Course overview
Combine a deep understanding of human psychology with integrated approaches to counselling. Gain a strong foundation in both these areas and build your skills for a career in the field.
As a combination, psychology and counselling will enable you to better understand the psychology of people and the factors that can impact on psychological health, as well as what crucial strategies and interventions can be used to improve mental health and wellbeing.
From the outset you will be introduced to a range of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive, behavioural and person-centred techniques. Our BSc (Hons) Counselling Psychology course follows the curriculum recommended by the British Psychological Society (BPS); a required foundation for those seeking a career in a psychology-focused profession.
Careers and Opportunities
There’s broad scope for success in a wide range of rewarding careers. Typically, counselling psychologists work as part of NHS services or in private consultancy practices across the UK. It is also an excellent basis for those wishing to continue their training to become a clinical psychologist. The skills learned also provide an excellent basis for careers in other professions such as:
- Advice Worker
- Psychotherapist
- Careers advisor
- Counsellor
- Human resource officer
- Teaching (further and higher education)
- Researcher
- Parole officer
- Advertising
- Retail management
- Customer services
There is also the opportunity for students who graduate from the BSc (Hons) Counselling Psychology course to gain employment in a range of people-to-people focused occupations.
Key Information
- Course title:
- Counselling Psychology
- UCAS Code:
- C843
- Qualification:
- BSc (Hons)
- Duration:
- 3 years
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Typical offer:
- UCAS Tariff points 120
Course leader

Zöe Wimshurst
BSc MSc PhD CPsychol – Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Zöe recently joined AECC as a Senior Lecturer in the newly formed School of Psychology, Sport and Physical Activity. She is a Chartered Psychologist specialising in visual performance in elite athletes – and area in which she has been working for over a decade.
Course details
The BSc (Hons) Counselling Psychology course will be delivered through a range of lectures, seminars, tutorials and demonstrations, alongside supervised workshops, project supervision, practical classes, guided independent study, work-based learning, small group learning, guest lectures, role-play activities and case study analysis.
You will learn through a variety of teaching styles, including formative and summative assessment methods which are placed throughout our psychology units. The aim is to balance the developmental and judgemental aspects of assessment to promote a deeper learning. You will make the most of our on-site laboratory testing facilities, with more traditional coursework, essays, presentations, group work, and practical skills assessments.
With access to our Virtual Learning Environment, your education will be interactive and varied. Through quizzes, video tutorials, seminar notes and more you will be able to study whenever, and wherever suits you alongside your core teaching.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Examinations
- Coursework
- Portfolio
- Practical Assessment and Presentation
Unit breakdown
- Introduction to Psychology Research Methods
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Applying Psychology
- Conceptual and Historical Perspectives
- Introduction to Learning Theory
- Introduction to Counselling
- Research Methods
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Biological Psychology
- Counselling Theory and Practice
- Counselling Psychology dissertation
- Individual differences
- Psychology and Mental Health
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Rehabilitating the Brain
- Clinical Psychology
- Positive Psychology
- Psychology placement
Entry Requirements
How do I apply for 2019 entry?
If you want to start this course in 2019, you will need to apply via UCAS. Please visit UCAS and use institution code A65 and the course code C843.
Apply via UCAS
If you’re applying from the UK or Ireland
Essential for entry
Please note that applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A*-C including Maths and English, or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above) to be considered for the programme.
A-levels
BBB or above to include Psychology (or acceptable equivalent). General Studies will not be considered.
BTEC Extended Diploma
Distinction Merit Merit or above in a relevant Extended Diploma for example; Applied Psychology.
Access to HE Diploma
A total of 120 UCAS points in a relevant Access to HE Diploma for example; Psychology.
International Baccalaureate
Overall grade of 32 points or higher to include Psychology (or acceptable equivalent) at Higher Level.
Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers
BBBBB or above in 5 Higher/Advanced Higher subjects to include Psychology (or acceptable equivalent).
Irish Leaving Certificate
H3,H3,H3,H3,H3 from 5 subjects at Higher Level to include Psychology (or acceptable equivalent).
If you have undertaken a qualification that’s not listed, it may still be considered. Talk to Admissions by completing the form below or call us on 01202 436200 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.
If you’re applying from outside of the UK
For those of you coming from outside the UK, take a look at our Psychology International Entry Requirements Page.
If you currently live outside the EEA (European Economic Area) you’ll need a tier-4 student visa to study here in the UK. The UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) provides country specific information on their website - check it out here.
For more information about our admissions policies and procedures, including our Admissions Complaints and Appeals Policy, please click here
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? LET US ANSWER THEM IN OUR APPLICATION FAQS
Course Fees
There are a lot of things to consider when applying to university, including course fees. Take a look at the current course fees for the BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling (2019/2020) entry.
- Home/EU: £9,250 per annum
- Home/EU - ELQ students : £14,100 per annum. You are classed as an ELQ student if the course which you are applying to is an equivalent or lower qualification to one you have previously achieved.
- Channel Islands and Isle of Man: £9,250 per annum
- Overseas/EEA: £14,100 per annum
Bear in mind that the fees currently advertised by AECC University College are for the first year of the programme only. We advise to budget for an increase of up to 5% for each following year. All increased fees will be posted to AECC University College's student website, so don’t worry if you forget.
For UK / EU students classed as an ELQ student and overseas / EEA students, fees after your first year should not increase by more than RPI + 1% (UK Retail Price Index – RPI).
If you’re planning on applying for the tuition fee loan for the BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling then make a note in your diary - to get the maximum loan of £9,250 for the 2019/20 academic year, make sure your Student Finance application is completed by the end of May 2019. You can complete your applications from March 2019, so there’s time.
Find out more about fees and financial support for UK/European students over at the UK government website:
Advice and assistance with Student Finance
Our tuition fees policy and information around bursaries and scholarships can be found on our latest policies page, along with information on any expected additional costs for each of our courses. Should you have any questions on course fees please contact our admissions team on the form below
Note: For students to be eligible for funding from Student Finance England, they must be studying on an eligible course at a provider registered with the Office for Students (OfS). AECC University College is registered with the OfS. You can view the register here and search for our name.
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