Starting Counselling Training in September: What You Need to Know

September is the most common start point for counselling training in the UK. Most providers, including The School of Counselling, run their main intake in September, with courses beginning in the autumn and running through to the following summer.

If you are thinking about starting counselling training this year, now is the time to find out what is involved, how to apply, and what to expect in your first cohort.

Why September Is the Main Intake

Counselling training follows an academic calendar. The September intake aligns with the start of the academic year, which matters because the CPCAB qualification pathway is structured around defined learning periods with assessments, placements, and progression points built in.

Starting in September means you complete your first level alongside a cohort who began at the same time. You progress through the course together. The group dynamic that develops across a year of training is one of the most significant parts of the experience, and it works best when the cohort starts and finishes together.

The School of Counselling also offers both November and January starts at Level 2. If September does not work for your circumstances, November and January are a genuine option rather than a compromise.

What Happens at the September Intake

For CPCAB Level 2, the September intake typically means your first session falls mid September. The course then runs weekly through to the following May or June, depending on the format.

In the first few sessions you will meet your cohort, establish the group contract, and begin the foundational skills work. Most students describe the early weeks as both unfamiliar and immediately engaging. Assessment begins from the start of the course, not at the end. There is no final examination. Your portfolio of evidence builds across the full year of training.

How to Apply for the September Intake

Applications for the September intake typically open in the spring, with most places filled between April and July. If you are reading this in May or June, the window is open now.

The application process at The School of Counselling involves an initial enquiry, a short application form, and an admissions interview. The interview is not a formal examination. It is a conversation to explore whether the course is the right fit for you at this point in your life, and to give you the chance to ask the questions that matter to you.

Places are offered on a rolling basis as applications come in. Waiting until the summer reduces your chances of securing a place on your preferred cohort.

What to Expect in Your First Cohort

A Level 2 cohort at The School of Counselling typically has between eight and twelve students. The group is deliberately kept small because the relational quality of the learning depends on everyone being genuinely present with each other.

Students come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some are considering counselling as a career change. Some are working in roles where counselling skills are directly relevant. Some are in their twenties. Some are in their sixties. The diversity of the group is part of what makes the training rich.

Sessions run for approximately three hours. They are delivered live via Zoom at a scheduled time each week. Attendance is expected. The group forms around consistency, and missing sessions affects not just your own learning but the cohort's experience as a whole.

Is September the Right Time to Start?

Starting in September is right for you if you are ready to commit to the training now. That means attending weekly sessions consistently across an academic year, engaging in the personal development work the course asks of you, and completing the assessed elements across the course.

The people who get the most from the September intake are those who arrive with genuine curiosity and a readiness to be changed by the experience. The training will challenge your assumptions about helping, about people, and about yourself. That challenge is the point.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the September counselling training intake start?

The September intake at The School of Counselling typically begins in mid September. The exact date varies slightly by cohort and format. Contact the school directly or attend an open day to confirm dates for the current intake.

Can I start counselling training in September with no prior experience?

Yes. CPCAB Level 2 is designed for people with no prior counselling qualifications. No academic background in counselling, psychology, or related subjects is required. The September intake is open to anyone who meets the basic entry requirements and is offered a place following the admissions interview.

How do I apply for the September counselling intake?

Begin by making an initial enquiry through the school's website or by attending an open day. You will then complete a short application form and be invited to an admissions interview. Places are offered on a rolling basis, so applying earlier in the year gives you the best chance of securing your preferred cohort.

Is there a January intake as well as September?

Yes, and more. The School of Counselling offers five intakes a year including both September and January intakes at Level 2. If the September start does not fit your circumstances, the November or January intake is a genuine alternative with the same course content, the same qualification, and the same quality of training.

The School of Counselling offers CPCAB-accredited Level 2 counselling training with September, November, January, February, April intakes. Open days run regularly throughout the year.