Pathways to Level 4 Diploma and Level 5 Higher Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy

NCFE and educational professionals have said on multiple occasions that the qualification is closer to a Level 5 than a Level 4.  Therefore the recognition at Level 5 has been an ongoing project. While a number of changes have been introduced to bring about a level 5 qualification the previous Level 4 qualification was already 80% towards being a Level 5.

The new Level 4 has been slightly simplified. The questions (and required answers) are now a little easier. Level 5 keeps the previous questions and introduces extended reflective essays.

The course content is exactly the same for each level.  However, the content is able to be understood and applied at a number of different levels. Therefore it is in your understanding and application that the different levels become apparent and this is evaluated and demonstrated in your assessment. So while the course is the same, the understanding, application and assessment for Level 4 is different then for Level 5. 

The Level 4 is broadly equivalent to the first year of a degree and the Level 5 broadly equivalent to the second year of a degree.  So, firstly, decide which level of study you are comfortable with.  Then decide what you want to achieve from the course.  If you are seeking to set up in practice working with clients with low level, sub-clinical issues, then Level 4 will allow you to do this.  If you want to work with more complex, less defined issues that require more original thinking and a deeper grasp of theory and principles – then Level 5 will be more suited to you. And if you wish to progress with your studies and perhaps study at Level 6 or 7 (degree or Masters level) then the Level 5 may be more appropriate.

For many of you this is also about having recognition of your level of learning and skill. Many of you will want to have that recognition at Level 5 than at Level 4.

Below is the table outlining both academic and vocational qualification levels.

Vocational qualifications are concerned with real world application. We can think of this in terms of levels of knowledge, skills and intelligence to be able to solve various problems of increasing complexity.

Simple, clearly defined problems with simple “out of the box” solutions are at the lower levels.
Complex, poorly defined problems with multiple interacting factors (or multiple complex problems) are the higher end of scale.

Thus a Level 5 qualification requires the ability to identify and address more complex and less well defined problems with more interacting factors than a Level 4 qualification.

Our Diploma training programme teaches at many different levels and we have many people taking and using the information and learnings at Level 7 (Masters).

However we are only assessing at Level 4 and Level 5.

Level	Academic equivalent	Practical implications for vocational work in psychotherapy, counselling, hypnotherapy etc – level of “problem complexity”
3	A Level	Simple clearly defined problems with simple “out of the box” solutions
4	1st year undergraduate	Use practical, theoretical or technical understanding to address well-defined but somewhat complex problems. Address problems that are well defined and somewhat complex. Identify, adapt and use appropriate skills and methods. Review the effectiveness and appropriateness of methods, actions and results.
5	2nd year undergraduate	Use practical, theoretical or technical understanding to find ways forward in broadly defined, complex contexts. Address broadly defined, more complex problems. Determine, adapt and use appropriate methods and skills. Evaluate actions, methods and results.
6	3rd year undergraduate	Address problems that have limited definition and involve many interacting factors. Critically analyse, interpret and evaluate complex information, concepts and ideas Use and, where appropriate, design relevant research and development to inform actions.
7	Masters	Conceptualise and address problematic situations that involve many interacting factors. Reformulate and use practical, conceptual or technological understanding to create ways forward in contexts where there are many interacting factors. Critically analyse, interpret and evaluate complex information, concepts and theories to produce modified conceptions

A vocational course is a training programme which focuses more on practical work, rather than traditional academic exams. The ‘Vocational' part of the name refers to the fact that this course prepares you for a vocation – a particular skillset required in different types of jobs.

Yes you can.  The course content is the same.  It is the assessment that is different.  You can decide which level you wish to take, pay for that assessment and then complete the assessment.

Yes you can. The course content is the same. You will need to review the answers you have provided for unit 1, amend them according to the Level 5 questions and resubmit your amended answers. The requirement for case studies is the same although Level 5 students can complete more sessions with their case study volunteer.  This isn’t mandatory and the additional hours that are required can be gained with new volunteers.  There are additional essays required for Level 5, full details of the assessment can be found here.

Yes you can.  You can apply to pay the difference between what you have currently paid and the assessment fee for Level 5.  You can do that by following this link.

Yes you will need to attend additional supervision and this will be covered by your assessment fee.  You will need to attend 30 minutes of supervision for each additional volunteer client.  If your remaining 8 hours are completed with 2 additional volunteers you will need to arrange and attend an additional 1 hour of supervision.

Example of cases you could be working with:

Phobia at level 4: you will be confident working with a simple phobia such as an animal phobia where the client doesn’t experience anxiety elsewhere in their life.  At level 5: the client may wish to work on a phobia and has experienced their anxiety increasing into other situations no related to the phobia.

Habit reversal at level 4: you will be confident working with simple habits such as nail biting, teeth grinding. At level 5: the client may also be experiencing anxiety across a number of areas in their life a low level of self-esteem and a lack of confidence in their ability to address these issues.

Social anxiety at level 4: you will be confident working with mild social anxiety, lack of assertiveness, lack of confidence representing themselves, people pleasing rather than asserting.  At level 5 the client may also be reporting outbursts of anger when feeling threatened, a lack of control over emotions and displaying inappropriate behaviour, low self-esteem and sense of worth.

It is important that case studies are conducted with the permission of the volunteer client.  If you are currently working with or about to commence working with a client and can gain this permission then this is acceptable to continue. Using a client as a case study without their permission would be unethical and unacceptable by the college.  You will find the permission letter for all your volunteer clients in the Essential Learning module in Online Learning.

Please contact the team at assessments@ukhypnosis.com

All students need to attend 12 practise sessions as part of the overall assessment for the Diploma at level 4 and level 5.  These can be broken down as 4 per stage, giving you the opportunity to practise exercises and scripts learnt during that stage of the Diploma.