Ellesmere Counselling and Psychotherapy Training
Same destination. A very different journey.
Train alongside your job, and reach UKCP registration sooner.
Starting in 2027 near Hull? East Riding College’s full-time counselling degree and ECPT’s training, compared like for like: study pattern, client work, qualification, accreditation, therapy, supervision and cost.
One weekend, or a Thursday and Friday, a month. Keep your job while you train.
ECPT trainees start placement in year 2. On the degree, client work starts in year 3.
To UKCP Column B and C, with no new provider to find for Level 7.
The degree route
East Riding College, BA (Hons) Integrative Counselling, Beverley
- Year 1 (Level 4)Full-time study from Sept 2027 · no client work
- Year 2 (Level 5)Full-time · preparation for placement
- Year 3 (Level 6)100 placement hrs · 10 hrs therapy · first clients about autumn 2029Qualified, then BACP registered (Column A) · about summer 2030
- Change: build 3 years’ practice, then apply to BACP
- BACP accreditation3+ years’ practice from first client · 450 supervised client hrsAccredited · Column B · about mid-2033
- Change: new provider and application for a Level 7
- Level 7 (postgraduate diploma or MA)2–3 years part-time · 160 hrs therapy and/or personal development
- Change: apply for senior accreditation
- Senior accreditationAccredited · Column C · about 2034
The direct train
ECPT: UKCP-accredited training in Hull and Newcastle
- Board at TA101A 2-day introduction, then application and interview. No Level 2 or 3 needed.
- Core Theory YearFrom Sept 2027 (weekend) or Feb 2027 (midweek) · 150 taught hrs · Foundation Certificate in TA
- Level 6 DiplomaPsychotherapeutic Counselling · first clients from year 2 (Sept 2028) · 100 client hrs · 105 hrs therapyQualified · about July 2030Alight here for UKCP Psychotherapeutic Counsellor450 supervised client hours, then UKCP accreditationAccredited · Column B · about 2031–32
- Or stay on board: Level 7 DiplomaPsychotherapy · a fourth year · 250 client hrs · 160 hrs therapy · no change of providerQualified · about July 2031Terminus: UKCP Psychotherapist450 supervised client hours, then UKCP accreditationAccredited · Column C · about late 2032–33
- Placements coordinated for you, with a placement supervisor and three-way contracts
- Group supervision alongside individual supervision
- A rich CPD programme
- Weekend or midweek timetable, one block a month
- Midweek group starts February 2027, seven months sooner
Journey to Column B, like for like
Degree route: BA (Hons) then BACP accreditation. Direct train: ECPT Level 6 Diploma then UKCP accreditation. Both starting September 2027.
| Measure | East Riding degree | ECPT direct train |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Sept 2027 | Sept 2027 (weekend), or Feb 2027 (midweek) |
| Entry | GCSE English and maths (grade 4) plus any Level 3, or non-standard entry | TA101, then application and interview |
| Study pattern | Full-time, 3 years | One weekend, or Thursday and Friday, a month |
| First clients | Year 3, about autumn 2029 | Year 2, from Sept 2028 |
| Qualified | About summer 2030 | About July 2030 (Jan 2030 midweek) |
| On a register when qualified | Yes: BACP (Column A), after the Certificate of Proficiency | Registered on UKCP accreditation |
| Client hours | 100 in training · 450 to accredit (150+ after qualifying) | 100 in training · 450 to accredit |
| Supervision | 1.5 hrs per 8 client hrs · about 55–75 hrs | 1:6, fortnightly · about 75–80 hrs |
| Personal therapy | 10 hrs minimum | 105 hrs minimum |
| Accredited at Column B | About mid-2033 | About 2031–32 (2031 midweek) |
| Estimated total cost | About £25,000–£30,000 | About £18,000–£24,000 |
| Government loans | Tuition loan covers the degree fees (about £21,000) | None: instalments or finance |
Journey to Column C, like for like
Degree route: BA (Hons), BACP accreditation, a separate Level 7, then senior accreditation. Direct train: ECPT Level 7 Diploma then UKCP accreditation.
| Measure | East Riding degree | ECPT direct train |
|---|---|---|
| Getting to Level 7 | New provider and application, from Sept 2030 | Stay on board for a fourth year |
| Qualified at Level 7 | About 2032–33 | About July 2031 (Jan 2031 midweek) |
| Personal therapy | 160 hrs therapy and/or personal development | 160 hrs minimum (half with a UKCP psychotherapist) |
| Accredited at Column C | About 2034 | About late 2032–33 (2032 midweek) |
| Estimated total cost | About £43,000–£53,000 (postgraduate diploma) or £48,000–£60,000 (MA) | About £23,000–£30,000 |
| Government loans | Degree tuition loan; Master’s Loan for an MA (not a postgraduate diploma) | None: instalments or finance |
Dates are estimates for someone starting in 2027 and depend on progress, client hours and assessment times. Degree route: East Riding College BA (Hons) Integrative Counselling course page, 2027/28 (full-time, 3 years, placement in year 3); fee of £6,995 a year from UCAS, to be confirmed with the college. BACP accreditation needs 3+ years in practice and 450 supervised hours within 3–6 years (150+ after qualifying); assessment can take 6–8 months. BACP senior accreditation needs accredited membership, 4+ years in practice, a validated Level 7 that includes a substantial research project or proposal, 500+ combined tutor hours and 160 hours of therapy and/or personal development. Level 7 examples: Leeds Beckett postgraduate diploma (about £4,080 a year, 2 years part-time) and York St John MA (£13,000, 3 years part-time, 2026 entry). Costs use the same rates for both routes: therapy and supervision at £45–£65 a session, plus £1,500–£3,500 for memberships, insurance and DBS checks. ECPT tuition at the 2025/26 fee of £2,790 a year including VAT, plus TA101 at £186; ECPT diploma levels refer to assessment at Level 6 and Level 7 criteria under UKCP training standards. UKCP psychotherapeutic counsellors align with SCoPEd Column B and psychotherapists with Column C. ECPT: Training Pathway Requirements, September 2025. October 2026.
