Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling with Foundation Year

Summary

The BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling with Foundation Year is a four-year undergraduate degree that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of psychology and counselling. The course is designed for students who require additional academic support at the start of their degree studies.

What makes Arden University special?

Arden University is committed to providing accessible higher education that fits into modern life. The university offers flexible undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in both online and blended study modes. Students have access to full support both online and on-site, and the university has a strong focus on employability.

Course Overview

The BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling 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. The course provides students with an entry point into other counselling-related qualifications, such as psychotherapy or Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT). Once accredited, the course will also give students eligibility to enrol on the British Psychological Society's independent route to training as a counselling psychologist and can support applications for a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology.

Accreditation and Memberships

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

Course details and modules

The course consists of the following modules:

• 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)
  • Positive Psychology (20 credits)
  • Personality and Intelligence (20 credits)
  • Approaches to Counselling Psychology (20 credits)
  • Core Counselling Skills (20 credits)
• Level 6:
  • Health and Psychological Well-being (20 credits)
  • Psychological Assessment and Formulation (20 credits)
  • Counselling Psychology, Mental Health and Illness (20 credits)
  • Managing the Therapeutic Process (20 credits)
  • Counselling Research Project (40 credits)

Assessments

Assessments on the course have been designed to help students apply their learning to real-world scenarios. There are no exams on the course. Instead, students will complete a range of assessments, including role-play sessions, that will help them develop key transferable skills that employers value.

Study options

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

Entry requirements

To be eligible for the course, students must have:

• At least 3 x GCSEs or 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent
• 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
• IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
• Alternatively, evidence that the student has 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

Course fees are not available yet. However, students from England who are enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of the UK campuses) can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for their living expenses.

Meet the faculty

The Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology is currently overseen by Professor Brian Smith, Deputy Provost. Professor Smith has over three decades of experience and has been awarded the prestigious Higher Education Academy National Teaching Fellow for excellence in developing inspiring and innovative new learning and teaching models in global higher education.

Career prospects

The course sets students up with a range of knowledge, skills, and abilities that will allow them to apply their learning confidently in their future career as a counsellor. Following BPS validation, the course will also open an exciting range of additional career paths in applied psychology.

Industry skills

The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Students will have free membership of the BPS as soon as they enrol with Arden, which opens up a number of fantastic opportunities and professional resources for them.

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

The course will provide students 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 the Foundation Year, students will get comprehensive support and preparation for their university journey, including:

• Introduction and preparation: the Foundation Year courses introduce students to university-level teaching, learning, and assessment methods
• Personalised support: academic staff will guide students throughout their Foundation Year
• Direct relevance to their future degree: the programme content is carefully designed to align with Arden's degree courses
• Improved degree outcomes: the Foundation Year will equip students with subject-specific knowledge and interdisciplinary exploration, establishing a solid base for their chosen degree

What can I do after Arden University?

After successfully completing the BSc Psychology with Counselling with Foundation Year degree, students will have acquired a range of specialised skills that will demonstrate their drive and commitment to developing their 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, the course will also give students 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.

Students will also graduate with skills that can be applied to a range of future career options, including:

• Support Worker
• Nursing
• Mental health professional
• Human resource manager
• Careers adviser
• Journalist
• Marketing/advertising
• Police officer
• Social work

Industry skills

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 BPS. 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.

Students will have free membership of the BPS as soon as they enrol with Arden, which opens up a number of fantastic opportunities and professional resources for them, including:

• Access to dozens of industry events each year, including student-focused careers events where students 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 students to get published
• Access to the online community of BPS members, which helps students connect with other psychology students across the UK and discuss the latest advances and developments in their field of interest
• The chance to become a student rep and help support 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 students sign up for BPS membership.