Ellesmere Counselling and Psychotherapy Training · Newcastle
Why keep changing trains?
Take the direct route to UKCP registration, at weekends in Gosforth.
Starting in 2027 in Newcastle? The CPCAB college route (Level 2–3 online, Level 4 in Newcastle) and ECPT’s training with Peel in Gosforth, compared like for like: study pattern, client work, qualification, accreditation, therapy, supervision and cost.
One weekend a month in Gosforth. The Level 4 route here is taught one weekday a week.
On the Level 4 route, finding a placement is the student’s responsibility.
No Level 5, no new provider and no separate Master’s to fund.
Changing trains
CPCAB route: Levels 2–3 online, Level 4 in Newcastle (Astranti Connect)
- Levels 2 + 3 (accelerated)Online, one weekday a week · Jan–Jul 2027
- Change: wait for the next Level 4 intake
- Level 4 DiplomaNewcastle, one weekday a week · Feb 2028–Jan 2030 · find your own placement · 100 client hrsQualified, then BACP or NCPS registered (Column A) · about early 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-2032
- Change: Level 5 or a degree, then a new Master’s
- Level 5, then a Level 7 MAAbout 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 with Peel: UKCP-accredited training in Gosforth
- Board at TA101A 2-day introduction, then application and interview. No Level 2 or 3 needed.
- Core Theory YearOne weekend a month from Sept 2027 · 150 taught hrs · Foundation Certificate in TA
- Level 6 DiplomaPsychotherapeutic Counselling · first clients from 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 across the Ellesmere community
- One weekend a month, so you can keep your job
- The same course content and support as our Hull training
Journey to Column B, like for like
CPCAB route: Levels 2–4 then BACP accreditation. Direct train: ECPT Level 6 Diploma then UKCP accreditation.
| Measure | CPCAB route | ECPT direct train |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Jan 2027 (Levels 2–3 online) | Sept 2027 |
| Entry | Level 2, then Level 3, then apply for Level 4 | TA101, then application and interview |
| Study pattern | One weekday a week (Level 4 daytime in Newcastle) | One weekend a month in Gosforth |
| Placement | Student finds their own | Coordinated by ECPT, with a placement supervisor and three-way contract |
| First clients | About autumn 2028 (estimate) | From Sept 2028 |
| Qualified | About early 2030 | About July 2030 |
| On a register when qualified | Yes: BACP or NCPS (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 a month (about 1:8) · 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-2032 | About 2031–32 |
| Estimated total cost | About £16,000–£23,000 | About £18,000–£24,000 |
| Government loans | None listed: instalments | None: instalments or finance |
Journey to Column C, like for like
CPCAB route: Level 4, BACP accreditation, Level 5, a Master’s, then senior accreditation. Direct train: ECPT Level 7 Diploma then UKCP accreditation.
| Measure | CPCAB route | ECPT direct train |
|---|---|---|
| Getting to Level 7 | Level 5 (1 year), then a new application for a 2-year part-time MA | Stay on board for a fourth year |
| Qualified at Level 7 | About 2033 | About July 2031 |
| 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 |
| Estimated total cost | About £34,000–£55,000 | About £23,000–£30,000 |
| Government loans | Master’s Loan for the MA | None: instalments or finance |
Dates are estimates for someone starting in 2027 and depend on progress, client hours and assessment times. CPCAB route: Astranti Connect online accelerated Levels 2–3 (Jan–Jul 2027, £2,680) and Newcastle Level 4 (Feb 2028–Jan 2030, one daytime session a week, day not yet published, about £8,960–£9,140; placement is the student’s responsibility). Level 7 example: Newcastle College MA Professional Development for Counselling (2 years part-time; entry needs a Level 5 counselling qualification or a degree; fee not yet published; BACP checks each Level 7 against its criteria, so confirm with BACP before relying on it). 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. 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; Next Newcastle intake September 2027. 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.
