Counselling Courses in Oxford:
The Definitive Guide

Looking to start or advance your career in counselling?

Explore the counselling training options available in Oxford with our comprehensive guide.

Whether you’re just beginning or working towards full qualification, we cover everything you need to know to find the right course for you.

Start your counselling journey in Oxford today!

1. Counselling in Oxford
2. Qualifications available
3. Oxford course providers
4. Classroom Vs Online
5. Why choose Connect?

1. What does counselling in Oxford look like?

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Thinking about training as a counsellor in Oxford? Get the insider’s guide to counselling training in this historic and vibrant city! Discover what to expect, the opportunities available, and how to take the next step in your counselling career.

Oxford is an excellent city to train and work as a counsellor, thanks to its diverse community, strong mental health support networks, and dedication to improving wellbeing in the area. With a variety of opportunities to gain experience across different organisations and client groups, Oxford provides a fantastic environment for those looking to make a real impact through counselling.

Let’s explore some key reasons why Oxford is a great choice for counselling training and career development.

Oxford faces significant mental health challenges, with statistics indicating a higher prevalence of issues compared to national averages. Notably, the city has seen a rise in severe mental health cases, particularly among young people, including elevated rates of depression. This underscores a pressing need for qualified counsellors who can make a meaningful impact in the community

Oxford places a significant emphasis on mental health and well-being, with various initiatives and organisations dedicated to supporting the community. The Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership is a collaborative effort to enhance mental health services, bringing together six local organisations, including the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Oxfordshire Mind, to improve access and outcomes for those facing mental health challenges.

The Oxford City Council actively promotes mental well-being through initiatives like the Five Ways to Wellbeing, which encourages residents to adopt practices that enhance their mental health. Additionally, the council’s Community Impact Fund supports various local groups focused on mental health, such as the Leys Community Development Initiative, aiming to improve mental and physical health and reduce isolation among different age groups.

These efforts not only create numerous opportunities for qualified counsellors but also establish a robust support network and abundant resources for professionals working in the mental health sector in Oxford.

Oxford offers a diverse array of counselling opportunities, catering to various client groups and therapeutic approaches. Whether you’re interested in supporting young people, couples, or individuals, numerous organisations and charities in Oxford provide counselling services to a wide demographic. Here are some notable examples:

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust: This NHS trust delivers comprehensive mental health services, including counselling, to adults and young people across Oxfordshire.
Relate Oxfordshire: Specialising in relationship counselling, Relate offers support to couples and individuals facing relationship challenges.
The Listening Centre: A local charity providing free counselling and psychotherapy services to individuals over 18, addressing a range of mental health concerns.
Oxford Counselling Centre: Established in 2013, this centre offers a confidential service with a team of highly qualified therapists providing psychotherapy, trauma therapy, couples counselling, and more.
University of Oxford Counselling Service: Offers counselling and support to students, addressing issues such as anxiety, stress, and personal challenges.

These organisations represent just a fraction of the mental health services available in Oxford. The city also hosts various private practices and support groups dedicated to enhancing mental well-being within the community. For those interested in pursuing a career in counselling, Oxford provides a wealth of training opportunities, (which we will explore further below!).

Reading CPCAB Level 4 Course – September 2025

Enrolment for our Reading-based CPCAB Level 4 course is now open!

Become a qualified counsellor in two years with our part-time course, consisting of 60 live sessions spread across two years.

Learn more about our Reading course

2. What qualifications are available to me?

So, if Oxford feels like the right place for you to begin your counselling journey, what opportunities are available to help you get started?

Before getting started, let’s clarify the difference between what’s required and what’s recommended to work as a counsellor in Oxford.

Counselling in the UK is not legally regulated, meaning that, in theory, anyone could call themselves a counsellor without formal training. However, to ensure the safety and well-being of both clients and practitioners, it’s strongly recommended to gain a recognised qualification. Proper training equips you with the skills to handle complex and sensitive issues, and almost all employers and clients seek counsellors who hold qualifications accredited by a professional body.

So, where does that leave you?

In the UK, there are two main professional bodies for counselling, both of which offer accredited qualifications. Oxford has training providers offering recognised courses that align with these standards. Let’s explore these organisations and what they offer.

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

The BACP is the largest professional body for counsellors in the UK, setting high ethical and practice standards for the profession. Becoming a BACP member is a valuable credential, helping you gain credibility with both employers and clients.

To qualify for BACP membership, you must meet specific requirements, including completing a recognised core counselling course. One common pathway is through CPCAB-accredited courses, which provide structured training that aligns with BACP’s professional standards.

Using CPCAB qualifications as an example, here’s the typical level of training required to become a BACP member:

CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills – 170 hours total qualification time
CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies – 196 hours total qualification time
CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – 1,204 hours total qualification time

There are multiple training providers in Oxford that offer BACP-accredited counselling courses. Stay tuned—we’ll explore the specific options for counselling training in Oxford in the next section!

The National Counselling Society (NCS)

The National Counselling Society (NCS) is another key professional body for counsellors in the UK. Like the BACP, joining the NCS requires meeting specific training and qualification criteria.

There are several NCS-accredited counselling courses available in Oxford, but only one provider currently offers the Level 4 qualification needed for full NCS membership. We’ll cover these options shortly.

At Astranti Connect, we believe that the BACP pathway is the stronger choice for most aspiring counsellors. You can find out why in our definitive guide to counselling qualifications.

Other Options

If you’re interested in learning counselling skills for personal development or to enhance another professional role—such as teaching, healthcare, or management—without the intention of becoming a qualified counsellor, there are additional training options available in Oxford.

Several individuals and organisations offer short counselling courses, some of which provide recognised qualifications that could later contribute to BACP or NCS accreditation if you decide to continue your studies. However, some courses are not accredited, so it’s essential to check their credibility, as there’s no guarantee of their quality or recognition within the profession.

3. Oxford counselling course providers

There are several counselling course providers in Oxford, and the best choice for you will depend on your career goals, interests, and the type of counselling you wish to pursue.

Let’s explore the key options available.

Universities and colleges

Oxford boasts a variety of institutions offering counselling courses, each catering to different educational preferences and career goals. If you’re aiming to immerse yourself in student life and engage in a range of extracurricular activities, universities and colleges in Oxford provide diverse counselling programmes.

The University of Oxford’s Department for Continuing Education offers several programmes in psychodynamic counselling:

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Psychodynamic Counselling: A one-year, part-time course introducing psychodynamic theory and practice.
Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Psychodynamic Practice: A two-year, part-time course integrating theoretical knowledge with clinical experience.
Master of Studies (MSt) in Psychodynamic Practice: An advanced course focusing on clinical work and research methodology.

For a more hands-on approach, the City of Oxford College provides a Foundation Degree in Counselling, covering Levels 2 to 5. This programme emphasizes practical skills and real-world application, ideal for those seeking immersive training.

These examples highlight the diverse counselling training opportunities available in Oxford, each offering unique benefits to suit various learning preferences and career aspirations.

Specialist providers

Oxford is home to several specialist counselling training providers, focusing exclusively on counselling and mental health education. These providers often offer smaller class sizes, greater tutor interaction, and strong local industry connections, making them ideal for those looking for a supportive and immersive learning experience.

Here are some key specialist providers in Oxford:

Oxford Counselling Training – Offers CPCAB-accredited Level 2 and Level 3 courses, providing a foundation for further qualifications.
Counselling & Psychotherapy Training Academy (CPTA) – Delivers CPCAB-approved training from Level 2 to Level 4.
Chrysalis Courses – Provides part-time counselling and hypnotherapy training at Oxford Brookes University.
Astranti Connect – saving the best for last, we offer CPCAB-accredited counselling courses from Level 2 to Level 6. Our closest hub is our Reading centre, but if you require more flexibility, our online training hub might be the best option for you!

4. Classroom vs Online: what should you choose?

This is a great question! Just like selecting the right qualification and training provider, the best study format for you will depend on your career goals in counselling.

If your aim is to join a professional counselling body, both the BACP and NCS have strict requirements, including the need for a substantial portion of your training hours to be completed in person.

Returning to the CPCAB pathway to BACP membership, the Level 2 and Level 3 courses can be taken online. However, for the CPCAB Level 4 Diploma, at least 75% of the training must be delivered in person.

This means that if you plan to apply for BACP or NCS membership, you’ll need a course that offers a mix of online and face-to-face learning—or fully classroom-based training if you prefer. Be cautious when choosing a provider, as some offer online-only Level 4 courses, but these do not meet the requirements for BACP or NCS membership.

Another important factor to consider for BACP and NCS membership is that any online courses must be live—delivered via platforms like Zoom—so that you can interact with tutors and fellow students in real time. This ensures that you develop the practical counselling skills needed, as professional bodies do not accept self-directed, pre-recorded courses for accreditation.

So, what are the pros and cons of choosing an online-only course versus a blended online-and-classroom counselling course?

Advantages of online counselling training:

Increased flexibility
Not just limited to local courses
Potential reduced costs

Disadvantages of online counselling training:

Potential for Technical difficulties
Possible distractions
Some social interaction may be lost
You need to be careful choosing the right online course

Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when deciding between online-only, classroom-based, or blended counselling courses. The best choice depends on your learning style, lifestyle, and career goals, so it’s important to pick a format that aligns with your needs.

For more details on this topic, take a look at our definitive guide to online counselling courses.

5. Why join a Connect course?

So, why do we think you should study with us?

We have experienced tutors

Connect tutors are all qualified counsellors with experience in teaching. Many are also practising counsellors and, when they aren’t teaching our classes, they continue to work with their own clients. Our tutors have a wealth of relevant, real-life experience and strong ties with the local counselling community.

We specialise in counselling

We have over 15 years of experience in counselling training and, unlike universities and colleges which offer a broad range of courses, our expertise and knowledge are focused on a small number of subject areas.

We are a national provider with centres across the country

If you’re not set on completing your counselling courses in Bristol, but you’d like to take part in one of our classroom counselling courses, we also have counselling hubs in Devon, Wiltshire, Norwich, Sheffield and Manchester. This also means you don’t have to be tied to one area throughout the course of your studies! We also have online options for Levels 2 and 3 and our post-qualification courses, offering additional flexibility. You can check out our full range of courses here.

We have a high Trustpilot rating

We are renowned as a high-quality training provider, as you can see from our excellent Trustpilot rating and reviews!

We have limited class sizes

Both our online and in-person courses have a maximum size of 16-18 people. This offers a great balance between plenty of tutor interaction and support and working and practising with a diverse range of people.

You will get access to our online community

We have an active online community, allowing you to learn from other students and support each other in your studies.

Our students must pass pre-course assessments

This helps to ensure our courses run as smoothly as possible, and you can rest assured that you and your fellow students are well-suited to the course.

We provide courses for Levels 2 to 6

This means once you pass one course, you can move on to another! Completing our Levels 2, 3 and 4 courses sets you up to apply for BACP membership to become a qualified, professional counsellor.

Our CPD Seminar Subscription comes free with our CPCAB courses

Twice a month our own tutors or expert guest speakers host live online seminars, each focusing on a new interesting topic in the world of counselling. From ‘Exploring Sexual Diversity’ to ‘What Star Wars Can Teach Us About Right and Wrong’, there’s something for everyone.

When you join a Connect course, you’ll have access to our live seminars and full bank of recorded sessions for the duration of your course.

Our Connect Courses

No matter whether you prefer classroom-based or online learning, we have a range of courses to fit your needs!

At our Reading hub, we offer the following in-person courses:

Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

Fast-track to Level 3

Fast-track to Level 4

All of our courses are CPCAB-approved, and completing the Level 4 Diploma provides a recognised pathway to BACP membership. Additionally, it contributes to the CPCAB Open University Foundation Degree, giving you the option to graduate with a degree upon completing your studies.

If you’re looking for more flexibility, we also offer live online courses for Levels 2 and 3, with both daytime and evening options available. Remember, these courses can be completed fully online as long as they are live and interactive. However, for Level 4, the majority of your training must be classroom-based to meet BACP membership requirements!

Once qualified, we also offer a Level 5 Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and Level 6 Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling Supervision – because why stop there?

And if you’re unsure about completing your counselling training in Oxford, we also have hubs across the UK, including Devon, Liverpool, Glasgow, London, Edinburgh, Sheffield, and Manchester. Explore our full range of courses here.

Want to talk to someone about your next course options?

If you have any questions about Astranti Connect’s counselling courses in Reading, you can have a free 1-2-1 call with one of our Connect student advisors!

Head to your relevant course page below to book yours:

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Counselling Courses in Oxford:The Definitive Guide