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Free Level 3 Counselling Course Online – Bournemouth & Poole College

CostFREE
Duration6 months
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryOnline
StartFlexible
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
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About this course

Free Level 3 Counselling Course. Study online, at your own pace, with no travel required. This free counselling course for adults takes around six months to complete. You'll study active listening, ethical practice, and key counselling theories across five assessed units. The course builds on previous counselling skills training, such as a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or equivalent. It does not qualify you to practise as a counsellor, but it is a strong foundation for further training.

Who this course is for

The Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills is a nationally recognised qualification designed to develop your ability to support others through effective communication, active listening, and ethical practice. With rising demand for skilled individuals who can provide emotional support, particularly in areas such as anxiety, bereavement, trauma and life transitions, counselling skills are more vital than ever. This course is ideal for those working or volunteering in roles that involve supporting others wellbeing. You will explore a range of practical counselling techniques and gain an understanding of key theoretical approaches that underpin professional counselling practice. If you are passionate about helping others and would like to develop your skills further, this course offers both a respected qualification and the foundational knowledge needed to progress in the counselling field. Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills has professional endorsement from ACCPH (ACCPH is an independent professional body and register for counsellors, coaches, psychotherapists, and hypnotherapists in England). On completing this course, you can join ACCPH as a member and be eligible for certain benefits. This qualification carries 24 UCAS points. Please refer to the UCAS website for further details of the points allocation and for the most up-to-date information, as this could be subject to change.

Entry requirements

This course is suited for learners who have already completed counselling skills training (e.g. the Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or equivalent). As part of the entry process, all applicants are required to complete a short exercise by answering two questions from the course. Please ensure you have a suitable device to study the course on, such as a desktop or laptop computer, to allow you to view your learning account and type answers with ease.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop active listening skills to support people through difficult conversations.
  • You'll explore key theoretical approaches that underpin counselling practice.
  • You'll learn how to apply ethical principles in a helping relationship.
  • You'll study how counselling skills apply to areas such as anxiety, bereavement, trauma, and life transitions.
  • You'll practise effective communication techniques used in supporting others.
  • You'll build an understanding of professional boundaries and self-awareness in a helping role.

How you will learn

You'll study through an online learning account containing your materials and assessments. There are five assessed units. You have four weeks to complete each assessment, and all work is submitted through an online platform. Assessments are untimed. A personal tutor is assigned to you and provides ongoing feedback as you work through each unit.

What you will need to bring

You'll need a desktop or laptop computer to access your learning account and type your assessment answers. Bournemouth & Poole College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Support worker. Use counselling skills to support adults in community or residential settings.
  • Care assistant. Help individuals with emotional and practical day-to-day needs.
  • Youth support worker. Work with young people facing personal or social challenges.
  • SEN teaching assistant. Support pupils with additional emotional or learning needs.
  • Teaching assistant. Assist in classroom settings, including pastoral support roles.
  • Adult educator. Facilitate learning for adults in community or further education settings.
  • Counselling volunteer or trainee. Work toward supervised client hours in a voluntary role.

What you could study next

This level 3 counselling qualification is a stepping stone toward becoming a qualified counsellor. You could progress to a Level 4 or Level 5 Diploma in Counselling, often delivered by awarding bodies such as CPCAB, which includes in-person training and supervised client work. Some learners also use this qualification to apply for relevant degree programmes in counselling, psychology, or social work. The qualification carries UCAS tariff points, so check the UCAS website for current information.

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