Course summary
Our BSc (Hons) Psychology (Counselling) is one of only a few such programmes nationally, designed specifically for students who are interested in pursuing a career in counselling or counselling psychology. Psychology and Counselling is* accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), offering students the opportunity to gain *Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership. There are multiple points throughout this counselling and psychology degree where there are opportunities for work placements. During stage one, there is a short work placement to complete as part of a module assessment. Following from here, there are work placement opportunities within our Education focused modules at stages two and three. We also run an optional placement year, between stages two and three, giving you the opportunity to strengthen career skills alongside your degree, should you so wish. By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:
- You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.
- At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2025 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2025*.
- Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).
- Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.
- Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.
- In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.
Modules
STAGE 1 • Introduction to Counselling (compulsory) • Becoming a Psychologist (compulsory) • Introduction to Psychology (compulsory) • Psychology in Practice (compulsory) • Positive Psychology (compulsory) • Psychology for Life (compulsory) STAGE 2 • Counselling: from Theory to Practice (compulsory) • Research Methods and Statistics (compulsory) • The Psychology of Well Being (designated) • The Psychology of Learning and Teaching in Educational Settings (designated) • The Human Animal (designated) • Biological and Cognitive Psychology: Mechanisms of the mind (compulsory) • Development and Society (compulsory) • Personality & the Fundamentals of Psychology (compulsory) Optional Placement Year • The FHES Placement Year Experience (designated) Students must have successfully completed 100 credits at Level 5 in order to undertake placement. STAGE 3 • Counselling Psychology Dissertation (compulsory) • Counselling in Context (compulsory) • The Psychology of Mental Health (designated) • Psychology of Spirituality, Religion and Wellbeing (designated) • Parapsychology and Anomalous Experiences (designated) • Applying Positive Psychology (designated) • The Psychology of Health (designated) • Educational Psychology (designated) • Neuroscience of Mind (designated) • Lifespan Development (designated) • The Psychology of Work and Organisations (designated)
- Students must take the compulsory modules and three designated modules. Students who do not complete the Honours Degree will be eligible for an Ordinary Degree in the named subject upon successful completion of a minimum of 60 Level 6 credits. These can be from any Level 6 modules, whether identified as compulsory or designated.
Assessment method
The course is assessed in a number of ways: • Essays • Role play exercises • Reflective writing assignments • Practical reports • Multiple-choice tests • Oral presentations • Essays • Seen and unseen examinations • Critical reviews • Group project work
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- British Psychological Society
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- BC98
- Institution code:
- N38
- Campus name:
- Waterside Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 120 points
A level - BBC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Access to HE Diploma - M: 45 credits
Scottish Higher - BBBB
AS
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DDM
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)
Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF)
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
Pearson BTEC Certificate (QCF)
Scottish Advanced Higher - BBC
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 25 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Extended Project
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - M2, M3, M3
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DDM
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate
AQA Level 3 (Foundation) Technical Level (360 glh)
AQA Level 3 Technical Level (540 glh)
AQA Level 3 Technical Level (720 glh)
AQA Level 3 Technical Level (1080 glh) - DDM
T Level - M
GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (or C), or equivalent required.
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Northampton
The University of Northampton
Waterside Campus
University Drive
Northampton
NN1 5PH