While there is no specific minimum academic entry requirement, a good general level of education, sufficient to enable course members to deal with theoretical learning and to write required assignments, is necessary. Prior study, training or supervised experience in counselling or related subjects is an advantage. It is useful, though not essential, for trainees to be in situations where they draw on counselling skills in their normal occupations whether professional or voluntary. Applicants must be at least 23 years of age (as at 1st October 2009).

In the allocation of places to applicants priority will be given to those who wish to undertake the entire year of training through all four modules, and to apply for the Diploma programme in due course. Suitable applicants who wish to apply for only certain modules will be offered places subject to availability. APL may be applied for by those who have already completed one or more COSCA modules, or who can demonstrate that they have reached the equivalent standard. Such persons would be eligible to join the course at or after the end of Module One.

The maximum number of trainees on the course will be 18. Applicants will be selected on the basis of written application forms, references and interviews which will assess applicants' motivation and potential for using to advantage the experiential style of learning which the course will employ. The course Directorate reserves the right to cancel the course if there are too few applicants.

Those who are considering applying for the Counselling Skills Course are welcome to make further enquiries to the Course Director or Course Administrator by telephone. If there is sufficient demand it may be possible to arrange an Open Evening to enable further enquiries to be raised in a group context.

Assessment will principally be ongoing self-assessment by the trainees, based on their personal growth in skills, knowledge and self awareness as attested by their Learning Journal, their satisfactory participation in the skills practice sessions, and completion of a written assignment for each module. Subject to certain aspects of confidentiality as outlined below (in the paragraph 'Orientation and Methodology'), course staff will also contribute to the assessment process.

Use of audio taped and/or video taped skills practice interactions will also be part of the assessment.

Trainees are accepted on the contractual basis that the course directorate reserves the right to require any trainee to withdraw from the course in the event of unsatisfactory progress.