COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills (SCQF Level 8)
- Location
- Langside Campus
- SCQF Level
- 8
- Start Date & time
- 29 Aug 2026 @ 9am - 12.30pm (Saturday mornings)
- Qualification Type
- Professional Body Qualification
- Course Type
- Weekend
- Duration
- 30 weeks
£1300.00
Payment plans available, please enquire.
Are you looking to improve your communication, listening, and engagement skills? Do you work in a people centred role such as Human Resources, Social Services, Health Services and Welfare Services? Or are you wishing to pursue a future career in counselling or psychotherapy?
This accredited course will enhance your understanding of wide range of counselling skills and approaches while gaining an understanding of the theories of counselling with opportunities to actively practise and develop these skills in a supportive learning environment.
What will I learn?
COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills (SCQF Level 8) consists of four interdependent modules.
- Modules 1 and 2 focus on building your listening and responding skills, while also helping you develop greater self-awareness. These modules are highly practical and introduce the core conditions that underpin the main counselling approaches.
- Modules 3 and 4 explore the main counselling approaches in more depth and look at ethical issues and dilemmas you may encounter. Learning remains practical, and Module 4 brings everything together, helping you integrate your skills, knowledge and self-awareness.
- To achieve the certificate, you’ll need to complete all four modules.
- Each module involves around 30 hours of study, allowing you time to fully engage with the material.
- The course includes a variety of practical activities, such as skills practice, observing others, and giving and receiving reflective feedback - all within a supportive learning environment.
Please note:
- All course materials will be available on the college’s VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) CANVAS.
- This course is delivered both online and on campus.
- Coursebooks for all four modules are included in the course fee.
Entry requirements (minimum)
- Higher English at Grade C or above (or equivalent) or
- Intro to Counselling award/qualification at SCQF level 5 or 6
- Group Interview with successful outcome (you may also be asked to complete a short written piece of work, as a part of this process)
- Reference supporting your application (not from family or friends)
Jobs and further study
This course is awarded, validated and accredited in partnership with Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA). On successful completion, you’ll receive a COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills, with 40 SCQF credits at Level 8.
The course is also recognised as an entry qualification for the MSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy at the University of Strathclyde.
While this course provides a strong foundation in counselling skills, it does not qualify you to practise as a counsellor or to register as one.
If you’re interested in progressing further, this COSCA certificate meets the academic entry requirements for the two-year full-time Diploma (HNC/HND) in Counselling (SCQF Level 8) at Glasgow Clyde College, which can lead towards registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.