Qualification:
Level 4 Diploma in Counselling
🏷️
£2,400 per year (£4,800 total) (+£375 CPCAB Reg Fee)
CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling | In-Person & Online
The CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling is the qualification at which you transition from learning about counselling to becoming a counsellor. It’s the minimum qualification required to practise as a therapeutic counsellor in the UK, and it’s the point at which the CPCAB pathway becomes professional training in earnest.
Delivered from our Basingstoke training centre over two years part-time, this is a serious commitment, and it leads to a serious qualification. Successful completion gives you eligibility for full individual membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).
We deliver the Level 4 Diploma through two parallel groups, both leading to the same qualification: a fully in-person group, and a hybrid group that combines in-person sessions with one evening online each month. Both formats are designed for people balancing the qualification around existing work and family commitments, and you can choose whichever works best for your circumstances. We’ll talk you through the two formats in detail further down the page.
Overview
Who Is This Course For?
The Level 4 Diploma sits at a meaningful threshold in the counselling pathway and is a substantial commitment. There are 60 hours of personal therapy to complete, 100 hours of voluntary counselling placement work to facilitate, ongoing clinical supervision, and a meaningful body of written and reflective work. Students who do well on this course are those who arrive prepared to invest seriously in their own development, both academically and personally.
The students we attract tend to fall into one of a few groups:
Those completing the CPCAB pathway with us:
Many of our Level 4 students have come up through our Level 2 and Level 3 courses. The progression is well-trodden, and you’ll arrive already familiar with our approach, our tutors, and the standards we work to.
Those who completed Level 3 elsewhere:
If you’ve completed your Level 2 and Level 3 with another provider, you’re welcome to join our Level 4. We’ll talk you through the entry requirements when you enquire.
Existing helping-profession workers seeking formal qualification:
If you’ve been working in a quasi-counselling capacity (pastoral support, mentoring, mental health first aid, peer support) Level 4 is the qualification that gives that work professional standing. It’s also the qualification that opens up paid counselling roles, agency work, and the route to private practice.
Career changers committing to a new profession:
A significant proportion of our Level 4 students are in their thirties, forties or fifties, retraining from previous careers in education, healthcare, HR, social work, or business. Both of our delivery formats are built around people who can’t put their working life on hold for two years.
Learning Outcomes
What You'll Learn
By the end of the two years, you’ll have the knowledge, skills and competencies to work as a therapeutic counsellor within an agency setting. The course is built around seven core learning outcomes that develop progressively through the qualification:
- Work ethically, safely and professionally as a counsellor
- Build and sustain an effective counselling relationship with clients
- Work skilfully with diversity and difference in your counselling practice
- Apply a user-centred, person-led approach to therapeutic work
- Use self-awareness as a working tool in the counselling process
- Operate within a coherent framework of counselling theory and skills
- Reflect on your practice and develop continuously as a practitioner
Where Level 3 was about understanding counselling theoretically, Level 4 is about doing the work, under supervision, in placement, with real clients. The shift from theory to practice is the central feature of this qualification, and it’s what makes it genuinely formative rather than purely academic.
Course Details
Everything You Need to Know
Theoretical orientation
Our Level 4 Diploma is grounded in Clarkson’s (2003) Five Relationship Model of Integration, which provides a framework for working flexibly across multiple counselling approaches. The main modalities you’ll engage with are Person-Centred Therapy, Contemporary Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and Transactional Analysis.
We train integrative counsellors based on a relational integration approach. At the heart of our philosophy is the importance of the relationship between client and therapist, with different theoretical models and techniques drawn upon according to what best serves that relationship in a given moment. Our graduates leave with a coherent integrative practice, not a checklist of techniques.
Choose your delivery format
In-Person Group
- Format: Fully in-person at our Basingstoke training centre
- Pattern: 3 x Fridays per month (generally first three Fridays)
- Hours: 9:30am to 4:45pm
- Group name: Friday In-Person Group
The in-person group brings students together for full-day sessions at our Basingstoke centre. Each session combines theoretical input, group discussion, skills practice, case work, and personal development.
This format suits students who:
- Find that being in the same room with their tutor and fellow students supports the depth of learning the qualification requires
- Can travel to Basingstoke for the scheduled sessions throughout the two years
- Prefer the structure and focus of a full day of immersive learning
- Value the relationships and group dynamics that develop most strongly through in-person attendance
Hybrid Group
- Format: Combination of in-person sessions at our Basingstoke centre and online sessions via Zoom
- In-person pattern: 2 x Mondays per month (except for Sept and Oct which have 3x Mondays, but generally it is 2)
- In-person hours: 9:30am to 5pm
- Online pattern: 1 x Tuesday evening per month, 5:15pm to 9:30pm
- Group name: Mon/Tues Hybrid Group
The hybrid group keeps the depth and group dynamics of in-person learning for the majority of sessions, while using a monthly online evening to reduce the overall travel commitment for those not local to Basingstoke. The online element runs via Zoom and works alongside, rather than instead of, the in-person work.
There’s also a professional advantage to the hybrid format that students don’t always anticipate. Because your skills practice continues with the same peer across both in-person and online sessions, you get a real-time, hands-on sense of how working online changes the therapeutic relationship, and how to adapt your practice accordingly. With so much counselling now delivered remotely, graduating with that experience already embedded is a genuine head start for your career.
This format suits students who:
- Want the benefits of in-person learning but live further from Basingstoke
- Have work or family commitments that make a fully in-person schedule difficult
- Prefer a slightly more flexible delivery model
- Are comfortable engaging actively in online sessions as well as in-person ones
The hybrid group covers exactly the same content as the in-person group and is taught by the same standard of tutors. The online evening session is an integral part of the course, not a recording or self-study session. It’s live, interactive, and attended by the same group of fellow students throughout the two years.
Which format should I choose?
Both formats lead to identical qualifications, and both produce well-prepared, confident newly-qualified counsellors. The right choice for you comes down to practical and personal factors, how far you live from Basingstoke, what your work and family pattern allows, and how you prefer to learn.
If you’re not sure which format would suit you better, please contact us. We’re happy to talk through the practical implications of each option before you apply.
Additional course requirements
The Level 4 Diploma involves significant work outside the classroom, all of which is the student’s responsibility to organise and finance:
Personal therapy (60 hours): You’ll need to engage with 60 hours of personal therapy with an approved therapist over the two years. We view personal therapy is a critical part of becoming a counsellor, both as professional development and as an ethical foundation for the work.
Voluntary counselling placement (100 hours of client work): You’ll secure a voluntary placement at a counselling agency and complete at least 100 hours of supervised client work. We support you in finding a placement in several ways including publication of a placements directory that we update annually and sharing adverts from our network of partner agencies. However please note that the responsibility to secure a placement ultimately rests with you. Most students secure their placement during the latter half of Year 1, ready to begin client work in Year 2.
Clinical supervision: Once you’re in placement, you’ll engage in regular clinical supervision in line with NCPS and BACP guidelines. Supervision is typically arranged through your placement agency.
Professional body membership: You must hold student membership with either NCPS or BACP for the entire duration of the course.
These requirements are what makes the Level 4 a practitioner qualification rather than just an academic one. They’re also what students consistently tell us was the most transformative part of the course, the point at which the work becomes real.
Assessment Process
You’ll be assessed across four integrated methods throughout the two years:
- Written work including essays, reflective journals, and case studies
- Tutor and peer observations of skills practice during sessions
- Group presentations on theoretical and professional practice topics
- Reports from your clinical supervisor and placement manager
Assessment is continuous and developmental, designed to support your growth as a practitioner rather than to create high-pressure end-points. There are no traditional exams.
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for the Level 4 Diploma, you must have completed (or be due to complete) both of the following:
- CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (or equivalent), and
- CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (or equivalent)
These prior qualifications must total at least 90 hours of live, tutor-led, class-based study (online or in-person) and must have included a skills-practice element.
If you’ve completed your Level 2 and Level 3 with a different awarding body (i.e. non-CPCAB), you’re still welcome to apply. However, we will need to review your prior training to ensure it meets the equivalence requirements. Please contact us before applying if you’d like to talk this through.
Course Fees
Fee | Amount |
Course fee (Year 1) | £2,400 |
Course fee (Year 2) | £2,400 |
Total course fee | £4,800 |
CPCAB registration fee | £375 per year (payable directly to CPCAB) |
The course fee is paid annually (with monthly instalments options available) rather than upfront for the full two years, which gives most students a more manageable budget. The fee covers all teaching sessions, tutor support, and core course materials.
Additional costs that you’ll need to budget for separately include personal therapy (60 hours over the two years), professional body membership (NCPS or BACP student rate), and any costs associated with your placement (such as travel).
If you’d like to discuss fees or payment arrangements before applying, please contact us. We’re happy to talk it through.
Studying with us in Basingstoke
Our training centre sits in Basingstoke, Hampshire. We attract Level 4 students from across the county and beyond, typically commuting in from across the Basingstoke area, as well as Andover, Tadley, Hook, Fleet, Farnborough, Reading, Newbury, Winchester and the wider Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire regions.
Basingstoke is well-connected by road and rail, with direct trains from London Waterloo, Reading, Southampton and Winchester, and easy access from the M3 and M4. For students travelling from further afield, our hybrid group offers an additional way to reduce the in-person travel commitment while still benefiting from the depth of in-person learning for the majority of sessions.
If you’re considering whether the journey works for you, we’re happy to talk through what the practical experience is like for our students who already commute in. Please get in touch.
Upcoming Course Dates
The next intake of the Level 4 Diploma starts in September 2026 for both groups.
In-Person Group — September 2026 | Friday Group
Year 1 dates:
Friday Group (3 x Fridays per month in Basingstoke, 9:30am to 4:45pm, with the exception of 1 Thursday date held on Zoom):
- Friday 4th September 2026
- Friday 11th September 2026
- Friday 18th September 2026
- Friday 2nd October 2026
- Friday 9th October 2026
- Friday 16th October 2026
- Friday 6th November 2026
- Friday 13th November 2026
- Friday 20th November 2026
- Friday 4th December 2026
- Friday 11th December 2026
- Thursday 17th December 2026
- Friday 8th January 2027
- Friday 15th January 2027
- Friday 22nd January 2027
- Friday 5th February 2027
- Friday 12th February 2027
- Friday 19th February 2027
- Friday 5th March 2027
- Friday 12th March 2027
- Friday 19th March 2027
- Friday 9th April 2027
- Friday 16th April 2027
- Friday 23rd April 2027
- Friday 7th May 2027
- Friday 14th May 2027
- Friday 21st May 2027
- Friday 4th June 2027
- Friday 11th June 2027
- Friday 18th June 2027
- Friday 2nd July 2027
- Friday 9th July 2027
- Friday 16th July 2027
Year 2 dates will be published nearer the time but will follow the same pattern.
Hybrid Group – September 2026
Year 1 dates:
2x Mondays per month (in Basingstoke) – 9:30am to 5pm
1x Tuesday evenings per month (via Zoom) – 5:15pm to 9:30pm
- Monday 14th September 2026
- Tuesday 15th September 2026
- Monday 21st September 2026
- Monday 28th September 2026
- Monday 12th October 2026
- Tuesday 13th October 2026
- Monday 19th October 2026
- Monday 26th October 2026
- Monday 9th November 2026
- Tuesday 10th November 2026
- Monday 16th November 2026
- Tuesday 8th December 2026
- Monday 14th December 2026
- Monday 21st December 2026
- Monday 11th January 2027
- Tuesday 12th January 2027
- Monday 18th January 2027
- Monday 8th February 2027
- Tuesday 9th Feb ruary 2027
- Monday 15th February 2027
- Monday 8th March 2027
- Tuesday 9th March 2027
- Monday 15th March 2027
- Monday 12th April 2027
- Tuesday 13th April 2027
- Monday 19th April 2027
- Tuesday 11th May 2027
- Monday 17th May 2027
- Monday 24th May 2027
- Tuesday 8th June 2027
- Monday 14th June 2027
- Monday 21st June 2027
- Monday 12th July 2027
- Tuesday 13th July 2027
- Monday 19th July 2027
Where this leads
The Level 4 Diploma is the qualification at which you become a working counsellor. On successful completion, you’ll have:
- Eligibility for full individual membership of NCPS as well as BACP (subject to completion of their ‘Certificate of Proficiency’ examination)
- Completed a qualification that is fully accredited by the NCPS
- The qualification required to practise as a therapeutic counsellor in agency settings
- The foundation for progressing to Level 5 specialist qualifications
Here’s where it sits in the broader CPCAB pathway:
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills — The introductory step on the pathway.
↓ Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies — Theoretical preparation for practitioner training.
↓ Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling ← You are here
↓ Level 5 Specialist Diplomas — On completion of Level 4, you’ll be eligible to apply for our advanced level 5 diplomas.
For more on what graduating from Level 4 means in practical terms, our article on what you can do with a Level 4 qualification explores career options and progression in detail.
How To Apply
To apply for this course, click the ‘Apply Now’ button on this page, or head to our application form here.
Your Training Pathway
Your Path From Level 4
L2
INTRODUCTION
Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
L3
EXPAND KNOWLEDGE
Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
L4
You Are Here
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
L5-6
Advance
Level 5 / 6 Advanced Qualifications
L7
Specialise
Level 7 Specialist Diplomas
On completion of Level 4, you’ll be eligible to apply for our Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, our Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People, or our Level 5 Diploma in CBT opening the door to independent practice and specialist work. View all our CPCAB counselling courses.
everything you might need to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Level 4 Diploma qualify me to practise as a counsellor?
Yes. The CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling is the minimum qualification required to practise as a therapeutic counsellor in the UK. On successful completion, you’ll be eligible for full individual membership of NCPS and BACP, and qualified to work as a therapeutic counsellor within an agency setting.
What's the difference between the In-Person Group and the Hybrid Group?
The two groups lead to identical qualifications, with the same fees, content, assessment, entry requirements, and learning outcomes. The only difference is delivery format. The In-Person Group attends all sessions at our Basingstoke centre (3x Friday per month). The Hybrid Group attends most sessions in-person at Basingstoke (2x Mondays per month), with one evening session per month delivered live via Zoom instead (1x Tuesday evening per month). The hybrid format suits students who live further from Basingstoke or who want to reduce the in-person travel commitment slightly without losing the benefits of in-person learning.
Can I switch between the two groups during the course?
We try to keep students within their original group throughout the course, since the relationships and group dynamics that develop are an important part of the learning. If circumstances change significantly during the two years, please talk to us and we’ll do our best to support whatever transition makes sense.
How does the two-year, part-time format work?
The course runs over two academic years for both groups. The In-Person Group attends 3x in person sessions per month on a Friday. The Hybrid Group attends 2x in person sessions a month on a Monday and 1x online evening session per month on a Tuesday. Both formats give you the rest of the month free of class commitments, which most students use to fit placement work, personal therapy, supervision, and reading around their existing work and family life.
What's the total cost of the course?
The course fee is £2,400 per year, totaling £4,800 across the two years, plus a £375 CPCAB registration fee per year. There are also additional costs you’ll need to budget for separately: personal therapy (60 hours), professional body membership (NCPS or BACP student rate), and any costs associated with your placement.
Do I have to find my own placement?
Yes. Securing a voluntary counselling placement is the student’s responsibility, though we provide guidance and support throughout the process. At the start of the course we publish our placements directory, which is updated annually and provides details of placements across the South of England and beyond including online placements. Additionally, we regularly share and promote advertisements received from our partner agencies across the region who actively work with our placement students. We hold longstanding relationships with a significant number of placement providers, something we’re incredibly proud of as a college. Most students secure their placement during the latter half of Year 1, ready to begin client work in Year 2.
Can I complete the Level 4 entirely online?
No. Both of our Level 4 groups include substantial in-person attendance at our Basingstoke centre. The qualification involves a significant amount of practical skills work, group dynamics, and personal development that genuinely benefits from being in the same room with your tutor and fellow students. The hybrid group does include one online evening session per month via Zoom, but the majority of sessions remain in-person. Online attendance for the hybrid group remains aligned with CPCAB and BACP requirements of a minimum of 75% of guided learning hours being in person.
How far do students typically travel?
We attract students from across Hampshire and the surrounding area, including Andover, Tadley, Hook, Fleet, Farnborough, Reading, Newbury, and Winchester. Along with students from across the south including Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Berkshire. In recent years we’ve even had students from as far as Norfolk, Wales and Devon, proving that geography certainly need not be a barrier to learning with us! Students living further from Basingstoke may also find our Hybrid Group particularly appealing, as one of the monthly sessions runs online rather than in-person.
Is BACP membership eligible after Level 4 only?
Yes. On successful completion of our Level 4 Diploma, you’ll be eligible to sit the BACP’s ‘Certificate of Proficiency’ examination which enables full registered membership of BACP. However, for those not wishing to sit an examination and preferring to join NCPS instead, the course has been fully accredited by NCPS and grants immediate access to full membership upon graduation.
Why do I need 60 hours of personal therapy?
Personal therapy is a core requirement of practitioner-level counselling training, both for your own development and as an ethical foundation for working with clients. Our philosophy as a college is that we can’t expect to take clients to levels of psychological depth and exploration that we haven’t been willing to engage with ourselves. Our philosophy and approach to counselling can be summed up in one phrase – ‘the better we know ourselves, the better we can help our clients’. The 60 hours is spread across the two years, so it’s manageable alongside the rest of the course.
Can I do Level 4 without having done Level 2 and Level 3?
You’ll need to have completed (or be due to complete) the equivalent of CPCAB Level 2 and Level 3, at least 90 hours of tutor-led, class-based counselling training including a live skills-practice element. If you’ve completed counselling training elsewhere and you’re not sure whether it qualifies, please contact us before applying and we’ll talk it through with you.
What can I do after Level 4?
You’ll be eligible to practise as a therapeutic counsellor in an agency setting and to pursue full BACP or NCPS membership. Many graduates also progress to one of our Level 5 specialist qualifications (either Psychotherapeutic Counselling, Counselling Children and Young People or our Diploma in CBT) which opens the door to independent practice and specialist work.
Ready to take the next step?
The CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling is a serious qualification for people serious about becoming counsellors. It’s a two-year commitment, it’s demanding, and it’s transformative. Most of our graduates describe it as one of the most significant experiences of their adult lives.
Places are limited and tend to fill early, so we recommend applying in good time.
