It depends on what type of counsellor you want to be, what I mean is:
a) Counselling psychologist have degrees, so you'll have to check with the University what they want.
b) CPCAB counsellors just need level 2 English and some may want Maths (depending which year you are in - there are 4 levels to qualify and then extra years to specialise in CBT etc). Those who pass this qualification still need to pass the assessment accreditation by the BACP.
c)BACP may need the same as the CPCAB.
You can get a degree as a counsellor, but it takes longer using the CPCAB route. The levels go from 1-7 with the later being a supervisor/teaching grade.
The BACP takes 3 years but is something like £15K, with a few places doing it (but is considered better), while the CPCAB is cheaper at £9K but you still need accreditation by the first. Another problem is that I don't think the BACP direct route may not give financial aid.
The CPCAB is studied at most adult educational colleges, where the BACP is done through specific centres like Inter Psyche. The BACP is the governing body for both, thus the curriculum is the same for both - the CPCAB is just an awarding body.
Thus I suggest:
1. Think about the type of counsellor you would like to be in basics, you just need to know if you want to go down the psychology route or not. If yes for psyche then go that direct route and don't bother with the other, as the curriculum doesn't cross over, and University is the best route. If you were a qualified counsellor you would still need to do the full 3 years of psyche, with no years cut off.
2. If you want to do non psychology then go down the other route which asks for less qualifications.
so psychology you need your GCSEs and A Levels or equivalents, for the CPCAB just level 2 life skills.
NB Psychologist get better paid but the course is normal university prices so £27K
Psychologist study the clients behaviour, while counsellors listen and empathise with the clients emotions in the most part.
PS I'm a CPCAB Trainee Counsellor, doing my level 3 qualifications.
PPS Level 1 - isn't really needed but lasts 1 year - intro
Level 2 - lasts 1 year and is a must - skills
Level 3 - lasts 1 year and can only be done if you have level 2 -theory
Level 4 - lasts 2 years and can only be done if you have level 3, After 4 you are a qualified counsellor - case assessments, 100 volunteering plus 60 hours counselling which you have to pay for.
Level 5, 6,7 I think are 1 year each.