Course Organisation

Course Organisation and Structure

Training with the National College may be undertaken on a part-time basis by combining weekend attendance for practical tuition and lectures at one of the tuition venues, together with a programme of home study, the ideal method for students with domestic and/or work commitments.

Each weekend consists of some eleven hours of practical instruction in the application of therapeutic techniques, combined with lectures on the various theories involved. Starting at 10.30am each day and finishing at 5pm, allowing for breaks, gives approximately 154 hours of class contact for the whole three stages of the training up to Diploma level.

In order to provide students with the sound theoretical basis on which all therapies are established, post-foundation stages of the course also include studies of various schools of psychological thought. These theoretical studies are presented in the form of lectures and guided home reading supported by comprehensive notes. The National College also stocks a selection of text books which students may purchase, both for general interest and to help them with their studies.

The total number of study hours required to complete the course varies depending on what prior knowledge a student brings to the course. However, monitoring of past students' study patterns suggests that for a student with little prior knowledge of hypnosis, psychotherapy or psychology, total study hours up to UKCP registration level may amount to 1,200 hours over a four year period. This total includes class contact and supported self-study, but does not include the time spent on written examinations, supervision or self-therapy.

The supported self-study includes the following aspects:-

• Home study of course notes
  
  
• Background reading
  
  
• Practical exercises outside class
  
  
• Essay research/writing
  
  
• "Exam" revision
  
  
• Dissertation research/writing
  

The training is in three stages and the course outlines which follow are, of necessity, generalised. The courses are subject to continuous evaluation and alteration. The National College reserves the right to make any alteration to the course deemed necessary by the Academic Board.

It should be noted that successful completion of one stage does not, of itself, guarantee admission to the next.