St Mary's University Celebrates First Cohort Completing Integrated Counselling Qualification
Pioneering BSc Psychology with Counselling degree sees students achieve Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies.
By Priya Shah
••3 min read
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Generic image of a university textbook with a bookmark, pages showing diagrams related to psychology and counselling.
St Mary's University has celebrated the successful completion of an integrated counselling qualification by its first cohort of students on the BSc Psychology with Counselling degree, marking a significant milestone in the university's partnership with the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB).
The students have received their Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies after completing an intensive 96-hour module delivered over 12 weeks during the first year of their degree. St Mary's University is the first institution in the UK to embed this specific CPCAB qualification, effectively merging academic psychology with professional counselling training and equipping students with practical skills alongside their studies.
Developed in collaboration with CPCAB, the module integrates the requirements for both Level 2 and Level 3 counselling training. This allows students to attain the nationally recognised Level 3 Certificate without needing to complete separate courses for each level. The qualification focuses on developing essential skills such as active listening, empathy, communication, self-awareness, and ethical practice, thereby complementing their academic psychology knowledge and providing a solid foundation for future professional development.
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"We wanted to bring psychology and counselling training closer together, giving students the opportunity to develop practical and reflective skills alongside their academic knowledge. Seeing our first cohort achieve this qualification is a wonderful milestone and gives them a valuable foundation for further learning and professional development."
This integrated approach offers students diverse career pathways. In addition to their British Psychological Society (BPS)-accredited psychology degree, which prepares them for further training in areas like clinical and counselling psychology, students can now directly progress into professional counselling training.
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"When Silvia and I developed the programme, we wanted to open up different professional pathways for our students, whether through further training in psychology or progression directly to professional counselling training. Seeing our first cohort receive their certificates was incredibly rewarding, particularly knowing how much they have grown in confidence over the past year. We are very proud of what they have achieved."
Representatives from CPCAB visited St Mary's University to commend the cohort's achievement, describing the students as pioneers for completing the qualification through this innovative integrated method. Natalie Lister, CPCAB Counselling Qualifications Professional, expressed her pleasure in working with the university and its undergraduate students, noting their pioneering status as the first in the UK to receive the CPCAB CST-L3 Level 3 Certificate embedded within the Psychology with Counselling degree programme. She highlighted the dedication of the faculty staff and the students' inspiring development and commitment.
The successful conclusion of the first year signifies a crucial milestone for the programme and its partnership with CPCAB, demonstrating the value of integrating professional training into undergraduate studies to enhance students' academic growth and career aspirations. Further information about the BSc Psychology with Counselling at St Mary's University is available via their website.
Enquiries can be directed to the Press team at 020 8240 8262.
