Psychology with Counselling
The BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling degree combines psychology with integrative approaches to counselling.
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Key Course Details
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UCAS Code
3A8U
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Start Date
September
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Location
Pontypridd
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Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students
£9,535*
International students
£16,200*
- Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
-
Start Date
September
-
Location
Pontypridd
-
Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students
£785*
- Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
-
UCAS Code
3A9U
-
Start Date
September
-
Location
Pontypridd
-
Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students
£9,535*
International students
£16,200*
- Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
You will complete all key areas in psychology necessary to gain British Psychological Society accreditation.
DESIGNED FOR
This is not a professional integrative counselling course but is instead a course designed for individuals seeking a Graduate Basis for Chartership from the British Psychological Society to kickstart a psychology career within the social care sector.
Accredited by
- The British Psychological Society.
Career paths
- Clinical Psychologist
- Counselling Psychologist
- Educational Psychologist
- Psychology Well-Being Practitioner
- Health Psychologist
Skills taught
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Enquiry and Analysis
- Creative Problem Solving
- Working with Others
Course Highlights
Module Overview
You will complete all key areas in psychology necessary to gain British Psychological Society accreditation, including research methods, cognitive, social, biological, developmental and individual psychology. We combine this understanding of the areas of psychology with an integrative approach to counselling, including person-centred and compassion-focused approaches. You will start to look at the core areas of Psychology required for BPS accreditation, and you will have the opportunity to experience psychological research first hand. We will also start to introduce you to a range of therapeutic principles and approaches such as cognitive, behavioural, and person-centred approaches.
Critical Perspectives in Psychology
Introducing the core BPS perspectives of psychology (Biological, Cognitive, Social and Developmental) and the effect of individual differences on behaviour with emphasis on the key theoretical approaches and how these shape understanding.
Investigating Methods and Evidence in Psychology*
How is psychological research conducted? We’ll look at the methods of quantitative and qualitative research and analysis and explore research ethics and their effect on psychology.
*This module can be studied 100% through the medium of Welsh
Introduction to Therapeutic Principles
We will start to look at the therapeutic perspectives and principles that underpin traditional and contemporary counselling therapies, models and strategies.
In your second year, we will continue to expand your knowledge of the psychology and counselling fields and you will start to specialise in integrative approaches. Application of knowledge will be a theme in your second year as you start to look at the application of therapeutic principles and applying your skills in the Professional Practice and Employability module where you will be supported in applying for work experience.
Understanding the Application of Therapeutic Principles
You will develop a detailed understanding of the humanistic tradition of therapeutic principles, and we will help you facilitate the application of this knowledge to the wider context of counselling and psychotherapy.
Professional Practice and Employability
You will have the opportunity for work experience, as well as gain transferable skills and explore how to gain employment.
Advanced Methods and Evidence in Psychology
We will explore more advanced statistical and qualitative analysis, building on the methods you covered in the first year of your degree.
From Cells to Consciousness
We will build on the critical perspectives of psychology covered in your first year, exploring how biology and the brain influence behaviour (e.g., attention, memory, decision making) with consideration of individual differences.
Lifespan Development in the Social Context
We will build on your critical perspectives in psychology, exploring the social and developmental factors that influence our behaviour (e.g., attitudes and attribution) with consideration of individual factors.
Your final year introduces optional modules that allow you to further align your studies to your career aspirations. We will also cover a more advanced exploration of therapeutic principles in a social context and advance your critical reflective practice skills within the counselling field. You will also undertake an independent dissertation research project, exploring a topic of your choosing.
Psychology Dissertation
You will complete an independent research project, building on the skills developed throughout your degree. You will explore a subject of interest of your choosing with support from supervisors with a range of expertise.
Health Psychology across the Lifespan (Optional)
We will explore the effect of biology, psychology and social factors on physical health (ill health, preventative healthcare and wellbeing) and consider how this varies across the lifespan and levels of individual responsibility.
The Psychology of Education and Work (Optional)
We will focus on the practical application of psychology to contemporary education, exploring techniques to promote academic achievement and considering the health and well-being of educators.
Psychological Disorders and Therapeutic Interventions (Optional)
We will explore clinical disorders, such as eating disorders, anxiety, developmental disorders, and schizophrenia, evaluating the diagnostic and treatment practices of these.
Applications of Social Psychology (Optional)
We will look at social identity and how it can be used to improve negative circumstances, exploring the impact of the environment on social identity and using this to promote responsible behaviour, as well as social relationships online.
Cognitive Neuropsychology and Neuroscience (Optional)
We will explore the impact of brain damage on cognitive processes, exploring the ways we investigate neuroanatomical regions whilst considering environmental factors.
Forensic Psychology (Optional)
We will critically appraise the role that Psychology plays in all aspects of the criminal and civil justice systems, including police and security investigation and offender management.
Critical Reflective Practice in Counselling
Building on existing knowledge, you will develop a detailed understanding and reflective practice of counselling that is highly relevant across a broad range of practitioner roles.
Therapeutic Principles, Psychopathology and Mental Health in Social Context
We will look at the range of mental health and psychopathological problems that are prevalent in our society today, using our existing understanding to evaluate these from therapeutic perspectives.
Course Highlights
How you’ll learn
Our Psychology with Counselling degree provides you with an engaging and immersive learning environment through lectures, workshops, tutorials, projects, group activities, placements, podcasts, and simulation learning in the Hydra Simulation Suite. We also arrange guest lectures throughout the year delivered by academics from other institutions and practising psychologists from various fields. We want you to have the opportunity to learn about psychology in new ways with no two modules being delivered or assessed in the same way: one of our most exciting features is how varied the learning is on our course! Coursework will include essays, practical reports, oral presentations, and case studies.
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Facilities
Our purpose-built psychology lab is filled with industry standard equipment that you will use throughout your studies, as well as interview and observation rooms that allow you, as a researcher, to observe human behaviour in a natural manner through a one-way screen. Some of the equipment that you will use includes eye-tracking equipment, Electroencephalography (EEG) machines, and BIOPAC systems. As part of our dedicated Psychology space, you will also be able to book a space for quiet study and access the dedicated social learning space with computers and psychology textbooks.
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Teaching staff
Our academic staff are passionate about psychology and are heavily involved in current psychology research across a range of specialist fields, so your teaching comes from staff at the forefront of their research areas. Tutors specialise in a range of fields, including developmental disorders across the lifespan, health behaviour and sport psychology.
James Greville, course leader
Janet Pitman
Mary O’Connell
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Placements
You will be supported in applying for work experience in the Professional Practice and Employability module in your second year, with further opportunities for applying for work experience and placements available through our Psychology Plus scheme.
Psychology Plus aims to enhance your skills and give you an advantage in the graduate jobs market or applications for further study. You’ll have the opportunity to gain clinical experience in our on-campus clinic, and complete specialist short courses, professional certificates and work placements – altogether a great boost to your CV.
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Why USW?
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Accredited by The British Psychological Society.
Why USW?
94%
of students are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating from USW.
Natiional Student Survey 2022Accredited by The British Psychological Society.
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
UCAS points: 96 (or above)
Typical qualification requirements:
- A Level: CCC to exclude General Studies
- BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit
- Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate: Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C in the Skills Challenge Certificate and CC at A Level to exclude General Studies
- Access to HE: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points.
Additional requirements include:
The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.
International applications welcomed:
We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.
English language requirements
International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.
Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.
If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.
If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.
USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.
We're here to help
Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.
Fees and Funding
£9,535
per year*£16,200
per year*£16,200
per year*£785
per 20 credits*Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
*Obligatory.
Students will be expected to pay for a DBS or certificate of good behaviour from their home country. The DBS fee includes £49.50 for the enhanced DBS certificate, the Post Office Administration fee and the online administration fee
Cost: £64.74
Subscription required for each year of the course for a yearly fee of £16. Please note the service has to be joined within 30 days of receipt of your enhanced DBS certificate
Cost: £16
Students undertaking placement as part of professional practice modules may incur costs associated with travel to placement.
Cost: Variable
University Quality Assurance
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.
Life at USW
Halls are a big part of your student experience and there’s accommodation at all three of our locations. If you don’t want to live near the campus, there are great transport links to keep you connected.
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How to apply
All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time.)
- September 2025 Full-time
- September 2025 Part-time
- September 2025 Sandwich
- September 2026 Sandwich
- September 2026 Full-time
- September 2026 Part-time
Advanced entry
If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.
International admissions
International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.
