ACT COSCA Prospectus 2025/2026 : simplebooklet.com

INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS COSCA CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELLING SKILLS(COSCA FULL VALIDATION), SCQF LEVEL 8ACT Counselling and Training Services Ltd have been successfully delivering the COSCA Certificate inCounselling Skills since 2015. Our course is COSCA fully validated, and credit rated by SQA at SCQF level8 with 40 credits. This course fulfils the minimum entry requirements for many Diplomas in Counselling across Scotland,including our own Diploma in CBT and Groupwork SCQF level 11 (120 Credits)As a standalone course it is a fantastic way to enhance communication skills in general or indeed in anycurrent role that potential participants undertake. Furthermore, the COSCA Certificate in CounsellingSkills has the potential to change participant’s lives due to the significant self-awareness aspect that itcontains. The COSCA Certificate does not lead to a qualification that allows you to practice counselling, however isconsidered by most organisations as a recognised and recommended pre-requisite for anyoneconsidering taking further study to become a qualified counsellor/psychotherapist. The course will be directed by Dr Claire Monaghan. Claire is a COSCA Accredited Counselling Skills Trainerand CBT Therapist. The Course Tutors are all Qualified and Practising Therapists who are either AccreditedCOSCA Trainers or working towards this. On average over the last year 115 students have successfully gained their Counselling Skills CertificateQualification with us.

Page 3

DURATIONEvening Course (40 weeks) 6.00pm - 9.00pm for 10 weeks per moduleDay course (20 weeks) 9.30am - 4.30pm for 5 weeks per moduleThe course contains 4 modules and there is a 2 week between between modules. The modules can becompleted as standalone modules, however it is recommended and encouraged that participantscomplete modules 1, 2 3 and 4 consecutively or if spacing them out, within a 3-year period. FEES The total cost of the COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills is £1400. To secure your place on the course,we require a completed application form and payment of a £200 non refundable deposit. ACTCounselling and Training Services Ltd are willing to provide course participants with the opportunity topay the remainder of the course fees (minus SAAS payment of £402 if applicable) via interest free monthlyinstalments. Please note: Progression on to the next module is not permissible if you have outstanding fees from theprevious module. All COSCA balances must be paid in full 4 weeks prior to the course finishing. FUNDING FROM WORKPLACEIf your work are funding your place on the course, we will email an invoice to your workplace and requestyour deposit/payment is paid no later than 2 weeks prior to the course start date.

Page 4

STUDENT AWARDS AGENCY (SAAS) FUNDING ACT Counselling and Training Services Ltd are registered for SAAS funding and if you meet the eligibilitycriteria below you may get £402 paid towards your course fees:Are resident in ScotlandMeet the general residence conditions and Earn less than £25,000 per year and can provide evidence of this.Further information for part time funding grant from SAAS: https://www.saas.gov.uk/part-time/undergraduatefundingIf your application is successful SAAS will pay approx £402 towards your COSCA Course fees. Your funding will be paid directly to ACT and deducted from your total fees. If you think you are eligible for funding, please apply directly to SAAS via their online application service. PAYMENT PLANS Interest only payment plans can be made throughout the duration of your course. Following your £200deposit payment, 10 monthly instalments for our evening course and 6 monthly instalments for our daytime course. Monthly payments are due on 1st of every Month. Please see attached links for evening and day course payment plans. SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS Please ensure that the information contained in your application form is detailed and extensive asselection is based on the quality of the application form. If your application is successful the admin teamwill email you offering you a place on the course and request your £200 non refundable deposit is paid tosecure your place on the course.

Page 5

ATTENDANCE/TIME COMMITMENTEach module consists of 30 hours of teaching. The learning is a mixture of lectures, small and large groupdiscussion, Skills Practise triads and a written assessment at the end of each module. You will be requiredto write 1000-2000 words at the end of each Module to consolidate your learning. Participants must plan for 100% attendance, as COSCA require participants to attend a minimum of 85%of teaching to successfully complete all 4 modules, therefore you must be committed to this prior toenrolment. Planned absences must be discussed in advance with your tutor to ensure attendance criteria will bemet. If you need to miss a class due to emergency then you will be expected to write 500 words on the unitsyou miss.WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COURSE Should participants decide to leave before the course starts we will not be able to refund your £200deposit paid. For withdrawals during the duration of the course, it is expected that the course fees arepaid in full or monthly instalments continue to be paid until the course fees are cleared. This will allowfor a return to complete the course at a future date at no additional cost. DISCONTINUATION OF PARTICIPANTSDiscontinuation from the course may occur when participants fail to meet the minimum attendancerequirements, or if participants fail to meet the assessment requirements to successfully pass eachmodule. No refunds are will be given if participants need to leave due to attendance or unsuccessfulcompletion of competencies achieved for each module.

Page 6

TIMETABLESJune 2025 - Nov 202520 Week Course (Friday day)FACE TO FACEApril 2025 - March 202640 Week Course(Wednesday Evenings)FACE to FACEAugust 2025 - July 202640 week course (Tuesday Evenings) ONLINE via ZoomFULL TIMETABLE CLICK HEREFULL TIMETABLE CLICK HEREFULL TIMETABLE CLICK HEREOct 2025 - Sept 202640 Week Course(Monday Evenings)FACE to FACEFULL TIMETABLE CLICK HEREJan 2026 - Aug 202620 Week Course(Friday day)FACE to FACEFULL TIMETABLE CLICK HERE

Page 7

INTEREST FREE PAYMENT PLANSPAYMENT PLANCLICK HEREApril 2025 - March 202640 week course (Wednesday Evenings) FACE TO FACEPAYMENT PLAN CLICK HEREAug 2025 - July 202640 Week course (Tuesday Evening) FULLY ONLINE VIA ZOOM June 2025 - Nov 202520 week course (Friday day) FACE TO FACEPAYMENT PLANCLICK HEREPAYMENT PLANCLICK HEREPAYMENT PLANCLICK HEREJan 2026 - Aug 202620 week course (Friday day) FACE TO FACEOct 2025 - Sept 202640 week course (Monday Evenings) FACE TO FACE

Page 8

Don’t just take our word for it....here’s what some past students say....“I would highly recommend this course because it is a great introduction to Counselling andbeneficial in so many ways”“The course facilitators have been excellent. They set the tone appropriately for the wholecourse and created a safe space, provided great feedback that was constructive andhelpful” “I wholeheartedly recommend this course at ACT. Its practical utility extends beyond mycareer, impacting my personal growth positively. I have already shared my positiveexperience with others, emphasizing the course’s dual benefits in professional and personalspheres”

Page 9

Don’t just take our word for it....here’s what some past students say....“The course was amazing, it focuses heavily on skills practice, which is key to development ofknowledge, understanding and self-awareness”“I have recommended this course to a friend. I’m amazed by how much i seem to be carrying thiscourse with me in my daily life and can see how useful it is in terms of future career pursuits.Even if I were not pursuing counselling I can see that the possibility for growth and the listeningskills we learn are a useful tool for anyone as better communication can never be a bad thing. Ithink that my self-awareness is constantly growing and although it is something i try and work onoutside of the course, at this point it is impossible to separate the two and i know that my self-awareness is growing particularly thanks to the nature of this course. I also really just love thesense of calm that i have in doing the course”

Page 10

QUESTIONS & ANSWERSQ. Do i need any qualifications to apply for COSCA Counselling Skills course ?A. No, you do not need any formal qualification, however a level of academic writing is required tocomplete assessments. Q. Can i become a Counsellor on completion of COSCA Counselling Skills ?A. No, on completion of the COSCA Counselling skills Certificate you can not practice as a counselloryou would need to complete our Diploma in CBT and Group Work to be qualified as a CBT Therapist. Q. Can i get help with the cost of the course ?A. SAAS funding is available if you meet the criteria. ACT also offers interest free monthly payment plans which can be paid over 6 months for the 20 weekcourse and 10 months for the 40 week course. Q. Does the COSCA course meets the entry requirements of MSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy?A. Yes the COSCA course meets the entry requirements- 40 hours of counselling skills practice in triads- teaching of basics of person-centred counselling - use large or tutor groups for processing.Q. Can i transfer between Courses? A. Transfers between courses will not be available at any point during the application process or oncethe course has started so please ensure you pick the most suitable course for you. Exceptionalcircumstances will be reviewed by the Academic Director.

Page 11

FURTHER INFORMATIONYou can find out further information by accessing the following links on COSCA’s website:COURSE OUTLINEhttps://www.cosca.org.uk/application/files/4215/7891/6293/Course_Outline_for_counselling_skills_jan_20.pdfCOSCA GENERAL INFORMATION LEAFLEThttps://www.cosca.org.uk/application/files/2715/7908/8680/COSCA_Counselling_Skills_leaflet_Jan_20.pdfCOSCA PATHWAYS TO BECOMING A COUNSELLORhttps://www.cosca.org.uk/application/files/1916/8474/9354/PATHWAYS_TO_BECOMING_A_COUNSELLOR-_current.pdfETHICS AND CODE OF PRACTICEThe course is underpinned by COSCA’s Statement of Ethics and Code of practice. You can view this document at https://www.cosca.org.uk/application/files/1915/2119/7097/Statement_of_Ethics_CURRENT_Nov_1412-08-14.pdf

ACT COSCA Prospectus 2025/2026

Page 1

Page 2