Diploma in Counselling Skills
| Study Level | Level 3 |
| Duration | 1 Academic Year |
| Study Mode | Part-time |
| Start Date | September 2026 |
You could go on to work in a range of areas, including children and families services, adult social care, mental health, safeguarding, community work, or specialist roles supporting people with disabilities, substance use, or involvement in the criminal justice system. Social work is a diverse profession with opportunities to grow and specialise throughout your career.
Choosing Bradford means learning in a city that reflects the diversity and complexity of real-world practice. Our strong relationships with local employers and placement providers ensure your learning is relevant, current and grounded in practice. You will benefit from direct input from experienced social workers, including guest lectures and masterclasses that bring real cases and professional insight into the classroom.
Our teaching team combines academic knowledge with extensive frontline experience, supporting you to bridge theory and practice from the start. By the time you graduate, you will not only understand social work—you will be ready to step into the profession with confidence and purpose, and eligible to apply for registration with Social Work England.
Our Facilities
At Bradford College, our Social Work facilities are designed to prepare you for real-world practice. You will learn in modern teaching spaces that support interactive learning, group work and professional discussion—reflecting the collaborative nature of social work.
Our dedicated learning environments allow you to develop key skills such as communication, assessment and decision making through role play, case-based learning and simulated practice scenarios. This helps you build confidence before entering placement.
You will also have access to digital resources and online platforms that mirror those used in professional settings, supporting skills in recording, report writing and evidence-informed practice.
With strong links to local employers, your learning extends beyond the classroom. Guest lectures, masterclasses and input from experienced practitioners ensure you are exposed to current practice, preparing you for a wide range of roles across children’s services, adult social care, mental health and community settings.
Dedicated Learning Environments
Develop key skills such as communication, assessment and decision making through role play, case-based learning and simulated practice scenarios
Our Courses
Our courses are delivered in partnership with
Our Alumni
With the support I received from [Bradford College] I felt that this is the right place for me to stay and continue with my degree because it became like a home to me from the first day I went to Bradford College for enrolment. I felt at home, I felt a different atmosphere, I felt comfortable.
Adeline Fogui Tchana
BA (Hons) Social Work Alumnus
The really special thing about the course is that it's actually transformative. It's not just about learning some stuff and getting a certificate at the end of it. It transforms you as a human being because you have to look into yourself in order to be a counsellor in order to understand psychology.
Frazer Ormandroyd
BA (Hons) Counselling and Psychology in Community Settings
Career Outlook
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Bradford College Honours Higher Education Students at Annual Graduation Ceremony
5 monthsA remarkable 373 higher education students gathered at The Life Centre on Thursday (20th November) to take part in the 2025 Bradford College graduation ceremony. This is the first year that all Bradford College higher education students attended the same graduation, making it the largest ceremony ever held to date. The annual event brought together […]