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Psychology with Counselling and Mental Health

BSc (Hons) & Foundation Year

Summary

Study level

Undergraduate

Award

Foundation Year Entry Degrees

Full time

4 years

Location

Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham

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Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology

What makes Arden University special?

Education for everyone, everywhere

Whether you're constrained by location, cost, time, or other life commitments, we're passionate about giving you access to higher education that fits into your busy, modern life.

You decide how and where to study

We offer a wide range of flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both our online and blended study modes.

Full support both online and on-site

We're also proud to offer non-standard entry, meaning your work experience and previous qualifications are taken into account when assessing your application.

Strong focus on employability

You will gain in-depth subject knowledge and transferable skills that employers from a huge range of industries will value. Many of our courses at Arden are also accredited by leading professional bodies in the UK.

Course Overview

Our BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling & Mental Health with Foundation Year has been designed for students who will benefit from an additional year of academic support at the start of their degree studies. Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), this degree offers Graduate Basis for Chartered (GBC) eligibility, opening pathways to postgraduate study, including training as a counselling psychologist.

During your foundation level you’ll gain the skills and confidence you need to complete your undergraduate degree with confidence.

After your foundation year, you’ll cover the full psychology curriculum—social, cognitive, biological, developmental, and research methods—alongside specialist modules such as Mental Health & Wellbeing, Emotion & Communication, Approaches to Counselling, Children & Young People, and Loss & Resilience.

Counselling and mental health take a person-centred approach, helping individuals explore their experiences and develop strategies to improve wellbeing. Professionals in these fields work across a variety of settings, including the NHS, schools, charities, youth and community services, and private practice.

Accreditation and Memberships

BPS Accredited

Graduates achieving a 2.2 on this course are eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) conferred by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

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Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society, the representative body for professional psychologists in the UK.

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Course details and modules

Arden's foundation year modules have been designed to give you a tailored and fully supportive introduction to university study. This first year of study will prepare you for success in higher education by introducing you to the academic skills and subject-specific knowledge required to excel in your chosen degree subject.

On this degree, your learning experience goes beyond the classroom. Alongside core psychology modules, you’ll study applied counselling and mental health, and complete an independent Research Project in your final year, putting your knowledge into practice on a topic that matters to you.

You’ll receive personalised support through one-to-one sessions with lecturers and skills tutors, regular personal tutor check-ins, and informal opportunities such as online coffee mornings with peers and staff. To help you connect your studies to practice, you’ll also hear from guest speakers across sectors including the NHS, policing, education, and community organisations.

Above all, Arden’s academic team of experienced practitioners, researchers, and published authors will guide you in applying your skills to real-world challenges, preparing you for both employment and further study.

Academic Experience

On this course, you'll be taught by a range of psychology experts. Many of our academics are research active and have published in academic journals, presented at national and international conferences, and authored book chapters on applied psychology. We also have former and continuing practitioners within the team whose expertise centres on the application of psychology in real-life contexts, such as organisational, educational, prison, health care, and clinical settings. As a whole, the team is highly active in the professional psychology community by running workshops and taking part in charitable events for organisations such as MIND.

Arden is for winners. Nobody will beg you to sit down and start working on your career, if you don’t do it yourself! At Arden, if you have an honest interest for what you learn and you want to reach out for more, you will be welcomed, helped, and advised. But to do that, you must be determined.

Bettina Finna

BSc (Hons) Psychology

Foundation level modules

Preparing for University Success
Exploring the Social World
Advancing your Academic Skills
Examining Social Justice
Planning for Your Future Success
Investigation & Innovation Project

Level 4

Introduction to Studying Psychology (20 credits)
Social Psychology (20 credits)
Exploring Research in Psychology (20 credits)
Developmental Psychology (20 credits)
Biological Psychology (20 credits)
Cognitive Psychology (20 credits)

Level 5

Qualitative Research Methods (20 credits)
Quantitative Research Methods (20 credits)
Emotion & Communication (20 credits)
Mental Health & Wellbeing (20 credits)
Personality and Intelligence (20 credits)
Approaches to Counselling Psychology (20 credits)

Level 6

Diagnosis, Assessment & Formulation (20 credits)
Contemporary Perspectives in Practice (20 credits)
Children & Young People (20 credits)
Psychology of Loss & Resilience (20 credits)
Counselling Research Project (40 credits)

Study options

This course is available to study through Arden’s blended learning study mode at our campuses in London Stratford, London Holborn, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Leeds.

I chose online learning because I do not currently have the capacity to attend classes as my days are full with running my household, my elderly parents’ household and tending to the needs of my 3-year-old. Online studying has been extremely helpful because it provides the flexibility I need in order to study at random times during the day or night.

Cynthia Blow

BSc (Hons) Psychology

Full-time blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose our full-time blended learning study mode, you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden campus of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, our university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to our Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face to face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of our UK campuses.

If you're a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of our UK campuses) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on our fees and funding page. If you're a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information about obtaining a student loan to cover your costs from your student finance body.

Learn more about blended learning

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.

What you need to study with us

Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study in a flexible and convenient way. That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you'll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing thousands of ebooks, as well as tools for creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.

Eligibility

To be able to study this course, we need to see that you have:

At least 3 x GCSEs or 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent. If your qualifications are more than 3 years old we may also ask to see your professional CV.
Applicants may be considered based on a minimum of 12 months of professional work experience evidenced with a CV and Reference if they do not meet the qualification requirements.
We also offer this course as a standard bachelor’s degree without foundation year. To view the course details, please click here.

Candidates are required to submit a personal statement (of between 350-550 words) or attend an interview demonstrating an ability to study for the programme. This statement should include:

Your motivation for undertaking the programme
Why you’ve chosen your particular course
Any long-term goals or career aspirations

English proficiency

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English, can be accepted.

Course fees and funding

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Meet the faculty

Caroline is an accomplished higher education leader and neuropsychologist, recognised for her commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student success. Before joining Arden University, she was Dean of Education & Student Experience at Bangor University’s College of Medicine & Health and previously Head of the School of Psychology. With over twenty commendations from bodies such as the BPS and Advance HE, she has led major initiatives in teaching, quality assurance, and staff development. She has collaborated with organisations including Unilever, Aldi, and Mondelez, appeared on BBC TV and radio, and conducted research promoting mental health and wellbeing in small-to-medium enterprises. Guided by values of inclusivity, curiosity, and collaboration, Caroline is dedicated to creating supportive, high-performing environments where both staff and students can thrive.

Professor Caroline Bowman

Head of School of Psychology

Career prospects

Counselling is an area of psychology that takes a person-centred approach, assisting individuals to explore their experiences and develop strategies for tackling maladaptive thoughts and behaviours. Counsellors work in a wide range of professional settings including; in-house for profit and non-profit organisations, government departments, and in private practice.

With a specialised degree in psychology with counselling, you’ll have a qualification that shows your commitment to working in professional practice. The course sets you up with a range of knowledge, skills, and abilities that will allow you to apply your learning confidently in your future career as a counsellor. Following BPS validation, the course will also open an exciting range of additional career paths in applied psychology.

Related courses

What will the BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling and Mental Health with Foundation Year do for me?

Employers who have provided input into this course’s development include counselling psychologists, clinical psychologists, psychology practitioners, the UK fire service, independent consultants, and previous alumni who are now working across many varied professional areas. Because of this input, you’ll find that your course content has been tailored to help you fill current skills gaps in a range of careers and professions worldwide.

With such a wide choice of topics to learn about and different skills to master, you’ll graduate with in-depth knowledge of modern counselling theory and practice, including:

Communicate effectively in challenging situations
Retrieving, comprehending, and using data
Handling primary source material appropriately
Problem solving and abstract and scientific reasoning
Making critical judgements and evaluations
Applying sensitivity to interpersonal factors
Talking and listening approaches in counselling
Responding to feedback

During your Foundation Year, you'll get comprehensive support and preparation for your university journey, including:

Introduction and preparation: our Foundation Year courses introduce you to university-level teaching, learning, and assessment methods. You'll develop essential study skills, research techniques, and critical thinking abilities, laying a strong foundation for your degree studies.

Personalised support: our academic staff will guide you throughout your Foundation Year. They'll ensure a smooth transition into your degree programme, providing the support you need every step of the way.

Direct relevance to your future degree: your programme content is carefully designed to align with Arden's degree courses. Studying a Foundation Year will equip you with subject-specific knowledge and interdisciplinary exploration, establishing a solid base for your chosen degree.

Improved degree outcomes: we prioritise not only your academic preparation but also your success. By boosting your confidence, academic skills, and understanding of the subjects, we empower you to achieve the best possible degree outcomes and expand your career opportunities.

What can I do after Arden University?

After successfully completing your BSc Psychology with Counselling with Foundation Year degree, you’ll have acquired a range of specialised skills that will demonstrate your drive and commitment to developing your career as a counsellor.

As well as graduating with the possibility of continuing on to further counselling related qualifications, such as psychotherapy or Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), once accredited, this course will also give you eligibility to enrol on the British Psychological Society’s independent route to training as a counselling psychologist, or apply for a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology.

Average Salary for Counselling Psychologist in the UK is £62,042 (sourced from Reed Salary Tracker on 20th November 2023)

Following completion of the BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling and Mental Health students can progress into the following careers:

Assistant Psychologist
Healthcare Assistant
Mental Health Support Worker
Counselling Support Roles (Helpline Support)
Human Resources or occupational health assistant
Social Care Roles
Research Assistant
Life Coach

Progression into further training/qualifications from the undergraduate programme

Counselling Psychologist
Counsellor
Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
Educational Mental Health Practitioner
Mental Health Professional
Social Worker
Educational Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Health Psychologist

Industry skills

The British Psychological Society (BPS)

The British Psychological Society (BPS) is the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK. The society is responsible for the development, promotion, and application of psychology for the public good.

Arden’s BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling course is accredited by the British Psychological Society. This means that students obtaining at least a lower second-class honours degree (2:2) will be eligible for the society’s Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership - the prerequisite requirement to go on to further training as a professional psychologist after graduation.

You’ll receive free student membership of the BPS during your studies with us, giving you access to a range of professional resources and opportunities, including:

Access to dozens of industry events each year, including student-focused careers events where you can learn from psychology professionals.
Subscriptions to The Psychologist, the monthly BPS magazine, and Psych-Talk, which is written by psychology students for psychology students – and is also a great way for you to get published.
Access to the online community of BPS members, which helps you to connect with other psychology students across the UK and discuss the latest advances and developments in your field of interest.
The chance to become a student rep and help support your fellow psychology students and spread the word about BPS membership.
Discounts on textbooks and key publications, including 35% off Wiley/Blackwell books (print and e-books) when you sign up for BPS membership.

Campaign for Social Science

Arden University is a member of the Campaign for Social Science.

The Campaign demonstrates how social science improves public policy, society, and all our lives. It highlights the value of applied social science research and advocates for its greater use in decision-making and in government. It is supported by a coalition of universities, social science societies, and publishers.

As a member, Arden receives access to case studies, research into the value provided by social sciences, and insights into the employability of social science graduates. Through this, you will gain a better understanding of the skills you are learning and their value to employers.