🎓 BACP Accreditation – Where We Stand
The UK Therapy Guild’s Level 5 Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy is a rigorous, practitioner-focused training course designed to prepare students for ethical, confident practice. While our course is not currently accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), this is not a reflection of its quality or eligibility—it is due to an ongoing, nationwide pause in BACP’s accreditation process.
BACP is currently overhauling its accreditation system to align with the national SCoPEd framework. Until this process is complete, no new training providers can apply for course accreditation. The new application process is expected to reopen in early 2026.
In the meantime, our course remains fully accredited by ACCPH and NCIP, and we continue to deliver structured training that meets and exceeds many of BACP’s known standards—including placement hours, ethical integration, and clinical supervision.
What This Means for You as a Student
Although BACP course accreditation is temporarily closed, you can still become a Registered Member (MBACP) after completing your training with UK Therapy Guild. The current route for graduates of non-accredited courses is well-established and supported by BACP.
Once you’ve completed your diploma, you will need to:
- Hold an active BACP membership (student or full member)
- Pass the Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) – a scenario-based multiple-choice test focused on ethical and professional judgement
The CoP test itself is free, but students must be paying BACP members to be eligible. Student Membership can be taken out once you begin your placement in Year 2 and is currently priced around £82 per year. Full membership costs apply post-qualification when applying for MBACP.
How We Prepare You for BACP Registration
At UK Therapy Guild, our Level 5 Diploma includes over 1,030 total hours of training – far surpassing the minimum required by BACP. We actively prepare students for professional registration through:
- Mock CoP-style practice quizzes in Year 2 to build confidence and familiarity with BACP’s testing style
- Structured supervised placements (100+ hours), including minimum 1:8 supervision ratio
- Placement logs, supervision records, CPD tracking, and reflective journals
- Face-to-face skills training (80% in person at our Millennium Centre)
- 20% online delivery focused on theory, ethics, and self-directed learning
- Full integration of the BACP Ethical Framework throughout the course content
This structured approach not only supports your personal and professional development but ensures you’re fully prepared for MBACP registration once eligible.
What About Full BACP Course Accreditation?
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) is currently undergoing a sector-wide review of its course accreditation framework. This means that, for now, no training provider – including UK Therapy Guild – can apply for new BACP course accreditation.
The updated scheme is expected to reopen in early 2026, with revised standards aligned to the SCoPEd framework and a stronger focus on inclusion, ethical rigour, and placement quality. We’re following the BACP announcements closely and will begin our application as soon as the scheme reopens.
In the meantime, we’re already meeting – and in many areas exceeding – the required benchmarks for accredited programmes, including:
- Level 5 training (above the Level 4 minimum)
- Over 1,000 total guided learning hours
- Robust assessment and tutor qualification frameworks
- Ethical and reflective integration across theory and practice
- In-person delivery of skills and assessed roleplays
We’re proud to support students in qualifying now while preparing our programme for full BACP accreditation when the opportunity becomes available.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re looking to begin your counselling journey or progress toward full BACP registration, UK Therapy Guild offers a course that’s structured, supportive, and designed with your future in mind.
Our accredited Level 5 Diploma not only meets professional membership standards with ACCPH and NCIP – it’s also carefully aligning with BACP requirements so that you’re fully prepared for registration when the time comes.
Have questions? Want to talk through your options? Call or WhatsApp us on 0151 272 1092 or email ad***@************ld.org.