AIM’s Level 3 Counselling Qualification carries UCAS points

30 November 2021

AIM’s Level 3 Certificate in Counselling qualification is one of only a few in the country with UCAS points so learners can choose to use the qualification towards university entry tariffs.

Counselling is a growing skill area with opportunities for paid counselling work increasing* and the number of learners studying the subject is also on the increase. Applications to study counselling at university have defied demographic trends with overall year on year increases in applications since 2012**.

 “It was important for us to ensure that our learners were able to take advantage of this growth by opening up more routes to a counselling career” said Gareth Metcalf, Director of Product Integrity at AIM. “Learners following the AIM Qualification route now have a choice to either continue to the AIM Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Practice or use their Level 3 Certificate to study at University” he added.

Route to Counselling

AIM’s Level 4 counselling qualification has been designed in line with professional counselling body requirements. Although counselling has yet to become a profession regulated by statute, the Professional Standards Authority’s (PSA) Accredited Register programme is becoming recognised as a prestigious quality mark for counsellors. Two of the most well-known professional organisations for counsellors are British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and National Counselling Society (NCS). Both hold PSA Accredited Registers and regard registration as the minimum standard for practice.

Both BACP and NCS members can choose to work towards higher levels of professional recognition and enhanced employment opportunities. BACP’s is known as Accredited membership (MBACP Accred) whilst NCS’s is Accredited Professional Registrant (MNCS Prof Accred). It is necessary for these membership grades to have completed a total of 450 classroom based taught hours of counselling training (GLH). 
AIM’s suite of counselling qualifications has been developed for both aspiring and practicing counsellors. “There is something for everyone, from those who have little or no experience, to experienced practitioners who benefit from AIM’s Level 5 and 6 Diplomas” added Gareth.
A unique suite of qualifications

• UCAS points (Level 3)
• Learners can achieve more than a Pass grade at Level 3 and above
• Learners are assessed using reflective learning techniques to encourage self-development; a method of which aligns to common industry practice
• Assessments already in place; AIM has ready-to-go assignments making it easy for centres to deliver these qualifications 
• Regular networking events for centres delivering the qualification

Find out more by contacting enquiries@aim-group.org.uk 

or download our leaflet

* prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles
** UCAS data based on JACS C8 Psychology (which includes Counselling)
 

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