BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling with Foundation Year

Course Overview

During your foundation level you’ll gain the skills and confidence you need to complete your undergraduate degree with confidence. You’ll learn study skills in areas such as numeracy, research methods, and working collaboratively. You’ll also study two introductory modules in psychology and counselling. After your foundation year you’ll study the main psychology curriculum areas such as social, cognitive, biological, and developmental psychology and research methods. Alongside this, you will also have the opportunity to take counselling specific modules including; Counselling Psychology, Core Counselling Skills, Health and Psychological Well-being, Psychological Assessment and Managing the Therapeutic Process.

Studying this specialised undergraduate counselling course with Arden will provide you with multiple future career and study options. You’ll have access to modern, digital learning tools as you study and you’ll also have full support from Arden dedicated academic team, who are internationally respected industry practitioners, published authors and PhD holders in the field of psychology.

Course details and modules

On the course you’ll study subject modules that have been created specifically to help you gain career focused skills in professional counselling. Your studies will culminate with choosing an area of counselling practice on which to focus and produce your own research project at the end of your final year. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the confidence and ability to apply your knowledge of psychology to a range of exciting career paths and further learning opportunities.

Throughout the course you’ll have one-to-one support from your lecturers and academic skills tutors, as well as frequent invitations to online coffee mornings with your fellow students and staff and personal academic tutor support sessions. You’ll also be able to start developing industry links and networks by attending sessions with guest speakers from a wealth of areas, including policing, the NHS, and the UK Fire Service. Above all,Arden’s academic team, who come from a range of professional and cultural backgrounds, will help you learn through real-world context, helping you understand how your new skills are best applied in practice.

How do Arden University assess students?

AU assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

Modules

You have between 4 to 12 years to complete this course, which means you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of AU students, however, aim to complete the course within 4 to 6 years.

Foundation year

Using Numeracy, IT and Data
Research Skills and Using Information
Values, Ethics and Working Collaboratively
Developing Academic Skills
Crime and Law in Context
Psychology of Everyday Life

Level 4

Introduction to Studying Psychology (20 credits)
Social Psychology (20 credits)
Introduction to Research Methods (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)
Introduction 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)

Study options

This course is available to study through Arden’s blended learning study mode at Arden’s campuses in London Tower Hill, London Holborn, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds.

Full-time blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose AU full-time blended learning study mode, you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden campus of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, Arden university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to AU Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face to face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of AUUK campuses.

If you’re a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of AU UK campuses) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on AU fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information about obtaining a student loan to cover your costs from your student finance body.

Entry requirements

At Arden University applications are consider on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree.Arden team is more than happy to discuss your application.

What do you need to study with us?

AU aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study your degree in a flexible and convenient way. That’s why Arden keep requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Please note that if you’re using a Chromebook, only those released in 2020 onwards support SPSS and Jamovi, which are essential requirements for the statistical elements of the course. Through ilearn, AUonline university campus in the cloud, you’ll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and AUonline library containing almost half a million texts, as well as creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.

Eligibility

To be able to study this course, we need to see that you have:

At least 3 x GCSEs or 45 credits at Level 2 or equivalent. If your qualifications are more than 3 years old AU may also ask to see your professional CV.
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.
AU also offer this course as a standard bachelor’s degree without foundation year. To view the course details, please click here.

Candidates are required to submit a personal statement (of between 350-550 words) or attend an interview demonstrating an ability to study for the programme. This statement should include:

Your motivation for undertaking the programme
Why you’ve chosen your particular course
Any long-term goals or career aspirations

Course fee

Blended	Fee
Fee Per Year	£ 9,250

Distance Learning	Fee
Fee Per Year	£ 6,935

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English, can be accepted.

Enquire Now

Apply for the Course

Career prospects

Counselling is an area of psychology that takes a person-centred approach, assisting individuals to explore their experiences and develop strategies for tackling maladaptive thoughts and behaviours. Counsellors work in a wide range of professional settings including; in-house for profit and non-profit organisations, government departments, and in private practice.

With a specialised degree in psychology with counselling, you’ll have a qualification that shows your commitment to working in professional practice. The course sets you up with a range of knowledge, skills, and abilities that will allow you to apply your learning confidently in your future career as a counsellor. Following BPS validation, the course will also open an exciting range of additional career paths in applied psychology.

What can I do after Arden University?

After successfully completing your BSc Psychology with Counselling with Foundation Year degree, you’ll have acquired a range of specialised skills that will demonstrate your drive and commitment to developing your 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, this course will also give you 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.
As well as roles in counselling, you’ll 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

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

Employers who have provided input into this course’s development include counselling psychologists, clinical psychologists, psychology practitioners, the UK fire service, independent consultants, and previous alumni who are now working across many varied professional areas. Because of this input, you’ll find that your course content has been tailored to help you fill current skills gaps in a range of careers and professions worldwide.

With such a wide choice of topics to learn about and different skills to master, you’ll graduate 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

Industrial Skills

The British Psychological Society (BPS)

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 British Psychological Society. 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.

You’ll have free membership of the BPS as soon as you enrol with us, which opens up a number of fantastic opportunities and professional resources for you, including:

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

Campaign for Social Science

Arden University is a member of the Campaign for Social Science.

The Campaign demonstrates how social science improves public policy, society, and all our lives. It highlights the value of applied social science research and advocates for its greater use in decision-making and in government. It is supported by a coalition of universities, social science societies, and publishers.

As a member, Arden receives access to case studies, research into the value provided by social sciences, and insights into the employability of social science graduates. Through this, you will gain a better understanding of the skills you are learning and their value to employers.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with our curriculum and your career goals.
Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.