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Psychology with Counselling BSc(Hons)

Places available in clearing. Find out more.
Places available in clearing. Find out more.

Overview

This undergraduate Psychology with Counselling 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)

We're 24th in the UK (2nd in Yorkshire) for Psychology, in the Guardian League Tables 2025.

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.

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

Entry requirements

To find out if you’re eligible to start this course in September 2025 and get more information on how to apply, please see our Clearing pages or call our Clearing Helpline on 0333 987 9000.

If you’re interested in studying this course in September 2026, please view the 2026-27 course information.

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?

Core modules:

Advancing Counselling Skills

You'll study advanced counselling skills, by working in small groups to explore the use of an integrative model of counselling. You'll aim to demonstrate the use of advanced skills in a practical assessment. You'll also produce written work reflecting on your own skills development, drawing on your knowledge and understanding of the theory underpinning the model used.

Advanced Theories of Counselling

You'll have the opportunity to build on your knowledge of broad counselling perspectives developed in Year 1, by exploring in greater detail different approaches to counselling. This may include examining cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, humanist-existential, systemic and constructionist approaches. You'll critically reflect on the implications of these differing perspectives for practice.

Cognition; Brain and Behaviour

In this module you'll be supported to develop a critical understanding of cognitive and biological explanations of human behaviour. You'll explore a diverse range of topics including psychopharmacology, behavioural genetics, memory and human perception.

Developmental Psychology and Professional Development

In the developmental psychology part of the module you'll be supported to build on your knowledge of human development across the lifespan in a variety of contexts. You'll learn about different methodological approaches to studying human development and how to critique them. In the professional development part of the module, you'll reflect on your personal and professional skills development and how psychology-related skills can be used beyond university.

Psychological Research and Data Analysis

Through this module you'll be supported to further develop your knowledge of research design and analysis. You'll explore analysis of variance, multiple regression, factor analysis, discursive analyses, phenomenological analyses and ethics.

Social Psychology and Personality

You'll be supported to build on your knowledge of social psychology and personality psychology through lectures and seminars. You'll consider some of the key issues we face in our world today, including crowds and social conflict, group processes and identity and close relationships.

Core modules:

Integrating Counselling Skills

You'll be helped to develop the ability to use and apply counselling theory, by working in small groups with a group facilitator who will demonstrate and support you in the use of counselling approaches and new techniques.

Integrating Counselling Theory

You'll be helped to analyse counselling approaches for therapeutic effectiveness, with inclusion of human development research. A combination of counselling models will be theoretically explored which will contribute to ways of working in a helping/counselling skills capacity. There will be an emphasis on your personal and practical development through the use of a learning log.

Psychology Final Year Project

You'll conduct research into your chosen area of psychology through the collection of original data to produce a report. You'll also communicate your research findings and work in progress through a short assessed presentation. Throughout the project you'll be supported to demonstrate high level research skills, an awareness of ethical principles and approval procedures, and an ability to work independently under supervision from a qualified member of psychology staff.

Option modules. Choose two from a list which may include:

Forensic Psychology

This module studies the key approaches, concepts and issues within the field of forensic psychology through a series of lectures and online facilities. You'll explore a range of psychological explanations for criminal activity relating to two main themes. Firstly, you'll critically consider various research areas within forensic psychology including prison treatment programmes, eyewitness and expert testimony, investigative interviews, crime and mentally disordered offenders. Secondly, you'll study a range of crimes such as murder, sexual crimes, arson, acquisitive and white collar crime.

Investigative Psychology

You'll explore the field of Investigative Psychology and cover a wide range of areas, including the work of Professor David Canter, Offender Profiling, Geographic Profiling, Investigative Interviewing and the Detection of Deception.

Personal Relationships

You'll study contemporary psychological research and theories of personal and intimate relationships. This will include material on different perspectives on personal relationships, physical attractiveness and attraction, how people form, maintain and end intimate relationships, sex differences in relationship behaviour, online relationships, and attachment and self-esteem in intimate relationships.

Serious Crime Investigation

You’ll explore modern police investigation practice in relation to serious crime, including the contribution of forensic science, offender profiling, surveillance data and new technologies. You’ll consider how current research into serious crime, such as homicide, terrorism and sexual offences, informs practice and police decision making, as well as how investigations and major enquiry management have become increasingly professionalised.

Psychology of Education

The complex factors which interact to construct learning will be explored, using a mix of psychological theories and their influence on educational policy in schools and on further and higher education. You'll be supported to develop an understanding of how different people are enabled and disabled, in participating in learning and education.

Psychology of Health and Wellbeing

You'll be introduced to the critical issues related to health, illness and disability in clinical and health psychology. The module challenges some of the preconceptions of ill-health from mainstream perspectives and considers how health and illness can be influenced by factors including culture, poverty, gender and sexuality. You'll be encouraged to consider how these factors impact on wellbeing and the experience and treatment of physical and mental illness and disability. Multiple perspectives will be considered in the critical, applied and research oriented module design. Through an essay you'll demonstrating a comprehensive and critical understanding of theoretical and applied approaches to the psychology of health and wellbeing.

The Neuroscience of Cognition

You'll cover key concepts within neuroscience and link neuroscientific evidence that underpin core cognitive theory. Through a series of themed lectures, case studies and examples will be used to demonstrate the links between neuroscience, cognition and behaviour. Lecture themes include: atypical and abnormal (effects of specific damage or traumatic brain injury), typical and functional (underlying mechanisms and neural correlates for typical function and cognitive abilities) and issues in neuroscience (practical, ethical and workplace/professional application).

On average 19.4% of study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online) in lectures, seminars, tutorials. You'll be taught through seminars, group work, laboratory experiments and lectures.

Assessment will include coursework and examination. Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

Further information

The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration. As this is a full-time course, you may have to attend every day of the week.

Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 360 credits in total for a bachelor’s qualification. These credits can come from a combination of core, compulsory and optional modules but please note that optional modules may not run if we do not have enough students interested.

If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

  1. The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.

  2. Our teaching staff rank first in England for the proportion with higher degrees and teaching qualifications, as well as being top five for those holding doctorates (HESA 2025). So you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

  3. We are second in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 24 since 2008 (2025 data).

  4. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Visit ‘Our experts’ page where you’ll find in-depth profiles of all our academic staff

At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

*full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.

Discover more about the course

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Further Study

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Research Excellence

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Important information

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons:

Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

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. 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. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and if you are unhappy with the change we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If 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

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 an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. 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 non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes 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), 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 or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff being unable to teach due to illness, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to pandemics, other disasters (such as fire, flood or war) or changes made by the government.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will consult with affected groups of students and any changes would only be made in accordance with our regulations. 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 let us know before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for any additional tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so and you may be eligible for an exit award depending on how far through your course you are.

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 in accordance with the student protection plan.

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

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