If you are interested in signing up for this course, we recommend that you attend one of our Taster Days.

• A 12 Day Certificate in Counselling
  
  OR
  
  

• Professional training that included 12 days of counselling skills training

If you are applying with a certificate in counselling from an alternative training venue, you will need to provide clear evidence that your certificate has been achieved within the last 5 years, and of the number of training hours undertaken.  Older certificates will be accepted at the discretion of the Programmes Lead where there is also evidence of further relevant work, or study (workshops, online courses, conferences etc) taken since completion of the certificate. 

If you are applying because your professional training included counselling training you will need to provide clear evidence that the counselling training aspect was undertaken within the last 5 years.   Older training will be accepted at the discretion of the Programmes Lead where there is also evidence of further relevant work, or study (workshops, online courses, conferences etc) taken since completion of the training.  Additionally, you will need to provide evidence of the number of hours spent in counselling skills training.  

Distance learning will not meet our entry requirements, as there are limited, if any, formal contacts between the tutor and student and with other students. However, we recognise that during the current pandemic many courses previously taught ‘face to face’ are now being taught via live online classrooms.  If this is the case, please let us know and we will be able to advise you further on your eligibility.

 
It is not possible to undertake our Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling at the same time as our Certificate in Counselling. You may, however, apply for the Advanced Diploma while undertaking the Certificate course, if it is due to be completed before the Diploma intake you are applying for begins. In those circumstances, any offer of a place on the Diploma would be subject to successful completion of the Certificate course.

 
How to apply:

You can apply by submitting the following documents and items:

• Advanced Courses Application Form (available to download from 'Download' section of this web page).

Application documents can be submitted by email to admissions@ironmill.co.uk. 

Please note: we are only accepting correspondence by email or phone throughout the coronavirus situation. 

Final application date

The deadline for applications is 6 weeks before the start of the course.  A decision will be made on whether the course will run, based on confirmed and accepted places, 4 weeks before the start date of the course.  Any applications received after the 6 week deadline will only be processed at the discretion of the Programmes Lead.

Selection for interview:

Selection is on the basis of information provided in your application (as above). The following criteria is also taken into account:
 

• Formal qualifications and experience

• Evidence of written English

• Commitment and enthusiasm for counselling

• Maturity and stability

• Resilience

• Self-awareness

In preparation for interview you are advised to look at the BACP website and the BACP Ethical Framework, which lists the values and personal qualities expected of counsellors

At interview:

Core teaching staff are involved in both the interviews and the selection process of applicants.

You will need to allow up to 3 hours for your interview and this will take the form of a group interview, followed by individual interviews. You will need to demonstrate to us your interpersonal skills and your relational capacity to effectively participate with others, with an awareness of difference and equality within the group environment.

Throughout the interview you will be invited to reflect upon your prior life experiences by using your self-awareness, your skills in self-reflection and maturity, using personal examples of how you have integrated your responses to those experiences. You will need to evidence your ability to engage with the academic requirements of the programme. Your application will necessitate you to be at the right time in your life, so you are able to engage fully with the training.

We will be looking for the following qualities (as identified in the BACP Gold Book 2009):

• Self-awareness, maturity and stability

• Ability to make use of and reflect upon life experience

• Capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the course

• Ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirements

• Ability to form a helping relationship

• Ability to be self critical and use both positive and negative feedback

• Awareness of the nature of prejudice and oppression

• Awareness of issues of difference and equality

• Ability to recognise the need for personal and professional support

• Competence in, or the aptitude to develop generic professional skills, including: literacy, numeracy, information technology, administrative skills, self management skills, communication and interpersonal skills.

We thank you for attending the interview and will write to you outlining the outcome of your interview.

The academic requirements of the Advanced Diploma require you to have sufficient IT skills to complete the course.

We ask you to note on your application any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, so that we can provide you with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter.

Please note:

Our agreement with you covers the period of your training however progression through the Advanced Diploma is not automatic and is subject to the satisfactory completion of the course requirements, including minimum attendance, personal development, assessments and meeting the criteria for placement. We reserve the right to defer a student or terminate their training based upon our professional experience.

Recognition of Prior Learning (APL): 

To ensure that all students meet the criteria for BACP registration, RPL is not permitted. Students need to complete the course in its entirety. 

Course fees and payment options:

Courses commencing on or after 1st Jan'21:

Option 1 Early Bird Offer (Total Payable £6,350.00):

• An Enrolment Deposit of £1,000.00 followed by:
• ONE instalment of £5,350.00 payable on or before 15th March (for Spring intakes) or on or before 30th July (for Autumn intakes). Please see our Early Bird Offer page for full details, terms and conditions.

Option 2 (Total Payable £6,995.00):

• An Enrolment Deposit of £1,000.00 followed by:
• ONE instalment of £2,497.50 in Year 1 AND
• ONE instalment of £3,497.50 in Year 2.

Option 3 (Total Payable £7,295.00):

• An Enrolment Deposit of £1,000.00 followed by:
• TWELVE monthly instalments of £280.00 (payable by direct debit) due on the 1st of each month in Year 1 AND
• TEN monthly instalments of £280.00 (payable by direct debit) due on the 1st of each month, with ONE FINAL instalment of £135.00 (payable by direct debit) in Year 2.

Bespoke Payment Plans (Total Payable £7,295.00):

In order to facilitate students, Iron Mill College has introduced Bespoke Payment Plans which can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Please contact us at 01392 219200 / enquiries@ironmill.co.uk for further information.

Please note: Iron Mill College makes every effort to avoid altering course times, course commencement and conclusion dates. However, should any changes be necessary, you will be notified at the earliest opportunity. All courses run subject to demand and the formation of a viable class cohort, based on the enrolment of a minimum number of successful applicants.

A full refund of course fees paid, including any deposit, will be given to all applicants in the event that a course does not proceed and at least 14 days’ notice (prior to the advertised course start date) will be given to applicants, in the event of a course cancellation or postponement. The college cannot be held liable for any remedy, damages or compensation beyond this.

Counselling is a fulfilling career and can change your life as well as others. People who become counsellors are genuinely interested in human behaviour and have a strong desire to help others improve their mental well-being. They are also skilled at interacting with people on a personal level, while maintaining a professional relationship.

Upon completion of the Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling, students can apply for our Post Qualifying Diploma in Counselling Children and Adolescents course.

Today more than ever there is a massive need for trained counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom. Indeed there is increased acknowledgement of the growing need for Counsellors within the HSE, Community Primary Care Groups, Schools and the Private Sector. Our Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling ensures that you have equipped yourself with the necessary qualification and training to be recognised and effective. Once you have completed your professional training, there are many routes open to you; You may wish to set up a Private Practice, join an agency or work for an organisation such as the HSE, a School, a Charity or a State-Body.

How much time should I allow for Studying?

• attendance of timetabled teaching days

• 1 day per week attending placement, and supervision

• 6 hours  per week for reading, research and preparation for course work

• personal therapy at 1 hour per week (40 hours minimum over two years, starting in year 1)
  

Are there extra-curricular requirements?

This paragraph contains a description of the additional time and expense requirements that will need to be undertaken by you in addition to the course contact time. The Iron Mill is unable to contribute to any additional costs.

• Travel and Boarding costs

• Purchase of books

• Membership of the BACP

• Supervision that meets BACP requirements  

• Minimum 150 hours of Placement contact time

• Minimum of 40 hours of Personal Therapy

• Personal liability insurance

• 3rd and 4th year tutorial and essay marking

• Your viva exam (Current fee: £160)

• Workshops/CPD programmes to complete any missed training hours (if not accounted for in mitigating circumstances)

Any figures quoted on this website are subject to change.

How long do I have to complete my placement hours once the two year taught component is finished?

Students must take their Viva within two years of completing the taught element of the course. Exceptional circumstances can be applied for viva outside of the two years but not later than three years: Contact with Iron Mill College and 3rd & 4th Year Tutor must be made during this time.

In the unlikely event that a students financial commitment has not been fulfilled within the timeframe of the financial agreement or previously agreed by the finance manager then students will not be able to attend their Viva Exam.


How do I get a placement?

Once you have passed your ‘competence to practice’ assessment, you will need to start looking for a suitable counselling placement of your choice. Iron Mill College will provide you with access to our placement database, guidance and support with applications and references, access to lists of approved supervisors and therapists, and a Placement Coordinator to support you. We have many years of experience in building relationships with placement providers and Iron Mill students have a great success rate of gaining placements during their training. However, Iron Mill College cannot guarantee that students will be able to gain a placement and to gain maximum opportunity students will need to be positive, confident, pro-active, flexible about the distance they are prepared to travel, and flexible with the times of the week they are available for placement work. 

How many students are in a class?

We aim to keep class proportions to a minimum and work within the BACP recommended student/staff ratio.

Group numbers will fluctuate as students from other cohorts retake modules missed through illness, for example.

Open or closed groups?

For the majority of the Advanced Diploma courses, group members will remain together for the complete duration of the period of study. However, we are committed to supporting students to complete their training, and recognise that at times due to extenuating circumstances some students will need to transfer to another Advanced Diploma course to complete their training or join a different group to attend modules missed. 

Does the course have an External Quality Assurance process?

The External Quality Assurance examiner is an independent academic from another college, and the aim of the Quality Assurance is to arrange visits to the ADC groups to carry out a “quality” assessment of the student experience in terms of learning and overall satisfaction with the Iron Mill education process. The emphasis is firmly placed on the student learning experience, examining creativity, teaching methods of tutors, academic challenge and support.

What is the difference between the various start dates of the Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling course?

All of our Advanced Diploma intakes have a taught programme of two years and have exactly the same content. The start dates vary dependant on which format you wish to attend (Weekly / Monthly).

Are there any bursaries available for this course?

Iron Mill College students have access to a limited number of bursaries provided by the Tricia Williams Scholarship. Find out more on our Funding page by clicking here.

Can I apply for the Advanced Diploma via APL after the start of the course? 

The Iron Mill does not admit students after the start of the course via APL.

What job opportunities are there for counsellors/psychotherapists?

The field of counselling & psychotherapy is very broad.  Some graduates are working part-time in private practice, some are working full time in eg HSE or schools or addiction centres or charities etc, and some have pursued their own area of interest by providing a new service in their community.  From surveys of graduates, most are working at least part-time in counselling & psychotherapy but some are simply continuing with their original career e.g. teachers, civil servants etc.

Role of 3rd and 4th year tutor

The role of the 3rd and 4th year tutor is to offer practical help and support to students in preparation for their Viva. The journey to becoming a professional counsellor is different for every student and the time needed to complete all the criteria also varies. Part of the tutor role therefore is to help ‘bridge the gap’ from student to practitioner by offering individual tutoring and coaching to ensure readiness for the Viva and ongoing professional competency.

One of the main tutor roles involves marking and feedback for any outstanding essays and case studies. This is an individual contractual arrangement based on student needs and is negotiated between the student and the tutor. This will include agreeing a time frame for feedback and marking, questions or clarification around feedback and tutor fees. Typically fees are around £40 per essay which would increase to a maximum of £100 depending on how much time/work was involved in getting your work to a passable standard. There is also the option of a pre-viva tutorial if required, at £40 for an hourly session.

Our intention is to support students in feeling confident for their Viva and in their development as competent practitioners. We can support students by offering individual Viva tutorials in person, by email or over the phone.


Robin Collins

I am a counsellor working in private practice in central Exeter. I originally studied Philosophy and Psychology at my home town University of Liverpool. Before becoming a counsellor I worked for many years in community media production and broadcast and also taught photography in adult education and video production for people with special needs. I was a volunteer for the Samaritans for a number of years, which eventually lead to seeking professional qualification in counselling at the Iron Mill College.

My contact email is Robin.Collins@ironmill.co.uk

Course Re-Accreditation:

The Advanced Diploma in Counselling (Integrative) at Iron Mill College was first accredited by BACP in 1998 and we remain extremely proud of our continuing association with the BACP as an accredited course.

Under the Accreditation of Training Courses 2013 criteria, Iron Mill College is obliged to inform existing and potential students of the renewal date for the accreditation awarded to our different venues.  Iron Mill College will therefore apply for re-accreditation when appropriate and will strive to meet the criteria to ensure our continued, accredited status.

Exeter

The Advanced Diploma in Counselling (Integrative) at Iron Mill College Exeter (weekday/weekend delivery) has its accreditation renewed by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) until 16th June 2023.

Poole

The Advanced Diploma in Counselling (Integrative) at Iron Mill College, Poole (weekday & weekend delivery) has its accreditation renewed by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) until 16th June 2022.