Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling

KEY FACTS

• Faculty: School of Health Sciences
• Study Options: Part Time
• Start Date: 2025
• Level: Undergraduate
• Course Length: 4 Years
• Qualification: BSc (Hons)
• Fees:
  • All Students Part-Time: £7,151.25* per annum
  • (For 2025/26, international and EU fees will be the same as Home fees)
• Apply: Applications are now open.
• Placement Option: Yes

About this programme

The BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling is a 4-year degree combining evidence-based learning with practical experience, preparing students for impactful careers in psychology and counselling. Aligned with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and aligned with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the programme equips graduates for professional registration and further study.

Students develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills through immersive learning with key stakeholders and structured modules that balance psychology and counselling. With a focus on employability and personal growth, this degree provides a strong foundation for careers in counselling, psychotherapy, and various psychology specialisms.

Modules

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3
• Year 4

Cognitive Psychology

The module gives a grounding in methods, techniques and issues of cognitive psychology and allied disciplines. It will allow you to understand how cognitive psychology relate to the development of psychology as a discipline and to other areas in psychology. Typical cognitive topics could include perception, attention and inhibitory control, human learning and memory, and mental imagery. Focusing on higher-levels of cognition concerned with language and cognitive control, and methodology, it examines how cognitive processes are instantiated in mind and brain. It also provides an historical overview of the schools of thought that led to the inception of cognitive psychology as a distinct academic discipline.

Biological Psychology

This module focuses on the study of the biological bases of human behaviour, relating actions and experiences to genetics and physiology. In this module students are introduced to the basic concepts of the physiological and neurobiological mechanisms underlying the generation and control of behaviour. The study of brain functioning is central to this module. It will address questions such as: How do genes, drugs and hormones influence behaviour? Why do we sleep? What causes behaviour? How are memories stored in the brain? What is the role of bodily reactions in emotion? In addition, the module will focus on the methods that are used to answer these questions, such as the recording of physiological signals, brain-imaging techniques, and the study of brain-damaged patients.

Developmental Psychology

This module examines developmental changes in social and cognitive processes from birth to adolescence. We examine the interaction of biological and social factors throughout development. Topics covered include attachment, perceptual and cognitive abilities in infancy, acquisition of language, theories of cognitive development, social and moral development, development of self-concept and theories of adolescence.

Social Psychology and Individual Differences

This module will allow students to explore a range of topics in social psychology and individual differences. Topics in social psychology may include social influence, self and identity, as well as the psychology of group processes. Across the topics covered, individual differences will be discussed alongside connections to other subdisciplines in psychology such as cognitive and biological psychology.

Person Centred Counselling Relationship Core

To enable students to demonstrate an understanding of the need to provide an environment conducive to listening (physically and contractually) and reflect upon how ways of listening (and not listening) impact upon clients. Opportunity and encouragement for students to begin listening to others with acceptance, congruence, and empathically. An opportunity for students to offer active listening skills to a colleague client and to receive the same.

Counselling Skills and Processes

This module aims at helping students put more effectively into practice their psychodynamic understanding of their work with clients. Students will gain an overview of the counselling process and context in which counselling takes place. Students will be learning to use counselling skills in their normal working roles. Students will learn the practical counselling skills, which will enable students to develop self-awareness and advanced communication skills. The five elements of theory, skills practice, professional development, personal development and ethics are present though all the course.

Counselling and Professional Practice

This module focuses on the theory and practice of counselling and professional practice. Students will explore advanced understanding of concepts of integration including the ability to apply to practice and work flexibly in a range of settings with diverse therapeutic approaches. Students will explore the role and identity of the counselling psychologist and to work explicitly within a framework of psychological theory including advanced understanding of implementing philosophical bases of counselling psychology in diverse practice settings Increased awareness of a scientist practitioner model, reflective practitioner model, models of evidence based practice and practice based evidence, and the evaluation of treatment efficacy and effectiveness.

Counselling Adolescents

Adolescent mental health is one of the key areas of specialisation for counsellors. This module will provide students with a broad theoretical background and introduce them to key professional issues in this specialisation. The module will consider vulnerability and resilience to psychological dysfunction in early life as well as major psychological disorders of infancy, childhood and young people, with particular emphasis on contemporary development. Sessions will be led by both academics and clinicians to provide a broad range of perspectives on adolescent mental health.

Approaches to Psychological Therapies

This module focuses on developing an understanding of the main psychotherapeutic approaches available and contemporary issues and debates in the psychological therapies field. Students will be introduced to the major psychological therapies, with particular emphasis being placed on how the issues of difference and diversity can impact upon the therapeutic relationship. Consideration will also be given to ethical issues, and the methodological difficulties associated with carrying out research in this area.

Neurodivergence in Psychology

The module offers students with an understanding of neurodiversity as a biological construct, it is a word for the infinite variation in neurocognitive functioning within the human species, analogous to ethnic diversity or gender diversity. Students will cover a broad range of topics and disorders of development throughout the module. The module will begin by introducing key aspects of cognition that are examined in neurodiverse populations and the methods for assessing these. The module will then cover a range of disorders of development, for example autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and specific learning disabilities. Students will develop their critical thinking skills through reflection on ongoing changes and perceptions of neurodiversity in society, and how these perceptions can affect social inclusion and equality of opportunities.

Research Methods in Psychology

This module will help students develop their knowledge of research methods and practices in psychology. The relevance and application of research and evidence-based practice will be explored, together with the evidence-based practice frameworks and hierarchies of evidence. The module will build on knowledge of the research process and provide further depth on research methodologies. A range of quantitative, qualitative and mix methods approaches will be explored using relevant research studies. The critical thinking frameworks for analysing the quality and reliability of published research, identifying methodological strengths and weaknesses will be explored, together with the key literacy skills, such as constructing a coherent argument will be developed. Ethical considerations during research will be explored, including the involvement of service users, families and carers.

Psychology Dissertation

This module will involve students producing a literature review with a particular focus on critical evaluation of a current important issue within Psychology. You will be closely supervised throughout the duration of your dissertation by an academic member of staff.

QAA Global Accreditation

The University is delighted to have achieved global accreditation from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), the UK’s independent quality body and a global leader in quality assurance for higher education.

“In achieving QAA’s global accreditation, the University has displayed its compatibility with international best practice.”

Vicki Scott, UK Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Chief Executive.

WHY UNIGIB?

• 92%-97% Employment or Further Study within 6 Months
• 36+ Nationalities
• 96% Satisfaction from Student Body
• QAA Global Accreditation

Entry Requirements

• Typically, all applicants should have one of the following:
  • BBC at ‘A level’ (equivalent to 112 UCAS points), science or health related subject preferred or international equivalent.
  • Science or health-based Access to HE course: Full Access Diploma with 45 level 3 credits and 15 level 2 credits of which 21 of the level 3 credits should be at Distinction and 18 at Merit.
  • Other Level 3 qualification equivalent.
• All applicants should typically have:
  • 5 GCSE’s A*– C (grade 4 or above post 2017) including English Language and Mathematics (Science also preferred) (or international equivalent).
  • Strong communications skills with the ability to communicate your ideas effectively in discussions, presentations and writing.
  • Basic IT skills, such as word-processing, email and Internet.

Access to Healthcare

Individuals who do not meet our entry requirements can apply to the Access to Healthcare course.

Successful completion of this course will provide you with the necessary entry requirements to apply for the BSc (Hons) Psychology and Counselling

English Language Requirements

• An overall IELTS test result of 7.0, including a minimum of 6.5 in all sub-tests. Equivalent awards will be considered (e.g. Pearson’s Test of English, Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English, Duolingo English Test, City & Guilds International ESOL 8984, or the TOEFL- IBT test of English proficiency). If you do not meet our entry requirements, you can still apply as we will consider your application.

Fees

Programme | Fee (per annum) | Years
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Home Part-Time | £7,151.25 | 4
International and EU Part-Time | £7,151.25 | 4 (For 2025/26, international and EU fees will be the same as Home fees)

Apply

Applications are now open. Applications will close early May 2025 for interviews mid May 2025.

• Due to immigration constraints, we cannot accept part-time applications for visa requiring students for this programme.

Scholarships

The University of Gibraltar hosts or directly offers a limited number of scholarship programmes to support your studies. These scholarships are highly competitive; they are available to support undergraduate, Master’s degree and PhD programmes and are made available to students based on certain criteria.

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