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BSc (Hons) - Psychology with Counselling and Psychotherapy

You have an enquiring mind and enjoy debating ideas, with a desire to listen to and support others. You will explore the human experience across a range of contexts and lifespans.

Discover everything you're capable of and develop the academic knowledge and practical skills you need to competently and compassionately help people explore their difficulties, express their feelings and work towards deeper self-awareness and understanding.

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Accredited by:

The British Psychological Society

Psychology with Counselling and Psychotherapy cover image

Course Overview

On this course, you will explore human experience across a range of contexts and lifespans, from understanding the biological basis of behaviour to questioning the impact of social media on child development. You will learn the academic knowledge and practical skills you need to help make a difference in the lives of others. You’ll learn from industry-expert tutors through lectures, seminars and other learning opportunities.

This course will help you to develop the knowledge and skills you need for a successful career in Psychology or Counselling/Psychotherapy. This standout course adheres to the training requirements of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Upon graduation, you will be eligible to apply for individual membership of the BACP and apply for registration, subject to passing the BACP Proficiency.

On this course you will...

Explore and apply psychological literature to current issues, contexts and experiences.
Develop key knowledge, skills and abilities to help you prepare for a career in counselling and psychotherapy or related psychotherapeutic professions.
Have the opportunity to choose topics and areas that you want to learn more about to tailor your learning experience.
Be taught and given high-quality support and guidance by our expert lecturing team, who are active in research and practices.
Have the opportunity to get involved in a range of extracurricular activities including sessions by experts in the field of psychology and counselling.
Benefit from our excellent links with regional and national charities, not-for-profit and penal institutions to gain work experience and enhance your job prospects.

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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
LocationCarlisle - Fusehill Street
Delivery StyleIn-person
Course DurationFull-time: 3 Years
Study Options Integrated Foundation Year
Start DateSeptember 2022
September 2023

For 2023 entry, apply using the UCAS Hub
AwardBSc (Hons)
More information Programme Specification
Prospectus

Minimum entry requirements

104-120

UCAS Tariff points

Tuition fees

£9,250

UK | Per year

£13,250

International | Per year

Course Structure

What you will learn

On this degree, you will learn about the key research, knowledge, skills and attributes needed to work within psychological and therapeutic settings. You will start by building your knowledge and developing your key skills through lectures, workshops and problem-based learning. You will explore the history of psychology, research methods and analytical techniques.

You will examine the wider issues around therapeutic diversity whilst gaining work experience within therapeutic settings allowing you to further advance your knowledge, skills and advanced counselling skills. An independent research project will allow you to explore a topic of your interest with your own research question.

Year one

You will build knowledge in the foundations of psychology, counselling and psychotherapy as disciplines and develop key skills through lectures, workshops and problem-based learning. You will build knowledge of the history of psychology, research methods and analytical techniques as well as start to develop key counselling, academic and professional skills.

Psychology in Action
An introduction to a range of theories and models from developmental, cognitive and biological psychology.
Introduction to Psychological Research Methods
An introduction to the nature of psychological enquiry and research skills.
Introduction to Data Analysis
An introduction to the processes involved in the analysis and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data.
Academic and Professional Skills
Begin working with others in a professional setting including covering issues of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Foundational Counselling and Coaching Skills
Develop basic counselling and coaching skills.
Counselling Skills: Preparation for Practice
Develop a range of basic counselling skills.

Year two

You will start to develop a more in-depth understanding of research, theory and practice and develop important research and practical skills. You will build on the foundation of the skills developed in year one and begin to understand wider issues around therapeutic diversity and start to gain work experience within a therapeutic setting.

Research Methods and Statistics
Become familiar with statistical techniques that deal with more than one independent variable at two or more levels, including within, between and mixed participant designs.
Development, Brain and Cognition
Explore the potential impact on human development and behaviour of a range of factors.
Social and Community Psychology
Apply theories of social psychology to understanding the experiences and behaviours of people within their community.
Work Experience
An opportunity start your supervised counselling practice.
Intermediate Counselling Skills
Develop a practical and professional understanding of ethical practice and decision making with attention to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework and relevant legislation.
Understanding Therapeutic Diversity
Develop a complex understanding of several therapeutic approaches (including the person-centred approach) and critically compare them.

Year three

You will undertake an independent research project that will allow you to explore a topic of interest and pursue your own research question. You will also be able to further advance your knowledge and skills through further work experience and advanced counselling skills.

Dissertation
Pursue an investigation on a topic of your own interest.
Individual Differences: Abilities, Personalities and measuring differences
An introduction to the nature of individual differences in human behaviour across a wide spectrum of human development.
Critical Psychology
Engage in a critical debate about the ideological basis of psychological knowledge, methods and applications.
Advanced Counselling Skills
Develop a critical theoretical awareness and professional understanding of the theories and experiences of psychological and emotional distress.
Work Experience 2
Another opportunity to start your supervised counselling practice.

Overview

This course's entry requirements are typically 104 - 128 UCAS tariff points.

Selection criteria

The potential to succeed can be measured in many ways including academic qualifications and skills obtained outside academic study such as work experience. We have a points range so we can take into account all of the information on your application form and adjust the offer from the evidence provided.

Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. Find out more about our Masterclasses here.

You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

A-levels: BBD – ABB

T-levels: (M - D) All subjects are accepted for entry to this course

Access to HE: 9 Credits at Distinction & 36 at Merit – 30 Credits at Distinction & 15 at Merit

X points from X number of Scottish Highers: 104-128 UCAS Tariff Points preferably from 4 Highers

X points from X number of Irish LC Highers: 104-128 UCAS Tariff Points preferably from 4 Irish Leaving Certificate Highers

Alternative routes: If don't think you'll meet the criteria for direct application to this course, check out our Integrated Foundation Year.

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to teaching. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this programme, and reflect upon any practical experience you have gained.

If you are offered a place, it will be subject to satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (DBS) and proof of qualifications.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives, and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here) and care leavers, offers will be made at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2022 - 2023

£9,250 - UK
£13,250 - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Funding

For further information about funding, please visit our undergraduate funding page.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000.

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books and Journals

The University library holds copies of core texts (including some as eBooks accessible online) and paper and/or e-versions of an extensive range of psychology journals. However, you may wish to purchase your own copies of books (new or second hand), in which case the following are recommended (although reviewed each year). A general introductory text to psychology will cover the main areas we teach in year one. For example, Kalat, J. (2017). Introduction to Psychology. (11th ed.). Alternatively, you may wish to read something specialised. For example, Oliver Sacks, The Man who Mistook his Wife for a Hat. Picador. or Sereny, G. (1995). The Case Of Mary Bell: A Portrait of a Child Who Murdered. There is not a prescribed reading list for the course and so book costs will vary to your preference. Unless a specific article is required from a journal the university does not subscribe to for a specialist research project then you should not need to purchase journal subscriptions.

Stationery

Stationery for your own personal use (pens, papers and folders, etc.). Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these. A Scientific Calculator is recommended for statistics classes £9-16. An academic diary (£5- £10 per annum) and a pen drive or other storage device (£10 - £20) are also recommended.

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Location
Carlisle - Fusehill Street Campus
The Fusehill Street campus has been the setting of life-saving treatments since World War I. Now, it's home to world changers, life-savers, crime fighters, and entrepreneurs with access to high-quality facilities and innovative thinking.
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BSc (Hons) - Psychology with Counselling and Psychotherapy