BA (Hons) Theology & Counselling
Cert., Dip., BA (Hons)
London School of Theology is the only institution of Higher Education in the UK, offering a unique, single honours Theology and Counselling programme, combining studies in Theology and training in counselling.
This programme is a BACP accredited course. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is the professional body for members of counselling professions in the UK. Successful completion of this programme will enable you to apply to become a BACP accredited counsellor.
Studying Theology and Counselling with London School of Theology provides students with the unique opportunity of learning alongside students and faculty from different denominations, and diverse backgrounds which truly enriches your experience of the programme. Personal spiritual growth comes not only through the taught programme, but also through the privilege of being part of a Christian community.
I would highly recommend this course for anyone who feels called towards counselling in their life. For me, it hasn’t just been a learning process of counselling skills and theological ideas, it’s also been a journey discovering more about myself and my theology, and I’ve grown so much along the way.
Programme Videos and Testimonials
Why Theology and Counselling?
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Key Information
Applications for the Theology and Counselling programme are invited at certificate, diploma or degree level. This programme can be studied full-time or part-time.
On-campus: Residential or non-residential. Lectures are timetabled Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm, delivered over three terms in two semesters from October-June.
Blended: All our undergraduate programmes, including BA Theology and Counselling, can be studied in blended mode, with Theology modules taken online.
The BA Theology and Counselling programme welcomes people from a wide age range of backgrounds, however, the majority of students are 25 years and over. We do consider applicants under this age, however, applicants will need to consider if they have sufficient maturity through life experience and aptitude before taking on the study of professional counselling or pastoral care. All persons must also demonstrate the capacity to work with people from diverse age, faith and cultural backgrounds.
Students enrolling for the Certificate, the Diploma or the BA Degree must demonstrate the ability to undertake an undergraduate programme of this nature successfully. This will normally mean two A levels plus three different GCSE passes at grade C or above (one GCSE must be English), or equivalent alternatives for students under 21.
Mature students (aged 21 and over) without these qualifications will be considered individually through an interview with the Counselling Team. If you do not meet the above entry requirements, please contact the Engagement Team who will help you to identify a suitable programme of study.
For full-time students it is expected that you will be able to commit around 40 hours per week to your studies.
Counselling students are required to be in personal therapy throughout the course (30 hours per year). In addition, in levels 5 & 6, they are required to see clients in a voluntary placement. This should be considered as a day a week of work throughout the year.
For students studying on campus lectures will take place between 9am – 6pm on Mondays to Fridays. This normally equates to around 12 hours of lectures and 30 hours of personal study time.
For students studying online, please note, the counselling modules are taught in person only. We recommend a commitment of 40 hours per week to enable you to complete the necessary work.
For part-time students, it is expected that you will be able to commit around 20 hours per week to your studies.
Full-time students are expected to complete the BA in 3 years. Part-time students are expected to complete the BA in 6 years.
The Theology & Counselling programme is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the main professional body for counselling in the UK.
This is the only Counselling programme with a Christian Worldview to meet the standards of their full professional scrutiny – and to that we add theological studies with teachers of world renown, in an institution with a long track record of providing the church in the UK and around the world with its future leaders. Academically, this programme is quality assured by Middlesex University and you will receive a Middlesex award on successful completion.
We can apply to Middlesex University for APL for you if you have already covered aspects of the Theology and Counselling programme. For instance, if you have already completed counselling training to Diploma level at another organisation, we may be able to apply for APL for you for most of the Counselling training at levels one and two.
The University usually imposes a time limit of five years on this – i.e. you will probably not be able to apply for APL on the basis of courses or training taken more than five years before you begin the course with us. We need to show the equivalence between what you have already done and what our course requires.
Every case is different, and we can talk about your individual circumstances when you come for interview. We cannot formally apply for APL for you until you have been accepted onto the course.
The Theology & Counselling programme requires all students to undergo their own personal therapy sessions in order to develop the self awareness and reflexivity they need to best relate to potential clients.
Personal therapy is important because one can only take their client as far as they’re willing to go themselves. Therefore, although it can be tough, it puts one in place of their clients so they can relate to them at more than just surface level.
Students are required to do 30 hours of therapy in each year of their course with an experienced therapist who works in a way that is compatible with the integrative framework taught at LST. All personal therapists must be approved by LST lecturing staff.
Costs vary widely. Some therapists can offer student counsellors a place for as little as £20 a session, while others may charge upwards of £70-£80 a session. Generally, the price set by a therapist is related to how much demand there is for their services and their personal costs and overheads etc. Students’ past experience tells us that cost is not indicative of quality, and many very good therapists have low-cost slots for students. Please note that the cost of personal counselling is not included in tuition fees.
Personal counselling is different to pastoral care and consequently students cannot use their pastor as their counsellor – counsellors must be cleared by the tutor.
All BACP registered therapists are required to be in Clinical Supervision to support and underpin their client work.
In levels 5 & 6, students are required to do 120 hours of client work in a voluntary placement. They must be in supervision when they are seeing clients. Supervision is to be completed in Levels 5 & 6 (or whenever one has their own clients) and can cost up to £60/hour. Supervision hours should equate to one hour of supervision per six hours of client work. The cost of supervision is not included in the course fees.
Students are required to find their own supervisors (although some placements provide supervisors at no cost). Supervisors must be adequately qualified and trained to supervise the work being done by students and so must be approved by your lecturer.
The residential weekend is best described as a weekend away where students are invited to participate in a deepening self-awareness that extends the group process they have been on already.
The cost of this one weekend per year is included in tuition fees (except travel costs). Attendance is compulsory as the time goes towards relational growth hours. The date for the residential is available from the admissions team.
What you will study
Level 4 (First year of full-time study)
In your first year, you will study three complementary strands of theological thinking: Biblical Studies; Christian History, Doctrine and Theology; and Christian Life, Ministry and Mission.
The Level 4 modules you will study are:
- New Testament Introduction
- Old Testament Introduction
- Introduction to Doctrine
- Introduction to Theology
- Relational Theory 1
- Relational Practice 1
- Relational Growth 1
Level 5 and 6 (the second and third year of full time study)
In your second year, two-thirds of modules are compulsory and one-third are optional. At Level 6 (your final year), one-quarter of the content is compulsory. So, as you progress through the degree, there are more choices of modules you can take to shape the degree according to your interests and calling.
Some examples of Level 5 and 6 modules you will study are:
- Jesus & the Gospels
- Genesis, Prophets & God
- Person & Work of Christ
- Relational Theology
- Relational Theory 2
- Relational Practice 2
- Relational Growth 2
- Person & Work of the Holy Spirit
- Integrative Project
- Relational Theory 3
- Relational Practice 3
- Relational Growth 3
The BA Theology and Counselling programme is quality assured by Middlesex University and you will receive a Middlesex award upon completion.
Programme Documents:
Theology and Counselling Student Testimonials:
Ike Odina
Theology & Counselling Programme Leader
My hope for students on this programme is that they go out into the world of Psychotherapy & Counselling and, like Jesus, heal and support those who need emotional support. Be prepared to embark upon a journey of discovery: spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially.