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What makes Counselling Psychology at Worcester special?

Counselling Psychology brings together psychological theory, research and therapeutic practice with an emphasis on personal development. This course will provide you with an understanding of all core areas of psychology with an added emphasis on ways in which psychological theories of personality and relationship formation contribute to the understanding of mental health and the practice of counselling psychology.

At Worcester our courses have been designed to develop you as the psychologist of the future. From innovative and career-focussed assessments to understanding the challenges global societies will face in the future, your course will equip you with the skills and aptitude to make a difference.

Whatever your course (business, clinical, counselling, forensic, health, psychology or sport and exercise psychology), you will be taught by specialist practitioners whose work is underpinned by contemporary research. All courses are also accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), putting you in a great position when you’re starting your career.

 

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • A welcoming, professional community of students and lecturers, including the Worcester Psychology Society, with guest speakers, group trips, social nights and a peer mentoring scheme
  • A personalised learning journey; choice of modules, skills development and personal and academic tutoring based as much on your career as your studies
  • Modules and assessments designed with an emphasis on experiential learning which will help you be an active and passionate learner and to understand the challenges global societies will face tomorrow and how psychology plays a role in addressing these
  • ‘Assessments for life’ designed to reflect the key skills that employers of psychology graduates value helping to increase your employability prospects and making you prepared for today, tomorrow and beyond
  • Innovative and cutting-edge modules delivered by practitioners working in their specialist fields through research inspired and practitioner-based teaching

Register your interest

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British Psychological Society accredited logo

Accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).

You will have the opportunity to gain Graduate Basis for Chartership Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society – your first step to a career as a psychologist.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

112
UCAS tariff points

Entry requirements

112 UCAS Tariff points (for example, BBC at A Level)

GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or above

A Criminal Record Bureau disclosure may be required for some modules

Other information

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk for advice.

Further information about the UCAS Tariff can be obtained from the UCAS website.

"The course has enabled me to develop confidence and self awareness, both of which are crucial in using counselling skills, and working with people in different settings. I enjoyed learning how key theorists have influenced how counsellors with with clients."

Gwen Cooper, Counselling Psychology BSc (Hons)

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Course content

Course content

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative. 

Year 1

Mandatory

  • Introducing Psychology
  • Investigating Psychology
  • Professional Skills and Practice
  • Applied Psychology 2: Forensic and Therapeutic Settings

Optional

Year 2

Mandatory

  • Cognitive Neuroscience and Biological Approaches
  • The Individual and the Social World
  • Research Skills in Psychology

Optional

Year 3

Mandatory

  • Psychology Research Project
  • Counselling Psychology in Practice
  • Evidence-Based Practice

Optional

  • Business Psychology
  • Coaching Psychology
  • Counselling Skills in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology
  • Positive Psychology
  • Cyberpsychology
  • Living with Long Term Conditions
  • Social Cognition & Emotion
  • Understanding Trauma & Violence
  • Negotiated Topics in Psychology
  • Work Based Learning

 

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and assessment

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support through the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful.

Teaching

Students are taught through a combination of different learning and teaching methods. Lectures allow for the presentation and introduction of key topics, including both traditional and contemporary sources, which allow students to begin their learning. This is then supported by seminars that enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures. Subject specific skills are the focus of practical classes and workshops (for example, understanding statistical data analysis).

The course also has a keen focus on experiential learning, as there is good evidence that this can greatly enhance the student learning experience. Therefore, such methods will be used such as problem-based learning, whereby students will apply theory and content from psychology to address real world, global issues (e.g. the role of AI in the workplace, tackling climate change and global pandemics). Such global issues will be themes that run through the course, and as such will be covered elsewhere in other learning and teaching.

Furthermore, the role of research in the learning and teaching methods of this course will be central to all areas. Such research-informed teaching and learning will include practical research classes where students put into practice research methods they have learnt as well as focusing on research in directed study, group activities, assessments and problem-based learning.

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip them for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement.  A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support from Student Services and Library Services, and also the Personal Academic Tutoring system enables students to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will help them to flourish and be successful.

In addition, meetings with Personal Academic Tutors (PAT) are scheduled on at least four occasions in the first year. This will include two group sessions as part of modules, and individual meetings. Students are scheduled to meet their PAT’s on three occasions in each of the other years of a course.

Contact time

In a typical week, you will have around 10-12 contact hours of teaching.  The precise contact hours will depend on the optional modules selected and in the final year there is normally slightly less contact time in order to do more independent study. 

Typically class contact time will be structured around:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshops
  • Tutorials
  • Use of course Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard) for online activities

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to undertake around 24 hours of personal self-study per week. Typically, this will involve completing online activities, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library and online, and preparing coursework assignments and presentations.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources. 

Teaching staff

Students will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes staff from a range of psychology backgrounds including Counselling Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Health Psychology, Occupational Psychology and with research specialisms such as emotions, evolutionary approaches to behaviour, positive psychology and individual differences.

Teaching is informed by research and consultancy, and the majority of lecturers on the course have (or are currently working towards) a higher education teaching qualification or are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy.

You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles

Assessment

A range of assessment methods are used to enable students to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes. Literacy and critical thinking around psychology is developed and assessed through assignments such as essays, literature reviews and critical reviews of journal papers. Quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis report writing assessments aim to develop skills such as problem-solving, research, organisation, planning, and effective communication. Effective and fluent written, oral and visual communication is enhanced further through assessments that use posters and PowerPoint presentations, video and webpage design; whilst the use of group work for assessment enables better team working and the development of leadership skills. Finally a number of modules use weblogs, e-portfolios and case studies to develop and assess a range of skills including reflection and independent learning.  

Furthermore the course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments.  Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade.  

Assessment methods include; Essay, Exam, Practical Report File, Reflective Log, Personal Development Plan, Psychology Applied Learning Scenario, Public Communication, Research Funding Bid, Literature Review, Research Proposal, Presentation (group and individual), Research Project, Poster Presentation, Case Study, Portfolio, Policy Briefing, Extended Essay, Workbook

The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary according to the mandatory and optional modules taken, but a typical formal summative assessment pattern for each year of the course is:

Year 1

  • 2 Essays
  • 1 Multiple Choice Exam
  • 2 Practical Report Files
  • 2 Reflective Logs
  • 1 Personal Development Plan
  • 1 Psychology Applied Learning Scenario

Year 2

  • 1 Public Communication
  • 1 Research Funding Bid
  • 1 Essay
  • 1 Literature Review
  • 1 Practical Report File
  • 1 Research Proposal
  • 1 Group Presentation
  • 1 Reflective Log
  • 1 Hybrid Exam

Year 3

  • 1 Research Project
  • 1 Poster Presentation
  • 1 Case Study
  • 1 Debate
  • 1 Essay
  • 1 Presentation Portfolio
  • 1 Policy Briefing
  • 1 Extended Essay

Feedback

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader. Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work assessments within 20 working days of hand-in.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Meet the team

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course.

You can find out more about our Psychology team from our School of Psychology staff profile webpage.

dr-gillian-harrop

Dr Gillian Harrop

Gill is a senior lecturer in forensic psychology. She came to the University of Worcester from the University of Lincoln, and previously taught on both the MSc in Forensic Psychology at Liverpool University, and the BSc in Psychology at the University of East London. Prior to this, she worked for Lincolnshire Police as an Intelligence Analyst in the Force Intelligence Bureau and Major Crime Unit.

Emma Banks

Emma Banks

Twenty-two years ago, Emma Banks wrote in her school leaving book “I want to be a psychologist.”

Now she is finally on her path to achieving that dream as she graduates from the University of Worcester with a First Class degree in Counselling Psychology. During her time at university, Emma became the Chair of the Mature Student Network and said she had made friends for life. Emma is now continuing her studies with an MSc in Occupational Psychology at the University.

 

Read Emma's full case study here.

Careers

Careers

Before you start your Psychology degree, you'll probably want to know how it can help you into a fulfilling career. Here at Worcester, we've designed the whole Psychology curriculum around your future ambitions - and we support you in developing the skills that will open doors in a range of sectors, including health, business, counselling, forensics, education and sport. Communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, team working, and data collection and analysis are just some of the skills that will increase your appeal to employers.

We don’t just help you develop your skills we also provide opportunities for you to practice them, and help you understand your unique and personal ‘skills rucksack’. We work closely with the university's Careers and Employability team, arranging placements, both paid and voluntary, with many local and national organisations - including the NHS, the BPS, West Mercia Police Constabulary, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Worcestershire County Council and HMP Aylesbury.

You can also take part in workshops devoted to CV writing, interview skills, recruitment and assessment techniques. And you'll have the chance to talk to guest speakers, and visit potential employers - as well as getting help to apply for work and postgraduate study.

Our Counselling Psychology degree will allow you to apply for further study, in order to pursue the following careers:

  • Chartered Counsellor
  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Counselling Psychologist

Please note: at this level, students will not practice formal counselling skills. Successful completion of the degree could lead to further training to become a psychologist or counsellor.

You could also explore psychology-related postgraduate courses or careers in:

  • Education
  • Health
  • Academia
  • Sport
  • Forensics

Take a look at these external resources for more information on Psychology careers:

Two students are walking next to each other and smiling

Careers and Employability

Our Graduates pursue exciting and diverse careers in a wide variety of employment sectors.

Find out how we can support you to achieve your potential
Costs

Fees and funding

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2025/26 academic year is £9,250 per year (subject to changes in the government tuition fee cap).

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2025/26 academic year is £16,700 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the academic year 2025/26 are £1,156 per 15-credit module, £1,542 per 20-credit module, £2,312 per 30-credit module, £3,083 per 40-credit module, £3,469 per 45-credit module and £4,625 per 60 credit module (subject to changes in the government tuition fee cap).

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Additional costs

We highly recommend student membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS). Student membership starts from £28.80.

Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses.

If your course offers a placement opportunity, you may need to pay for an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Halls' at £131 per week to 'Ensuite Premium Halls' at £228 per week (2025/26 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.

How to apply