University of Bolton's Psychology, Psychotherapy & Counselling offers additional certificates as part of the course

University of Bolton’s Psychology, Psychotherapy & Counselling course, ranked in the UK’s top five for teaching quality by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, has embedded opportunities into the curriculum to gain Counselling Skills certificates, accredited by ABC Awards. Founded in 1998, ABC Awards offers Ofqual and Qualification Wales recognised and regulated qualifications for a number of vocational sectors. In addition to studying the course that is accredited by the British Psychological Society, which helps students take the first step to become a Chartered Psychologist, now includes the opportunity to attain Level 2 and 3 vocational certificates in Counselling Skills at no extra cost. Choosing to gain these certificates independently can result in fees of over £1,000. The certificates allow students to gain practical knowledge and skills as well as partaking in work experience whilst studying. Currently, the University of Bolton is the only university in the North West offering this certification. Students who wish to pursue a counselling career can advance further onto a Level 4 course. However, those who undertake the Level 2 and 3 qualifications are not restricted to just a career in counselling and can progress into any area of psychology including: clinical psychology, providing high-intensity therapy and becoming a psychological wellbeing practitioner. Graduates have gone onto working in the NHS, police and prison services. On the benefits of the accreditation, Programme Leader and Reader in Psychology Dr. Julie Prescott comments, “the additional Level 2 and 3 qualifications will open up further opportunities for students in both psychology and counselling related fields. The certificates will provide students with transferrable professional people skills and invaluable knowledge.”