- Location
- Anniesland Campus
- SCQF Level
- 7
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- HNC
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 1 Year (August to June)
Applications open 15th January 2025
HNC Counselling (SCQF Level 7) is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of counselling theories and skills with the opportunity to apply these in classroom environments in simulated situations. The course is designed to integrate theory, practice, reflection and self-development, and covers subject areas such as humanistic, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural theories, understanding and working with addictive behaviours, and personal development in a therapeutic setting.
The HNC Counselling course provides a coherent and progressive learning programme relevant to the current needs of the counselling sector in Scotland.
What will I learn?
Subjects covered (including an Addiction Counselling Group Award*):
- Personal development planning
- Humanistic counselling theory
- Loss, grief and bereavement in a counselling setting
- Relationship-centred counselling skills
- Understanding addictive behaviours*
- Behavioural and cognitive counselling
- Group counselling skills
- Relationship-centred counselling skills
- Working with addictive behaviours*
- Psychodynamic counselling theory
- Relationship-centred counselling skills
- Working with substance misuse*
- Graded unit 1
- Personal development in a counselling skill setting
Non-assessed practical experience within a helping agency or organisation that allows for the supervised practice of counselling skills is encouraged during the course.
The course takes one year to complete on a full-time basis, or two years as a part-time evening course.
Entry requirements (minimum)
Essential
- Counselling Theory for Practice: An introduction (HE1A 46) (with two credits at SCQF Level 6) SQA Award, or equivalent Level 6 counselling units/awards
- Two Highers (including English), or equivalent
- You should be 18 years or older by the end of December due to PVG and protection legislation
Desirable
- Participation in voluntary/paid work experience in a counselling or care setting would be desirable
- Other relevant related Higher level qualifications (such as an HNC in Social Care, Health Care, Diploma in Social Work, Degree/Diploma in Nursing, etc) may be considered
- Experience of working with people who have experienced substance misuse problems, eating disorders, and relationship issues would be desirable
- A supportive, verifiable reference.
Entry requirement equivalency table
- If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
This course is underpinned by the BACP ethical framework. There is no placement required for this course although gaining relevant experience within a supporting and helping environment is recommended.
Jobs and further study
HNC Counselling can lead to work within an agency or organisation where counselling skills are required. It can also lead to progression to further study in counselling, psychology or related subject areas.
Successful completion will also lead to the opportunity to apply for HND Counselling at Glasgow Clyde College. Achieving the HNC Counselling provides joint certification from SQA and BACP. Students who have HNC Counselling and progress to study HND Counselling have the opportunity to access individual student BACP membership.
Take a look at the course progression map for social care and counselling courses.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply
You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will either be:
- Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional)
- Invited to book an interview session. This will consist of a group interview with two members of the team.
- Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
If you are invited to interview, you will be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days.
Selection outcomes are based upon careful consideration of interview performance, qualifications and/or relevant workplace experience for each applicant, as well as their personal statement.
The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date. This will normally be sent out in July.