Introduction to Counselling
- Location
- Anniesland Campus
- SCQF Level
- 5
- Start Date & time
- 27 Aug 2026 @ 6.15pm - 9pm
- Qualification Type
- Units only
- Course Type
- Evening
- Duration
- 12 weeks (Thursday evenings)
£345.00
Introduction to Counselling (Level 5) is a 12-week evening course which has been designed for anyone with an interest in counselling. Whether you're looking to enhance your people skills, support others more effectively in your professional role, or begin your journey towards further study in counselling, this introductory course can help you take the first step.
What will I learn?
Introduction to Counselling will introduce you to the purpose, and the basic concepts and processes of counselling, including the importance of reflective practice.
During Introduction to Counselling you'll learn:
- A definition of counselling
- The aims and purpose of counselling
- The qualities of an effective counsellor
- The counselling process
- Counselling skills development via role-play activities
- Counselling agency profiles
- How to reflect on your own counselling skills
This course is an SCQF level 5 SQA unit and has four assessments attached to it.
As this is an SCQF Level 5 introductory unit to counselling concepts and processes, it provides underpinning and basic knowledge of the subject, however, it does not, in any way, permit those who have achieved it to refer to themselves as qualified counsellors.
Entry requirements (minimum)
Introduction to Counselling has been designed for anyone who has an interest in counselling, but who has limited previous knowledge or experience of studying counselling.
Employer and industry links
This Level 5 counselling course and the Level 6 Counselling qualifications can enhance job applications for those wishing to apply for roles involving working with people, or with the public, or for those who want to develop skills, knowledge, and an understanding of how to best support people in a variety of settings (both personally and professionally), while also enhancing opportunities for career development and progression for those already in a working environment.
Jobs and further study
At the end of this course, successful students can apply for the SCQF level 6 Counselling Theory for Practice: an Introduction unit and then progress to the SCQF Level 7 HNC Counselling or COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills.
For those who are interested in becoming a Registered BACP Counsellor, the general route is over three years:
- Year 1 - Introduction to Counselling (SCQF Level 5) (Part Time over 12 weeks), followed by the SCQF level 6 Counselling Theory for Practice: an Introduction (Part Time over 24 weeks)
- Year 2 - HNC Counselling (Level 7) (Full Time Day over 1 year)
- Year 3 - HND Counselling (Level 8) (BACP Diploma) (Full Time Day. This leads to a registration opportunity, as a professional Registered Counsellor, with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) (HNC is essentially the first year of the 2 year Diploma)