendar will be provided upon enrolment.
I am planning a holiday which means I will miss some of the course; can I still enrol?
It is strongly recommended that applicants with planned holidays or anticipated time away from the course consider applying for the next available intake. Any absence from scheduled classes can significantly affect your learning, development, and overall progress. To ensure full participation and the best possible outcome, students with known holiday commitments that may disrupt their studies are advised to defer their start date to the next intake.
Minimum attendance expectations at Runshaw College are 90%
Do I need to attend every lesson?
Yes, you must attend all lessons without fail (unless due to exceptional circumstances) as any absences will have a significant impact on your learning and achievement on the course.
Do I need to attend every session in person?
Yes, the course is experiential in nature, meaning that your knowledge will come from practicing and reflecting on what you are learning. Active participation is essential, and sessions consist of skills practice, group discussions and activities to support learning.
Do I have to do any homework?
Students must dedicate an equal amount of time to independent study as they do to in-class sessions.
Will I need a computer?
Yes, access to, and familiarity with using a computer and basic knowledge of Microsoft packages to complete your work is essential. The college also has a computer suite in the library for use by all students. During this course you will create an e-portfolio to produce and organise your work. A full induction is provided at the start of your course.
Who is this course not suitable for?
The course is not recommended for individuals currently experiencing:
- Severe emotional difficulty
- Psychological instability
What is the Person‑Centred Approach, and is this course Person‑Centred?
Yes- this course is Person‑Centred. The CPCAB Level 4 Diploma is grounded in the Person‑Centred model, meaning the counselling relationship is central to all learning and practice. The approach emphasises empathy, genuine presence, and non‑judgement, and The Person‑Centred Approach remains the foundation of the training.
What is an Advanced Learner Loan?
An Advanced Learner Loan is a government loan which helps with the cost of further education courses.
