Psychology and Counselling (with Placement Year)

As more young people and adults seek mental health support, the demand for expert help has never been greater. Now you can explore the rapidly growing career opportunities in this specialist field by taking our Psychology and Counselling degree. It’s ideal if you’re interested in working with people facing difficult circumstances, with the course introducing you to the world of therapeutic practice.

As the course combines both psychology and counselling, you’ll have the experience of two different disciplines. With further study, you can go on to become a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist.

The skills you develop, including how to interact with and listen to people, will also be very useful for a wide range of other roles. It could include becoming an education support worker, wellbeing mentor or working within the care system.

We offer a very practical and supportive approach, which will take you through the theory side and then enable you to put it into action using real life scenarios.

You will learn about different psychological theories, including cognitive behavioural therapy, person-centred and psychodynamic therapy. You’ll also develop a real understanding of ethics and what it means to the counselling world.

The course includes a focus on each student’s own personal development. Feedback from students shows they learn so much about themselves through this journey. You will also work in a skills group, with the chance to take on roles as the counsellor and client.

During your studies, you’ll have access to our fantastic Science Centre facilities, such as our observation and counselling suites, cognitive research cubicles, simulation machines and psychophysiology equipment.

The degree is accredited by the BPS (British Psychological Society), which means you can undertake postgraduate training to become a professional psychologist.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling

Year One Core: Adventures in Psychology 1; Adventures in Psychology 2; Becoming a Researcher 1: Quantitative Methods; Becoming a Researcher 2: Qualitative Methods; Core Counselling Skills; Pathways in Psychology and Child Development
Year Two Core: Developmental and Biological Psychology across the Lifespan; Exploring Difference: A Quantitative Approach; Theory and Application of Qualitative Research Methods; Counselling Theory, Ethics and Personal Development
Year Two Optional: People Behaving Badly: The Psychology of Social issues; Psychology of Social Perception; Psychology Research Assistantship
Year Three: Placement
Year Four Core: Child Psychology: Theory to Practice; Personalised Psychology Portfolio; Psychology Project; Personal and Professional Perspectives in Counselling
Year Four Optional: Advanced Quantitative Research Methods; Behavioural Medicine; Children and Pictures; Health Psychology; Neuropsychological Disorders; Parapsychology and Anomalous Experiences; Psychology of Oppression and Empowerment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.