St Mary’s University is celebrating the first cohort of students to complete an integrated counselling qualification within its BSc Psychology with Counselling degree, marking the successful first year of a partnership with the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB).
The students have received their Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies following the successful completion of an intensive 96-hour module delivered over 12 weeks in the first year of their degree.
St Mary’s is the first university in the UK to embed the CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies. The approach brings academic psychology and professional counselling training together, giving students the opportunity to develop practical skills alongside their academic studies.
Developed in partnership with CPCAB, the module integrates the requirements of both Level 2 and Level 3 counselling training, enabling students to achieve the nationally recognised Level 3 Certificate without completing separate Level 2 and Level 3 courses.
The qualification develops students’ skills in active listening, empathy, communication, self-awareness and ethical practice, complementing their academic understanding of psychology and providing a foundation for further professional training.
Dr Silvia Riva, Joint Course Lead for BSc Psychology with Counselling, said “We wanted to bring psychology and counselling training closer together, giving students the opportunity to develop practical and reflective skills alongside their academic knowledge. Seeing our first cohort achieve this qualification is a wonderful milestone and gives them a valuable foundation for further learning and professional development.”
The integrated approach also provides students with different pathways for their future careers. Alongside their British Psychological Society (BPS)-accredited psychology degree, which provides a foundation for further training in areas such as clinical and counselling psychology, students now have the opportunity to progress directly into professional counselling training.
Dr Marcelle Fernandes Holder, Joint Course Lead, said: When Silvia and I developed the programme, we wanted to open up different professional pathways for our students, whether through further training in psychology or progression directly to professional counselling training. Seeing our first cohort receive their certificates was incredibly rewarding, particularly knowing how much they have grown in confidence over the past year. We are very proud of what they have achieved.”
During a recent visit to St Mary’s, CPCAB representatives celebrated the cohort’s achievement and described the students as pioneers in completing the qualification through this integrated approach.
Natalie Lister, CPCAB Counselling Qualifications Professional, said, “It has been an absolute pleasure working with St Marys University and their year 1 BSc Undergraduate students. They are the first students in the UK to be awarded with the CPCAB CST-L3 Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies embedded into the Psychology with Counselling Undergraduate Degree programme.
The faculty staff have been dedicated to the programme and to see the development in the students over the course of the year has been touching and satisfying. The welcome which we experienced when we met the students again in October was inspirational and we look forward to working with the university, staff and students for many years to come.
The lecturers and student cohort of 2025 – 2026 have been the pioneers of this project and their efforts and commitment have paved the way for those who follow.”
The successful completion of the first year marks an important milestone for the programme and its partnership with CPCAB, demonstrating how professional training can be integrated into undergraduate study to support students’ academic development and future career ambitions.
Find out more about the BSc Psychology with Counselling at St Mary’s University.