Updating Results

The University of Notre Dame Australia

  • 2% international / 98% domestic

Bachelor of Counselling

  • Bachelor

The Bachelor of Counselling at The University of Notre Dame Australia offers a comprehensive program combining theoretical knowledge and practical experience to prepare students for a career in professional counselling. Students will develop skills to address various client needs, including trauma, addiction, and relationship concerns, supported by expert guidance and real-world learning opportunities.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Duration
3 - 8 semesters full-time
Course Code
3543, 035277D
Study Mode
In person
Intake Months
Feb, Jul

About this course

Overview

Do you see yourself supporting individuals, couples, and families through life's challenges? At The University of Notre Dame Australia, our Bachelor of Counselling prepares you for a fulfilling career as a professional counsellor. Across three years of study, you'll gain a strong theoretical foundation alongside practical, hands-on experience. You'll develop the skills to work with a wide range of client needs, including trauma, addiction, grief and loss, and relationship concerns. With expert guidance and real-world learning opportunities, you'll graduate ready to make a meaningful difference in people's lives while navigating the demands of a dynamic and evolving profession. Discover how Notre Dame can support your journey towards becoming a professional counsellor.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Entry requirements WA

Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly - your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

  • Applicants with recent Secondary Education
    • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 70
    • International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 25
  • Applicants with Higher Education
    • Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*
    • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP
  • Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study
    • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
  • Applicants with Work and Life Experience
    • Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:
    • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.
    • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 135 in the Multiple Choice section and 140 in the Written English section*.
    • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.
  • Discipline Specific requirements
    • Admission into the Bachelor of Counselling requires submission of a personal statement outlining applicant's motivations and demonstrating suitability to study counselling as per accreditation requirements (including self-awareness, capacity to relate to others and an understanding of ethical behaviour).

Entry requirements NSW

Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly - your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

  • Applicants with recent Secondary Education
    • Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank*
    • Equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) score
  • Applicants with Higher Education
    • Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*
    • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP
  • Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study
    • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
  • Applicants with Work and Life Experience
    • Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:
    • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.
    • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 150 in the Multiple Choice section and 150 in the Written English section*.
    • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.
  • Discipline Specific requirements
    • Admission into the Bachelor of Counselling requires submission of a personal statement outlining applicant's motivations and demonstrating suitability to study counselling as per accreditation requirements (including self-awareness, capacity to relate to others and an understanding of ethical behaviour).

Study locations

Sydney

Fremantle

What you will learn

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Counselling graduates will be able to:

  1. Evaluate theoretical perspectives of counselling and associated peer-reviewed literature to determine case-appropriate counselling practices
  2. Differentiate the various stages of human development to determine their implications for counselling
  3. Assess presenting issues and their causes, develop therapeutic alliances and implement appropriate interventions by using effective counselling skills
  4. Communicate effectively, in a range of contexts
  5. Apply standards of the profession when working with clients and colleagues; and
  6. Demonstrate professional skills, operating individually and collaboratively as required.

Career pathways

Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors. Careers available to graduates include youth workers, trauma counsellors, drug and alcohol counsellors, and family counsellors.

Course structure

Program summaryYear One
  • ABOR1000 Aboriginal People
  • ARTS1000 Academic Writing, Communication and Research
  • COUN1002 Formation of the Professional Counsellor (Milestone 1)
  • COUN1003 Theories and Approaches to Counselling
  • COUN1004 Counselling Skills Training 1
  • COUN1005 Introduction to Personal and Professional Ethics (Foundations of Formation)
  • PSYC2170 Lifespan Development
Year Two
  • COUN2001 Formation of the Professional Counsellor (Milestone 2)
  • COUN2002 Counselling Skills Training 2
  • COUN2003 Counselling Skills Training 3
  • COUN2004 Counselling and Children
  • COUN2005 Grief and Loss Counselling
  • COUN2006 Counselling Adolescents
  • COUN2007 Trauma and Addiction Counselling
  • COUN2008 Mental Health
Year Three
  • COUN3001 Formation of the Professional Counsellor (Milestone 3)
  • COUN3002 Placement and Supervision A
  • COUN3003 Placement and Supervision B
  • COUN3005 Counselling Older People
  • COUN3006 Counselling Couples and Families
Core Curriculum
  • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and/or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and/or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

Credit for prior study or work

Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).