
BSc (Honours) in Psychology with Counselling
Online United Kingdom
DURATION
3 up to 6 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
09 Jan 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 21,816 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* total cost; part-time at a rate of 60 credits is £3,636 per year
Key Summary
Introduction
Psychological therapies are rooted in psychological understanding, so this degree provides a strong foundation in psychology with a specific focus on how counselling works and how it can help people change. You’ll consider how counsellors and psychologists use theories and evidence to contribute to debates about how we understand mental health conditions, diagnosis and treatment options, and how psychology is critical to understanding mental health, relationships, education and employment.
Key features
- Covers the key concepts, theories, methods and debates in psychology and counselling
- Gives you an appreciation of different perspectives within psychology and the ability to evaluate them critically
- Explains how psychological theories and research are applied in practical or professional contexts, particularly within counselling practice
- This can be the first step towards professional accreditation as a psychologist.
Accessibility
Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, and we have a comprehensive range of support services. Our BSc (Honours) Psychology with Counselling uses a variety of study materials and includes the following elements:
- Online study – most modules are online; some have a mix of printed and online material. Online learning resources could include websites, audio/video, and interactive activities
- Using and producing diagrams and screenshots
- Finding external/third-party material online
- Specialist software, such as SPSS software for statistical analysis
- Mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
- Group-work
- Practical work
How long it takes
- Part-time study - 6 years
- Full-time study - 3 years
- Time limit - 16 years
Program Outcome
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.
Curriculum
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.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
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.
Program delivery
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.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.