Counselling Courses

Counselling Skills

Level 3 - Certificate

What is Level 3?

This is equivalent to Access to Higher Education, A-Levels grades A to E or an Advanced Apprenticeship.

This course is designed for individuals who are looking to progress to training that will enable them to become a qualified professional counsellor, or those looking to develop counselling skills to use in their area of work e.g. nurses, social workers etc.

Prefer to talk? Call 01226 776000 or email advice@northern.ac.uk and one of our team will get back to you.

Level 3

This is equivalent to Access to Higher Education, A-Levels grades A to E or an Advanced Apprenticeship.

Find out about progression

Course description

The course will enable students to develop a range of counselling skills that will be applicable to a range of roles. This course is designed for individuals who are looking to progress to training that will enable them to become a qualified professional counsellor, or those looking to develop counselling skills to use in their area of work e.g. nurses, social workers etc.

The course will enable students to develop a range of counselling skills that will be applicable to a range of contexts, as well as develop an understanding of at least one therapeutic model. It will also underpin counselling skills, as well as the importance of self-development.

This qualification does not qualify you to practice as a counsellor.

On completion of this course you will achieve:

SEG Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills

What can this course lead to?

This course could enable you to progress onto a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.

Course session dates

Tailored Learning Objective

Preparing for Employment

When does this start and end?

We have 2 different start dates for this course:

23 January 2026 - 26 June 2026
25 February 2026 - 16 July 2026

What are the entry requirements?

You will need a Level 2 qualification in Counselling or an alternative relevant L2 vocational qualification. To secure a place on this course you will be required to attend an interview to demonstrate suitability.

Do you know? The average wage for fully qualified Counsellors is £22,600

“Being a full-time mum has been amazing - now is the time to focus on what I want to do.” - Julie
Learn more about Julie's story

The counselling course content was marvellous. It touched every area and I believe was integral in me becoming a success at counselling.

After completing the short course in Counselling Therapy, I was inspired and motivated to pursue the level 1 and level 2 as well. Was a life changing experience.

Studying the counselling course at the Northern College has been one of the most profoundly transformative and insightful experiences of my life. It has forever changed me as a person and I view the world through new eyes now.

I am now reaping the rewards from the counselling course and look forward to continuing my studies. Thank you so very, very much for your enduring support, fantastic teaching and boundless patience!