Post-Qualifying Undergraduate Course
BA (HONS) COUNSELLING
TOP-UP
For those already practising, gain a Level 6 degree in 1–2 years with a streamlined route to ACC accreditation (SCoPEd Column B) as a graduate outcome.
- Train alongside your existing practice
- Flexible study — 100% online or in Farnham, either full-time or part-time
- Gain a Level 6 Bachelor's degree
- Streamlined route to ACC Accreditation — at a SCoPEd Column B standard as a graduate outcome
- Grounded in a Christian worldview — integrate faith without limiting practice to Christian contexts
| Mode & Location | Length of Study | Level | Credits | Entry Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online or BlendedBlended learning combines in-person teaching at Waverley Abbey, Farnham with some live online sessions, in line with BACP standards. (Farnham) | 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time | 6 | 120 | DipHE Counselling or equivalent Level 4 counselling qualification with experience |
| Hours and Delivery | Term Times | Minimum Time NeededMinimum time needed is inclusive of lectures, coursework, therapy, placement, and supervision. This is a rough guideline. Students may require more time, depending on their personal pace. |
|---|---|---|
| 187 tutor contact hours 28 teaching days | September – December January – Easter Easter – May | 8 days a month |
Key Features
Streamlined route to ACC Accreditation
This programme includes a streamlined route to ACC accreditation (at a SCoPEd Column B standard) as a graduate outcome, removing the need for a second, substantial stage of assessment after graduation.
Integrate faith and practice
Train using the Waverley Integrative Framework and develop a thoughtful and responsible approach to integrating Christian faith within a counselling context, allowing you to work safely with institutions and clients of all faiths or none at all.
Gain a Level 6 degree in 1–2 years
A Bachelor’s Counselling degree offers deeper academic and professional competence, longer-term trust, and greater flexibility for a future career — including postgraduate study, specialist training, and supervisory roles.
We’re currently the only provider in the UK offering a streamlined route to ACC accreditation as a graduate outcome. It’s really special. Most counsellors have to complete thousands of words of written work to gain accreditation—articles, case studies, CPD reports. Our students don’t have to do any of that alone. It’s huge.
Catherine Palmer, Head of Faculty
Course Description
Course Overview
This programme provides Level 6 training for those who already practice counselling, leading to a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Counselling. It also provides a streamlined route to accreditation with ACC (at SCoPEd Column B) as a graduate outcome.
Course Content
This programme supports practising counsellors in articulating and refining their own therapeutic approach, with a strong focus on integrating spirituality ethically and thoughtfully within clinical practice. You will explore how psychological and spiritual frameworks can sit together in ways that honour both client wellbeing and professional standards.
The programme strengthens and extends therapeutic skills, preparing you to work more effectively within today’s complex mental health landscape. Through advanced practice and deeper clinical reflection, you will grow your capacity to work with clients in a more integrated and intentional way.
This supports progression toward recognised professional accreditation at SCoPEd Column B, including a streamlined route to ACC Accreditation as a graduate outcome.
Assessment
Students are required to complete written assignments including reflective essays, case study, self-reflection of spiritual diversity experience, a comparative essay, a questionnaire, and a 10,000-word critical literature review. Students are also required to give a presentation.
Path to accreditation
Why Accreditation Matters
This programme is designed to support progression toward the emerging SCoPEd Column B standard—a key benchmark for professional counsellors.
Accreditation is a recognised mark of professional credibility, supporting both access to employed roles (including the NHS, Employee Assistance Programmes, and the charity and education sectors) and building trust with clients in private practice.
Streamlined route to ACC Accreditation
This programme offers a streamlined route to ACC Accreditation at SCoPEd Column B as a graduate outcome. Graduates can apply after completing 450 clinical hours and two years of post-qualification practice, with no additional coursework, case studies, or accreditation assessments required. This removes what is often a second, substantial stage of assessment after qualification. At present, Waverley Abbey College is the only training provider in the UK offering this as a graduate outcome.
Modules & Dates
Course Modules and Outcomes
Here is what you will study and your major outcomes:
| Timeline | Modules |
|---|---|
| Year 180 credits170 tutor contact hours | To compliment previous learning, this module is designed to deepen the student's understanding of the integrative approach and to assess clinical interventions in terms of which are most appropriate when working in a variety of clinical situations. This module will further consider integration in practice by assisting students to critically review the body of knowledge of three differing approaches in more depth, namely: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Family and Systemic Psychotherapy (FSP) and Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS). |
| Module description to follow. | |
| Counsellors working within faith communities are inevitably faced with the interface between Christian spirituality and counselling. This module provides students with the further opportunity to reflect on the relationship between spirituality, counselling and spiritual direction and to increase understanding and deepen awareness of the tensions that inevitably arise within church, pastoral and counselling settings. The module will also further explore counselling and spirituality which is non-faith specific, and consider relational dynamics in transpersonal counselling. | |
| Year 240 credits17 tutor contact hours | Module description to follow. |
BA (Hons) in Counselling Top-Up award Level 6 · 120 credits · Validated by Middlesex University | |
Apply for streamlined accreditation with ACC UK · SCoPEd Column B | |
Tutor Contact Hours & Clinical Hours
Across the programme, there are 187 tutor contact hours total.
Term Times
September – December
January – Easter
Easter – May
Study Patterns
You may choose to do this course:
- Entirely online or at Waverley Abbey, Farnham (Blended Learning)
- As a part-time pace (2 years) or full-time pace (1 year)
| Online | Blended Learning | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 39 classes
| 28 teaching days
|
| Year 2 | 3 classes Saturday afternoons (2–5pm) | 1 teaching day Weekday in-person at Waverley Abbey |
After Graduation
If you wish to continue your studies after completing this programme, you may:
- Enroll onto the MA in Therapeutic Counselling, Psychotherapy and Supervision master’s programme (Level 7), completed in 3 years part-time.
- Enroll on one of our CPD courses and develop specialised skills.
Location, Fees, and Requirements
Location
- Waverley Abbey House, Waverley Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8EP (Blended only)
- Online via Zoom and/or Microsoft Teams
Accessibility Information
Waverley Abbey House is a Grade II listed property. Most courses take place on the first floor, which is accessed by stairs. In the event of a fire, participants need to be able to walk downstairs at an average pace without assistance. Due to the listed status of the building, a lift is not available.
Entry Requirements
- Waverley Abbey College’s Diploma of Higher Education in Counselling (DipHE) or a counselling qualification which enables member status with a UK Professional Membership body (e.g. BACP, ACC). This is usually Level 4 HE and above.
- Minimum 100 hours supervised clinical practice required.
- Students are required to be practising counsellors in order to engage in the applied learning of the course.
Tuition Fees
| Course | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) Counselling Top-Up – Part-time (2 years) | £7,135 | £3,880 |
| BA (Hons) Counselling Top-Up – Full-time (1 year) | £9,130 | |
No Application Fee
Apply before 31 July to apply for free and avoid a late application fee.
Deposit
£500 non-refundable deposit upon acceptance. Counts towards tuition.
Advance Payment Discount
5% reduction on annual tuition fees if paid in full, in advance.
Student Finance
Available, varies by region
Payment Plans
10 monthly installments
3 termly installments
Bursuries
Available, assessed on a case-by-case basis
Cancellation Policy
If you withdraw from study, we offer the following refunds:
- Prior to start date of course — Refund of fees paid, excluding deposit
- Within 2 weeks of course start date — Refund of fees paid, excluding deposit. Requires submission of Withdrawal or Interruption form.
- Between 2–12 weeks of course start date — you are liable for 50% of annual tuition fees plus any other costs incurred. Requires submission of Withdrawal or Interruption form.
- After 12 weeks of course start date — No refund available.
See our full policy under the "Withdrawal And Interruption Of Studies" heading in Terms and Conditions of Enrolment 2026/27.
Other Fees & Info:
- Additional costs such as books are not included.
- Fees from Year 2 onwards are provisional and normally adjusted in line with inflation.
Fund Your Study
See the Fees & Funding page for a range of options of how to fund your study with us.
Further Details
Award
Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Counselling
- At Level 6 of the Higher Education Framework
- Providing 120 credits
- Validated by Middlesex University
Application guidance
You can start your application straight away. During the process, you may be asked to upload a few documents. It can be helpful to have these ready:
- Passport or driving licence
- A passport-style photo (with a clear image)
- Certificates or diplomas showing your highest academic qualification so far
- The name and email address of a referee
- Your personal statement (between 300–800 words)
You can also begin your application and return later with the documents.
FAQ: Can I still apply if I live abroad?
To study any of the online Higher Education courses and have it validated by Middlesex University, students outside of the UK must have a valid British passport, residency in the UK, or leave to remain status. Please also be mindful that our counselling training is based on UK legislation and professional practice. If you live in another country you will need to comply with local regulations.
If you have further questions
You have three options:
- Book a 20-min call with our team to explore the next step for you based on your current experience level, capacity, and goals.
- See our Fees & Funding page for more about Student Finance and bursaries— don’t let fi nancial concerns stop you from studying.
- See our Frequently Asked Questions page for some of the most common questions we get about studying at Waverley Abbey College.
Advance Your Practice as a Professional Counsellor
Whether you’re looking to deepen your therapeutic approach, integrate faith more confidently into your work, or move toward recognised professional accreditation, this programme supports the next stage of your development.
Grounded in a Christian worldview and aligned with professional standards, the BA (Hons) Counselling Top-Up programme enables you to refine your practice, strengthen your clinical confidence, and gain recognition at a SCoPEd Column B level—without the additional accreditation process typically required.
Places are limited, so apply early.