Our Qualification Framework
Understanding more about your qualifications and professional accreditation.
Making the pathway clear
Training in counselling and psychotherapy can feel complex, so here is how our qualifications fit together. Each one is recognised nationally and internationally.
TA 101
Introduction to Transactional Analysis
A two-day introduction to the core concepts of TA, and the recognised entry point into TA training. It is taught by a Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst, and your TA 101 Certificate is recognised by the TA associations (EATA, ITAA and UKATA) and accepted by TA training institutes worldwide.
Foundation Certificate in TA Theory
Stage One · 150 hours
A year of training, at weekends or on Fridays, assessed through short written reflections and a presentation. A standalone course for coaches, educators and managers, and the first year of our counselling and psychotherapy training.
Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling
SCoPEd Column A · accredited by the NCPS
Three years of training, with at least 120 hours of supervised client work and 120 hours of personal therapy, assessed by portfolio, case study and viva. Qualifies you as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor (Dip Couns).
Advanced Diploma in Adult Psychotherapy
Master’s Level · SCoPEd Column C
Four years of training, with at least 450 hours of supervised client work and 160 hours of personal therapy, assessed by an extended case study, an oral examination and a portfolio. Leads to UKCP registration through UKATA.
Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA)
Master’s Level · awarded by EATA
The international qualification in TA: 750 client hours, 150 hours of supervision, a 24,000-word written exam and an international oral exam. Also leads to UKCP registration, and to the teaching and supervision qualifications.
Not sure where to start?
Talk to us
Whether you’re new to TA, partway through training elsewhere, or already qualified in another approach, we can help you work out where you would join the pathway and what may already count.
The qualifications side by side
The minimum requirements for each qualification. Hours carry forward, so each column includes the ones before it.
| TA 101 | Stage One | Diploma | Advanced Diploma | CTA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 2 days | 1 year | 3 years | 4 years | 4 years or more |
| Training | Introduction | 150 hours | 450 hours | 600 hours | 600+ hours of TA training |
| Supervised client work | – | – | 120+ hours | 450+ hours | 750+ hours, 500 using TA |
| Personal therapy | – | – | 120+ hours, over 3 years | 160+ hours, over 4 years | 40 hours a year, for 4+ years |
| Assessment | None | 8 short written reflections and a presentation | Portfolio, a case study of 4,000–4,500 words, and a viva voce | Portfolio, an extended case study of 8,000–8,400 words, and an oral examination | A 24,000-word written examination and an international oral examination |
| Level | Entry | – | SCoPEd Column A | Master’s Level, SCoPEd Column C | Master’s Level |
| Recognised by | UKATA | Connexus, a UKATA Registered Training Establishment | The NCPS, on the PSA Accredited Register | UKCP, through UKATA | EATA, internationally |
| Then you can | Begin the training | Begin clinical training | Practise as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor | Practise as a psychotherapist, registered with UKCP | Use the title Certified Transactional Analyst, and go on to teach and supervise |
Frequently asked questions
What is the SCoPEd Framework?
The SCoPEd framework is a shared standards framework which has been developed and agreed by six of the major Professional Standards Authority (PSA) accrediting bodies including the UKCP, and represents over 75,000 counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK.
Do I have to be training as a therapist to take the Foundation Year?
Not at all. The Foundation Year is designed both for future therapists and for people in other professions who want to understand people and relationships more deeply, such as coaches, educators, managers, or anyone working in people-focused roles.
Do my training hours carry forward into the next qualification?
Yes. Every stage builds on the last. The hours you complete in the Foundation Year count towards the Diploma. Diploma hours contribute towards the Advanced Diploma, and all of these can also be counted when you move on to the CTA. Nothing is wasted.
Does this mean I have to decide from the start how far I’ll go?
Not at all. Many students begin with TA 101 or the Foundation Year simply out of interest. If you choose to continue later, the hours you’ve already done will still count. This gives you flexibility while keeping the pathway open.
How many personal therapy hours do I need?
For the Connexus Institute Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, you need at least 3 x 12-month blocks of 40 hours in ongoing therapy with a UKCP-registered psychotherapist (or equivalent). For the Connexus Institute Advanced Diploma / UKCP registration, you need 4 blocks of 40 hours.
Do my therapy hours have to match academic years?
No. Therapy hours are counted in 12-month blocks, but these don’t need to line up with academic years. Your training period runs from your enrolment at Connexus until you register with the relevant professional body, so you can choose the start and end dates of your blocks within that overall timeframe.
What’s the difference between the Diploma and the Advanced Diploma?
The Diploma qualifies you as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, while the Advanced Diploma, a Master’s Level professional qualification, enables you to register as a UKCP Psychotherapist.
How does UKATA fit into this?
Connexus is a Registered Training Establishment (RTE) of UKATA. For UKCP registration, your Advanced Diploma or CTA portfolio is assessed and endorsed through UKATA.
What is a portfolio approach?
Rather than one single exam, you build a portfolio of evidence (training hours, client work, supervision, personal therapy and written assessments), which is assessed as a whole to show you are ready to qualify.
Why consider the CTA route?
CTA status is internationally recognised and portable, showing you’ve reached advanced clinical competence. It not only opens the door to UKCP registration but also positions you for roles as a supervisor, trainer, and contributor to the wider TA community.