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BSc (Hons) - Psychology with Counselling and Psychotherapy

Do you have an inquiring mind and enjoy debating ideas, with a desire to listen to and support others? On this psychology with counselling and psychotherapy degree, you will explore the human experience across a range of contexts and lifespans.

Our BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling and Psychotherapy will enable you to discover everything you're capable of. You will develop the academic knowledge and practical skills needed to competently and compassionately help people explore their difficulties, express their feelings and work towards deeper self-awareness and understanding. What’s more, our psychology courses are ranked 1st in the North West and 11th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2023 Results).

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Accredited by:

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The British Psychological Society

Course Overview

On this degree programme, 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.

Studying psychology with counselling and psychotherapy at the University of Cumbria 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...

  • Have the opportunity to explore and apply psychological literature to current issues, contexts and experiences.
  • Develop key knowledge, skills and abilities to help you prepare to become a counsellor or psychotherapist, or develop a career in related psychotherapeutic professions.
  • Be able to choose topics and areas that you want to learn more about to tailor your learning experience on your psychology degree.
  • 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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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.

Attend an Open Day at Cumbria

An Open Day is your opportunity to explore one of 5 campuses, meet your lecturers, and find out how the University of Cumbria could become your new home.

Take the next step towards achieving your dreams.
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