Course summary

Overview Our career-focused curriculum will provide you with the knowledge and research-based practices needed to support people with a variety of challenges, including relationship disputes, addiction and mental illness. This professionally accredited course has a strong practical focus that will build your professional skills, enhance your CV and get you noticed by employers. In your first year, you’ll study modules which explore how social and biological factors shape people’s behaviour and psychological development. This will help you understand how mental health practice can be adapted based on factors such as family dynamics, cultural norms, and socioeconomic status. We’ll also develop your knowledge of how mental health professionals operate, with modules teaching you key professional skills such as active listening, note-taking and how to build repour with those you support. As you progress through the degree you will be able to focus more on your specific interests through optional modules and research projects. This will prepare you to conduct a piece of original research under the supervision of a member of academic staff in your dissertation module. You’ll be supported to develop your CV and widen your skillset with additional professional opportunities, such as mental health training, volunteering opportunities with local mental health charities, and specialist courses with Papyrus. Our assessment methods are created to complement a future career within mental health and related fields. You’ll complete essays, written responses to counselling case studies and deliver presentations you about what you have learnt. This will create a supportive and reflective portfolio of work that you can refer to in a variety of professional scenarios. Why the University of Worcester? The University of Worcester is a campus university, meaning everything you need is on site. We’re based in a vibrant cathedral city just 40 mins south of Birmingham and an hour north of Bristol, and our beautiful green campuses have plenty of parking and quality on-site accommodation. At Worcester, small class sizes, supportive tutors, and professionally focused courses mean you’ll be prepared for your dream career. These are just some of the reasons why we’re first in the UK for both graduate employment and quality education.

• University of the Year finalist in the Times Higher Education Awards 2025.

• First in the UK for sustained employment, further study or both, from any multidisciplinary university – Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) 2017 to 2025.

• First in the UK for quality education – Joint 1st in the Times Higher Education’s University Impact Rankings 2025.