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Psychology with Counselling BSc(Hons)

2024-25 (also available for 2025-26)

It’s not too late to apply for September.
It’s not too late to apply for September.

Start date

16 September 2024

Duration

3 years full-time

Entry requirements

A Level - BBB-BBC

BTEC - DDM-DMM

See full entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

70

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. Enhance your studies by using specialist equipment in our psychology and counselling labs. You’ll use our electroencephalogram (EEG) system (which monitors brain activity), an eye tracker, biopsychological testing systems, and a specialist polygraph. Our counselling labs are fitted with microphones, so you can test your skills by acting out scenarios, before receiving detailed feedback.
  2. This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), and you’ll be able to apply for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership if you graduate with a Lower Second Class Honours or higher and complete the empirical psychology project.
  3. You’ll be taught by psychology and counselling lecturers who are experts in several fields and have a wide range of specialisms. 

This undergraduate Psychology BSc(Hons) degree combines the theory of psychology with practical counselling approaches, helping you build the skills required to help people in need. This includes people who have lost someone, gone through a distressing unpleasant experience, or battled an illness.

We’ll look at the science of mind and behaviour – the Psychology side of the course, and at the different types of Counselling approaches. You’ll explore a wide range of techniques, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), person-centred psychology, and psychodynamic therapy.

You’ll also explore health and wellbeing in day-to-day life, and how to support other people. The course has an applied focus, looking at the theory and practice of counselling and psychology.

Why study Psychology with Counselling BSc(Hons)

Accredited by the British Psychological Society, you’ll be able to apply for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership if you graduate with a Lower Second Class Honours or higher and complete the empirical psychology project.

You’ll be taught by psychology and counselling lecturers who are experts in several fields and have a wide range of specialisms. They are focused on supporting you, and we have a dedicated Transition and Progression Tutor, who will help you adapt to studying psychology at degree level. Many of our lecturers are members of our Centre for Cognition and Neuroscience, and produce world-leading research in this field, so you’ll be taught by people at the cutting-edge of their discipline.

Some of our final-year optional modules are partly taught by professional clinical and forensic psychologists. You’ll also be guided by specialists in subject areas, including biopsychology, developmental psychology, personality and individual preferences, and counselling psychology.

You’ll use equipment, such as an eye tracker, biopsychological testing systems, and a specialist polygraph, via our labs, while our counselling labs are fitted with microphones, to allow you to act out scenarios to put your skills to the test.

The course aims to broaden your skills and experiences to ensure you are attractive to potential employers. You may decide to enter the world of work post-university or explore the subject of psychology and counselling further by extending your studies. This may see you focusing on everything from CBT to person-centred counselling, developmental psychology, biopsychology and psychodynamic counselling.

Not quite ready to start Psychology with Counselling BSc(Hons)? Successful completion of our Social Science Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree will equip you with the foundation knowledge to study Psychology with Counselling.

Course detail

Core modules:

Child Development

You'll study the major perspectives and methodologies in child development. The module focuses on applied settings such as education, the mental health system, the criminal justice system and the wider social world. You'll consider how developmental concepts have influenced the work of professionals in understanding development. The module will also help you in your transition to studying at degree level.

Introduction to Cognitive and Biological Psychology

You'll be introduced to theoretical approaches and debates in cognitive and biological psychology, as well as analytical research skills using quantitative methods. You'll carry out research in our laboratories to identify and explain internal mental processes and biological factors that underpin behaviour.

Introducing Counselling Skills and Process

You'll be introduced to a range of helping skills and qualities and to a structured model of helping. You'll have the opportunity to practise your helping skills and receive feedback from tutors and peers.

Introducing Counselling Theory

You'll be introduced to the main counselling theories (psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural and person-centred) and explore how they relate to helping skills within the Egan model of helping. You'll explore the counselling theories using exercises and case studies in order to develop an understanding of the different approaches.

Introduction to Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods

This module will introduce you to research methods and data analysis in psychology. It provides the opportunity to develop both a theoretical understanding and practical skills. It covers key research issues, methods and data analysis in both quantitative and qualitative approaches. You'll also gain experience as a participant in several research projects.

Introduction to Social Psychology and Personality

In this module you will study Personality and Social Psychology. The module addresses three important questions. How do psychologists study personality? How do psychologists study individual and group behaviours, such as attitudes and language? Is Personality best understood as originating in constitutional or social factors?

Entry requirements

BBB-BBCat A Level .

120-112 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications.

Merit at T Level

DDM-DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

  • Any NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 subject provided it equates to 120 UCAS points.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
  • 120-112 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications.

In addition you must have Level 2 Maths or Numeracy or GCSE Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme.

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Social Science Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages. If you have alternative qualifications or do not meet the IELTS requirement we also offer a range of Pre-Sessional English Programmes.

You may be eligible to gain accreditation for your prior learning towards this course.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

Your career


Previous Huddersfield Psychology graduates have gone on to work in education, healthcare, research, business and public services in organisations including the NHS, The Kirklees Dementia Hub, UK Home Office, Reed in Partnership, Practice Plus Group, BBT Group Ltd and Holmfirth High School.**

 

*Percentage of graduates from this course who were in work and/or further study within fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020/21, including both UK and non-UK domiciled, other activities excluded).

**LinkedIn.

90% Graduates employed*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Human and Health Sciences, which provides you with support in a variety of areas. These include:

Student Hub: a one stop shop for students, studying within the School. Their services include offering advice on extenuating circumstances, extension requests, course progression, suspension and welfare support, organising appointments with academic staff and signposting to other support networks.

Academic Skills Development Team: support students to develop their academic skills and build their confidence in order to improve their grades. The team provide support with academic skills including essay writing, being critical, reflective writing, numeracy, research skills, presentations and group work skills; as well as personal development for example time management.

Learning Technology Support Unit: helps students with any problems they experience with the University’s Brightspace Learning System, including logging on or difficulties experienced when accessing and using modules, and with the PebblePad platform, which is used by students when they go out on placements.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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