Open University

BSc (Honours) in Psychology with Counselling

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this degree, you will have knowledge and understanding of:

• The core domains and concepts within psychology and counselling as specified by the relevant professional bodies
• The types of evidence and research methods used in psychology and counselling
• The importance of ethical issues in the practice of psychology and counselling
• How psychological theories and research are applied in practical or professional contexts, particularly within counselling practice.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Construct arguments with appropriate use of psychological concepts, theories and evidence
• Interpret and evaluate the contributions of different kinds of evidence and research methods
• Engage with and justify research questions and hypotheses, using psychological theories and evidence
• Design and carry out research projects, and analyse and interpret the findings.

Practical and professional skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Employ evidence-based reasoning and examine practical, theoretical and ethical issues, particularly about counselling practice
• Communicate knowledge and/or findings appropriately for particular audiences
• Plan and conduct appropriate psychological investigations
• Identify and prioritise tasks and adhere to a schedule of work.

Key skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

Communication

• Select, summarise, synthesise and reference appropriate information from different psychological sources, including primary texts
• Present written material in a coherently organised form, with arguments and information in a logical sequence and communicated effectively in a variety of forms.

Application of number

• Work with data and to interpret tables, graphs, diagrams and bar charts
• Manipulate and analyse data.

Information technology

• Process, prepare and present information using computers
• Use information technology to search for and access electronic resources.

Learning how to learn

• Develop independent learning skills.
• Develop an ability to work collaboratively
• Monitor and reflect on personal progress, using feedback and identifying own strengths and weaknesses.

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• You’ll start Stage 1 by choosing one of three options – an introduction to psychology and counselling, the social sciences or to health sciences. You’ll follow this with your first core psychology module.
• At Stage 2, you’ll study two modules focusing on counselling and mental health, plus a second core psychology module.
• Finally, at Stage 3, you’ll take an applied approach to the study of counselling and forensic psychology, and complete your degree with a third core psychology module.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll start your degree with one from:

• Exploring psychological worlds: thinking, feeling, doing (D110)
• Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)

You'll complete Stage 1 with:

• Encountering psychology in context (D120)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Exploring mental health and counselling (D241)
• Investigating Psychology 2 (DE200)

Stage 3 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Counselling and forensic psychology: investigating crime and therapy (DD310)
• Investigating Psychology 3 (DE300)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

As well as specific knowledge and skills in psychology and counselling, this degree course will help you to develop transferable and work-related skills that are highly valued by employers.

• Communication
• Numeracy
• Effective team working
• Independent and critical thinking
• IT and data handling
• Analysing and evaluating diverse sources of information, including qualitative and quantitative data
• Designing and carrying out research projects, and presenting findings
• Problem-solving and reasoning
• Application of learning to real-world problems and situations.

Career relevance

This degree is relevant to a broad range of careers, including those within the health and social care system, and organisations in the statutory and voluntary sectors. Knowledge of human behaviour, counselling and related ‘people skills’ are recognised by employers as real assets in working with individuals and teams. You’ll gain a theoretical basis in counselling as well as a broad understanding of psychology that will prepare you to work in a variety of ways with a diverse range of people.

Please note that this psychology degree with a specialism in counselling theory does not qualify you to practise as a counsellor, psychotherapist counselling or clinical psychologist. To work therapeutically with clients requires further training – for which this degree is excellent preparation. For example:

• Counselling psychology is a branch of chartered psychology with its training route. The first step is a BPS-accredited psychology degree like this one.
• Counselling – if you are interested in a career in this area you will need to do professional training in counselling with practice-based elements. In partnership with the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB), we offer a Diploma of Higher Education in Counselling (W09) and a Foundation Degree in Counselling (X09).

Other careers

As a graduate of psychology and counselling, you’ll have an impressive breadth of knowledge and skills that are highly attractive to employers across a wide range of fields. These include:

• Advertising
• Marketing
• Education
• The health professions
• Human resources
• Management
• Research.

Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.