Questions you may have.

Learning and participation

Do I need previous counselling experience to apply for Level 2? No. The course is designed as a foundation in counselling skills, so you do not need previous counselling training or experience. What matters more is a willingness to take part, practise with others, reflect on your own experience and engage with the learning as the course develops.

Is the Level 2 course only for people who want to become counsellors? No. Some learners may be considering further counselling training, but that is not the only reason to take the skills course. Counselling skills can also be valuable for people who work with others, want to strengthen their communication and listening skills, or are interested in personal development and understanding relationships more deeply.

Will I be expected to talk about personal things? Personal reflection and self-awareness are an important part of experiential counselling training, so you will be encouraged to think about your own responses, relationships and experiences as part of the learning. However, you will not be expected to disclose anything you do not feel comfortable sharing. The aim is to develop awareness and understanding, not to turn studying into personal therapy. Learners are encouraged to work within their own boundaries while also respecting the privacy and confidentiality of others in the group.

Is what I share in the group confidential? Confidentiality is an important part of creating a safe and respectful learning environment. Learners will be expected to treat personal information shared by others within the group as private and not discuss it outside the course. As with counselling practice, there may be exceptional circumstances where confidentiality cannot be maintained, for example, where there is a serious concern about someone’s safety or wellbeing. These boundaries will be explained clearly at the beginning of the course so that everyone understands what they can expect from one another.

How much work is required outside the teaching sessions? Our courses are designed to be manageable alongside work and other commitments. You’ll be encouraged to keep a regular reflective learning journal and there may be occasional short activities or pieces of written work, but the emphasis is on your participation, skills practice and learning within the sessions rather than heavy academic assignments.

What happen if I miss a teaching session? Because our courses are experiential, much of the learning happens through participation, skills practice and working alongside the group. Learners are therefore expected to commit to attending as many sessions as possible, both for their own learning and for continuity within the group. If you do need to miss a session, we can look at what was covered and how you can remain connected with the learning. However, some aspects of the experience cannot be recreated outside the room, and regular attendance will form part of the requirements for successfully completing the course.

Assessment, completion and progression

How will my learning be assessed? Assessment is designed to support an experiential approach to learning, rather than simply test how well you can record or reproduce information. You’ll build evidence through participation, counselling skills practice, theory and reflective journal work and occasional written activities. The emphasis is on showing how your understanding, self-awareness and skills develop through the experience of the course, rather than completing a large volume of academic assignments.

What will I receive when I complete the course? Learners who successfully complete the Level 2 or 3 will receive The Frederick School Certificate in Counselling Skills or Counselling Theory, confirming successful completion of the programme and its 90 guided learning hours. The certificate is awarded on achievement, rather than attendance alone. Learners must meet the course requirements, including successful completion of the live counselling skills assessment and written assessment, as well as the expectations for participation and engagement across the programme. The certificate is independently designed and awarded by The Frederick School and recognises substantial foundation-level training in counselling skills, personal development, theory and ethical practice across both Level 2 and 3.

Will completing Level 2 or 3 qualify me to practice as a counsellor? No. These are foundation-level courses and they do not qualify you to practise professionally as a counsellor. They are designed to develop core counselling skills, self-awareness and an understanding of counselling theory and process. For those who want to continue towards professional practice, it can provide a strong foundation from which to explore further counselling training and professional training pathways.

Can these courses help me to progress to further counselling training? Yes. Both courses are designed to support progression through the counselling training pathway. The Level 2-equivalent course provides a foundation in counselling skills, self-awareness, theory and experiential learning, with Level 3 commonly being the next stage of training. The Level 3 course builds on this foundation with a greater focus on counselling theory, developing understanding, reflective capacity and readiness for more advanced training. Entry requirements vary between colleges and training providers, so progression to a particular course cannot be guaranteed. Learners planning to continue their training should always check the entry requirements of the next programme they are considering. This reflects the typical progression route through counselling training

Fees and application process

When does the Level 2 course run? The course begins on Wednesday 13th January 2027 and runs every Wednesday from 9.30am–2.30pm across 18 teaching weeks. Scheduled breaks are built into the programme around the academic calendar.

When does the Level 3 course run? The course begins on Monday 1st February 2027 and runs every Monday from 9.30am–2.30pm across 18 teaching weeks. Scheduled breaks are built into the programme around the academic calendar.

How do I apply for a place on a course? To apply for a place at The Frederick School, simply complete the online application and pay your course deposit. Your deposit provisionally reserves your place, subject to a successful suitability interview. This is a relaxed conversation to explore your reasons for joining and ensure the course is right for you. If successful, your place is confirmed and we’ll provide details of the remaining payment arrangements. If we cannot offer you a place following your interview, your deposit will be refunded in full. If you have any questions before applying, you’re welcome to contact us.

What happens at the suitability interview? The suitability interview is a relaxed, informal conversation lasting no longer than 30 minutes. It’s an opportunity for us to learn more about you, your reasons for wanting to study counselling and what you hope to gain from the course. We’ll also explore your expectations, readiness for training and whether the course is a good fit for you. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to ask questions, too. It’s a two-way conversation, not an examination.

What happens if I change my mind after applying? If you change your mind after applying and paying your deposit, please contact us as soon as possible. Your cancellation and refund rights, including the applicable 14-day cooling-off period, are explained in our Terms & Conditions, which are available to read before applying. If The Frederick School decides not to offer you a place following your suitability interview, your deposit will be refunded in full.

When is my place confirmed? When you apply and pay your deposit, a place is provisionally reserved for you, subject to a successful suitability interview. Following a successful interview, your place will be formally confirmed by email, together with details of your remaining payment arrangements. All course fees must be paid before the course begins.

Can I pay the course fee in instalments? The course fee is paid in two stages: an initial deposit when you apply, followed by the remaining balance if your application is successful. The balance is normally due within 21 calendar days of your Admission Confirmation, or at least 14 days before the course begins, whichever comes first. We do not offer monthly instalment plans, although you are welcome to arrange your own payment finance independently. The full course fee must be paid before your first session.

Can I transfer my place to someone else? No. Course places are offered to individual applicants following the suitability process and cannot be transferred to another person. If you decide not to continue, a friend or colleague would need to apply and complete the usual enrolment process before they could be considered for a place.

What happens if the course is full? Places are limited to 12 students per course. If a course is full, you can contact us to request a place on our waiting list. We’ll let you know if a place becomes available. We also plan to offer two course intakes each calendar year, so you’ll have the opportunity to apply for a future course.

What happens if The Frederick School has to cancel or postpone the course? If we need to cancel or significantly postpone a course, we’ll contact you as soon as possible and explain the options available. Where the course cannot go ahead as planned, any refunds or alternative arrangements will be handled in accordance with our Terms & Conditions.

Is there a minimum age for the course? Yes. Applicants must be aged 18 or over to begin Level 2 training. Level 3 is a progression course for those who have already completed suitable Level 2 or equivalent training. Because readiness for experiential counselling training cannot be judged by age or previous study alone, all applicants take part in a suitability conversation before a place is offered.