CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (CST-L3)

When:  Week commencing 21st September 2026

Course Days:

Mondays 13.15 - 17.15 - Mondays 17.30 - 21.30 - Thursdays 17.30 - 21.30

Guided learning hours: 120 Hours

Fees £1760

Fees are inclusive of CPCAB candidate registration and Payment Plans are available upon request

Please note a £450 non refundable deposit is required to secure your place.

Course details and entry requirements · Application form · Funding

The dates above describe the published 2026 intake. Check current availability with the Academy before applying.

Location, travel and access information

Funding Sources

Applicant feedback

“Banbury Academy is amazing, I am very happy that I can continue to study here.”

Level 3 Applicant1 September 2023

“I am really excited to be doing my level 3 and look forward to developing my skills with the Academy.”

Level 3 Applicant1 July 2024

Course overview

What is the aim of this course?
Level 3 Counselling Studies is a robust and ethical course, led by professional and experienced counsellors & tutors who will encourage and support you to continue to examine and develop your personal awareness while also building an awareness of the historical richness and breadth of therapeutic theory.
Who is the course for?
For students who achieved the Level 2 Counselling Skills Certificate, who might choose to progress to the Level 3 Certificate, where you will be introduced to Counselling Theory and Practice.

As well as continuing to develop the skills you learned on Level 2, you will be introduced a number of different theoretical approaches to counselling and learn about working with counselling agencies. As part of this qualification you can volunteer to work for an agency in a non-counselling capacity. Students work in small teaching groups, typically about 12 students, with our tutor team of experienced counsellors.

The academic year will be structured in 3 terms with Christmas, Easter and Half Term breaks.

Successful completion of this course will qualify you for entry onto our BACP-approved Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.
What are the Qualification Units?
The Qualification units are as follows:

  • Prepare to work within an ethical framework for counselling
  • Understanding the counselling relationship
  • Understand difference and diversity issues to develop empathic understanding
  • Work within a user-centred approach to counselling
  • Use counselling theory to develop selfawareness in counselling practice
  • Understand theories of counselling and mental health
  • Use feedback, reflection and supervision to support counselling studies

Assessment is by candidate portfolio and an externally assessed written paper.

For more information on the content and expectations of this course, please visit the CPCAB website.
What is the progression?
Successful completion of this course will qualify you for entry onto our BACP-approved Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling.
What are the entry requirements?
You must have obtained the CPCAB CSK-L2 Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills or its equivalent. (Distance learning courses which do not involve skills practice or groupwork with fellow students are not equivalent).

You do not have to wait till the end of your current course to apply for this training, but your acceptance on a next-level course will be conditional on the successful completion of the prerequisite qualifications by course-start.

A computer and access to the internet is necessary for you to engage with the course.

We regret that the training venue has no lift and students will need to use the stairs.
What are the term dates?
The academic year is structured in 3 terms with Christmas, Easter and Half Term breaks.
How much will it cost?
Fees are £1760 - Fees are inclusive of CPCAB candidate registration.  Payment Plans are available upon request

Please note: a £450 non refundable deposit applies

For more information on sources of funding see - Funding sources

Affordable Payment Plans are available. Please state on your application form if you would like to arrange a flexible way to pay.
How do I apply?
To apply, Please complete our online application form below. Applicants will be invited to attend an interview with a member of the tutor team.

Term Dates

The academic year is structured in 3 terms with Christmas, Easter and Half Term breaks.

Application Form

Please watch our Level 3 overview video which highlights what the CPCAB Level 3 Course entails, before applying using the form below…

Once completed a member of our team will be in touch

Financial Support

For those experiencing financial constraints, the Banbury Counselling Academy is committed to inclusivity and so we offer flexible payment plan options to those who need them. We also offer several bursaries for those wishing to access our courses (subject to availability). We hope this flexibility will help us increase the numbers of those under-represented in the counselling and psychotherapy professions. Click here to find out more.