Training FAQs

I want to become a counsellor, where do I start?

If you’ve never done any training, or had any experience of counselling or listening skills, then we would recommend starting with one of our introductory courses, such as A Way of Being, or Being There. These will introduce you to the key concepts and skills involved in listening and counselling.

Our Level 4 Advanced Certificate in Counselling Skills is then the first step to take towards qualifying as a counsellor. This one-year course will give you a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge, counselling skills and personal development which will prepare you to continue your studies onto qualification.

After you have completed our Level 4 Advanced Certificate, or if you have completed a Level 4 or equivalent qualification in counselling elsewhere, then you can apply for our Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Counselling. This two-year course is accredited by both the BACP and NCPS, and successful completion will qualify you to work as a counsellor in a range of settings, including statutory, voluntary and private practice.

Sounds great, how do I apply?

You can apply online for any of our courses; you will find the link to the application form on the course’s page on our website. Alternatively, you can email our Training Coordinator (training@network.org.uk) to request a Word Doc version of the application form, and return it by email before the closing date.

Am I eligible?

Students must be aged 19 or above for all courses.

For the Advanced Certificate course, some prior training in counselling/listening skills at an introductory level, such as Network’s ‘Being There’ or ‘A Way of Being’ courses (or equivalent), is helpful but not required.

You will be expected to show evidence of: 

• Your ability to meet the academic demands of the course, through undertaking and sustaining a prior course of study at an appropriate level.  If you do not have any formal academic or vocational qualifications at ‘A’ level or equivalent, you may be required to submit a short piece of written work as part of your application.
• A basic level of self-awareness and a commitment to your personal growth and development.
• Previous or current experience of being in counselling and/or the willingness to undertake counselling for yourself during the course should the need arise.

For the Advanced Diploma course you will be expected to have completed a level 4 counselling course (such as the Network Advanced Certificate in Counselling Skills course or equivalent) within the last 5 years. In some cases, a level 3 Certificate course will be acceptable, but it must have included the following core elements: 

• A strong focus on person-centred counselling theory and practice.
• Practical counselling skills training (including triad work and some tutor observation of skills work).
• Some focus on personal development work (e.g. through large or small groupwork, engagement in self-reflective exercises/journalling).

You will also need to demonstrate your ability to meet the following key learning outcomes:

• Adequate knowledge and understanding of person-centred counselling theory, and the ability to apply this to counselling practice. 
• A sound understanding of the counselling process.  
• The capacity to form a therapeutic relationship. 
• The competent use of a reasonable range of foundational counselling skills. 
• An adequate degree of personal soundness – i.e. an adequate self-reflective capacity (awareness and understanding of self); a high degree of personal integrity; the absence of major intra- or inter-personal difficulties which might inhibit the ability to work safely and competently with clients. 
• Awareness of personal and inter-personal strengths and areas for further development.  

N.B.  If your course has not included each of the three core elements outlined above, it may still be possible for you to make an application if you can evidence your ability to meet all of the above learning outcomes.  

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate:

• The ability to meet the academic demands of undertaking and sustaining a course of study at Higher Education level 5. 
• Previous or current experience of being in counselling and the willingness to undertake personal counselling during the Advanced Diploma course.

Do I need to do an introductory course first?

An Introductory course is recommended before applying to the Level 4 Advanced Certificate, but not essential.

Do I need to do a Certificate course in Counselling before the Advanced Diploma?

Yes. Ideally this will be a counselling course at level 4, but if your training is comparable, we may consider a level 3 qualification. Whilst many courses may appear similar to counselling, we are unable to accept any other prior learning, including in related fields such as psychology. Any previous training/qualifications must have included a significant amount of training in counselling theory and skills practice, and ideally personal development.

How long is the training?

The Advanced Certificate is a one-year, part-time course (one day a week), which runs between September and July each academic year.

The Advanced Diploma course is a two-year, part-time course (one day a week), which runs between September and July each academic year.

On completion of the two taught years, you have up to one further year to complete any outstanding assignments and placement hours.  Most students can expect to go into a third year.

Do I need to have had any counselling myself before I apply?

It is helpful if you have previous or current experience of being counselled, when applying for the Advanced Diploma course. You will also be required to undertake at least 20 hours of personal counselling during the Advanced Diploma course.

Do I need to be a Christian or have a faith background to do your courses?

No, our teaching is based on the belief that all individuals are a complex unity of body, mind, soul and spirit, so some level of openness to human spirituality would enable you to make the most of this approach.  Network’s background and origins are within the Christian faith, but we are committed to spiritual and cultural diversity and to working with people of all faith traditions and none.

Will the Advanced Diploma course qualify me to practise as a counsellor?

Yes. Once you have completed the Advanced Diploma in Counselling, you will be equipped to work in a wide range of settings – including private practice, or employment with an agency or other organisation, or with the NHS. The course is accredited by both the BACP and the NCPS, so upon completion you are eligible to register with either organisation.

Will I work with real clients during the course?

Yes, the Level 5 Advanced Diploma in Counselling Skills involves completing a 150-hour counselling placement as an integral part of the course. Network is able to offer a placement to students at our in-house counselling agency, taking the stress and effort out of needing to find a placement.

During the Level 4 Advanced Certificate in Counselling Skills students will undertake a listening placement of at least 20 hours. This is not a counselling placement but instead may be undertaken in areas such as pastoral care, befriending, peer support, or similar.

When do the courses start?

Both the Advanced Certificate and Advanced Diploma courses start in September each year and run more or less in line with the local school terms, ending in July the following year. 

How much does it cost?

In 2027, the fee for the Advanced Certificate course is £3,850. 

The fee for the Advanced Diploma course 2027 – 29 is £4,750 per year.

Please see the 2027 prospectus for more details.

Is there help available with costs?

Network’s courses are not currently eligible for any government funding schemes, loans, grants etc. However, there are a number of Trusts which will support individuals who are not eligible for any form of statutory funding.  You can find standard lists of these in most public libraries.  Useful publications include the Guide to Educational Grants, the Charities Digest and the Directory of Grant Making Trusts.

There are some Christian Trust Funds which support Network students.  Please see our prospectus for more details.

Are there any hidden costs?

In addition to the course fee, you will need to be prepared to pay for personal counselling, supervision, DBS fees and buying books (there is a library on site for use by Advanced Certificate and Advanced Diploma students). Please see our prospectus for more details. 

Do you offer any online courses?

Not at the higher level, but we occasionally deliver an introductory course remotely, online.

What if I need to make a complaint?

Please click here to find out more about our complaints procedure.