Psychology with Counselling (with Placement Year)

The science of wellbeing with this hands-on Psychology with Counselling degree

You’ll investigate psychological theories, research, and counselling practices. You will study topics like:
• counselling approaches
• counselling skills and the therapeutic relationship
• counselling assessment
• applied child psychology
• neurodiversity
• psychopathology and deviant behaviour.

We’ll combine cutting-edge research with practical training, helping you excel in your studies and your career.
You will have the option to achieve a CPCAB-accredited Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills Qualification – the second-to-last step in becoming a professional counsellor.

A practical, careers-first Psychology with Counselling degree
Our Psychology with Counselling course is hands-on. With SMU, you’ll attend workshops, guest talks, and field trips led by professionals from the mental health and counselling sectors. You can complete exciting work placements through multiple modules.
• Counselling Skills in Action: you will gain supervised hands-on experience in local community settings such as charities, care homes, and educational settings.
• Contributing to the Community: here, you’ll focus on community-based work and can help local mental health or community support services.
• Experience and Employment in Education: you can gain experience in education settings.

A small university, a strong support network
Even though we’re a London university, we’re a small one. SMU’s a community. With small classes, you’ll get more – and meaningful – time with research-active lecturers and counselling practitioners. Therefore, we ensure personalised attention and mentoring throughout your counselling course. We’re:
• 1st in London for Academic Support (National Student Survey (NSS), 2024)
• Top 5 nationally for Academic Support (NSS, 2024)
• Top 10 in the country for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024).

Hear from our students
Emily, BSc Psychology - "My time at St Mary’s has given me a chance to really be sure of myself and acquire confidence. I lived on campus in my first and second year, which let me be independent and was a really nice transition into adulthood."

Modules
In first year, you are introduced to cognitive, behavioural, social and developmental psychology as well as counselling. You will also start to develop your research skills and knowledge of statistics.
In second year with core modules, you will continue to develop skills learnt in first year and with optional modules you will be able to choose areas of psychology you might want to specialise from education to sport.
In third year you will have even more control over your studies and will be able to tailor your course to you by choosing optional modules in specific areas depending on what interests you. You will also do an independent research project.

About the Placement Year
A placement year enables you to undertake a year of experience in an organisation between your second and final year.

It will enable you to:

• apply the knowledge and skills you gain from your course in a work setting

• build your commercial awareness and insights into organisations and industries you might want to work in

• develop your professional skills through company training, networking skills and confidence in the workplace

• get some great experience for future job applications or even land a graduate job.

Support from St Mary’s every step of the way
Please note: in the event that you cannot secure a placement you will be able to transfer onto the three year version of your degree programme.

Why St Mary’s?
You will gain skills and support to make a positive impact – for yourself and for others – through high-quality teaching, real-world experience, and a community that lifts each other up. Our campus is a London oasis – blending city energy with open green spaces to think, connect, and grow.