Psychology with Counselling Studies BSc(Hons)

Top reasons to choose this course

• Our course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) – the UK’s independent regulator of the psychology profession.
• We follow the BPS curriculum which means the content of your course prepares you for entry to the profession and for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the BPS.
• Varied study methods – modules generally involve weekly lectures followed by seminars or practical sessions. These run alongside structured learning activities and independent study.
• Study all the major branches of psychology: developmental, cognitive, social and biological.
• Experienced and enthusiastic lecturers create an environment in which curious and critical future psychologists can develop and flourish.

• Our Psychology Research Laboratories are fully equipped to support a wide range of experimental and qualitative research, enhancing your learning experience.
• Placement opportunities let you put theory into practice, gain experience and make key contacts in the sector.
• Volunteering opportunities outside your course broaden experience and links with sector.
• Visiting lecturers share their experiences of working in industry.

Course structure 

Modules tend to be structured as weekly lectures followed by seminars or practicals, alongside structured learning activities and independent study.

In the first year you will be introduced to psychology and its research methods.

In the second year you will gain a strong understanding of core psychological concepts and practices, and the applications of psychology to a broad range of everyday problems, while learning about theoretical approaches to counselling and psychotherapy.

There is also the option of a community placement and opportunities for international study on our exchange programme. You can also opt to take a social science module.

In the final year, alongside your empirical dissertation, you will take two core modules in counselling that explore the skills and ethics of counselling practice and deepen your theoretical understanding of counselling and psychotherapy. In addition you will be able to choose two option modules from a selection that mostly explore contemporary applications of psychology.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up-to-date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you will be told about any new developments through Student View.

Year 1 

In your first year, you will be introduced to the core aspects of psychology. You will gain a thorough understanding of key psychological issues and debates, focusing on how psychological theory and research is applied to real-work issues and social problems. You will learn about the psychology of wellbeing – the social and psychological factors that can lead to happy and fulfilling lives – an essential component of counselling.

Modules

• Introduction to Applied Psychology

  You will look at the basic approaches and theories within psychology and consider issues of application in the field. Areas covered include an introduction to applied psychology; cyberpsychology; clinical and counselling psychology; community psychology; gender and sexuality; health psychology; forensic psychology; and positive psychology.

• Developmental Psychology

  This module addresses key issues in child development and lifespan development to provide you with an introduction to the field of developmental psychology. You will examine issues from infancy through middle childhood to adulthood, exploring how people develop through time. Content covers the broad themes of history and theories of childhood development; cognitive development; development through the lifespan; social development; culture and development; and atypical development.

• The Psychology of Wellbeing

  During this module you will be introduced to the notion of psychological wellbeing and consider research highlighting the social and psychological factors that can lead to happy and fulfilling lives. This domain is often associated with ‘positive psychology’, but in this module you will be developing a critical stance that goes beyond this perspective and takes into account social, cultural, environmental and political determinants of wellbeing, life satisfaction and quality of life.

• Psychology and Society

  This module introduces the social history of psychology and seeks to embed psychology within the social and historical contexts of its development, critically exploring how these contexts have shaped the aims, methods and outcomes of psychological theory and research. You will look at key issues, debates and approaches in psychology, and develop essential skills for higher education study, including reflexive learning, critical analysis, team working and independent study.

• Psychology Investigations – Practical Applications

  You will develop your understanding of research design and analysis, drawing on both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Indicative content includes probability and significance testing; normal distribution and sampling distribution; formulating research questions and choosing appropriate research design and analyses; data preparation and management; and analyses for experimental and correlational designs.

• Psychological Investigations – Foundations

  You will learn the quantitative and qualitative research skills and methods used in psychology and develop expertise in study design, data collection and analysis, and critical thinking. You will also develop the ability to communicate complex information such as research design, data, interpretation of findings and limitations.

Year 2 

In your second year you will specialise in counselling through a dedicated module that explores key theoretical approaches to counselling and psychotherapy. In addition you will take a number of psychology modules including one that explores psychological approaches to mental health and distress

You’ll also choose an option module. The Community Engagement module will help you apply some of the theory you’ve learnt out in the community, developing key employability skills and making key contacts in the sector.

Modules

Core modules

• Psychological Investigation: Becoming an Independent Researcher

  This module teaches you about quantitative and qualitative research methods relating to psychology, including advanced experimental design and multivariate analyses. You will gain experience in small-scale research projects and develop skills in reviewing literature, research design, data collection, data analysis and report writing.

• Counselling and Psychotherapy: Key Theoretical Foundations

  This module gives a broad overview of the key theoretical approaches within counselling and psychotherapy. You will explore psychodynamic, humanistic and cognitive behavioural perspectives and learn how these approaches differ in how they see the person, mental distress and the change process.

• Brain, Body and Cognition

  This module covers two core areas of psychology: biological psychology and cognitive psychology. You will gain a foundational knowledge and understanding of the biological basis of behaviour, including biological methods and ethical issues. You’ll explore classic and contemporary theory, research, debate and real-world applications of cognitive functions and their underlying physiology.

• Psychology Mental Health and Distress

  This module covers psychological understandings of mental health and distress. It looks at the role of biology, culture and history in the formulation of mental health problems and the role and validity of diagnoses in clinical management. It also evaluates psychological explanations, personal experiences and interventions for mental health and distress.

• Social Psychology and Individual Differences

  Introducing two main areas of psychology, this module will look at social psychology and the psychology of individual differences. Through theory, research, ethical considerations and real-world applications, it addresses the social, cultural, conceptual and historical issues related to our experiences in the social world and how these are influenced by disposition.

Options*

• Forensic Security

  This module introduces you to forensic psychology with a focus on security. You will explore the psychological and behavioural underpinnings of feelings of security. You’ll look at the psychological factors in various measures – such as raising awareness of crime in the community and identifying the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime – that police, government and security personnel take in ensuring the security of people in the community.

• Psychology Beyond the Barriers

  This module explores the structural barriers which impact people’s lives, how these are erected and maintained and what can be done to dismantle them. You will look at the role of mainstream psychology in perpetuating these barriers and use critical psychology tools to deconstruct the discipline. You will also study how psychological knowledge is produced and the role of language in constructing social realities.

• Community Engagement

  At the heart of this module is a 40-hour voluntary engagement within a local, not-for-profit organisation. You will also explore community engagement theory, reflect on your personal values and aspirations, and develop transferable skills through both theory and practice. You will develop awareness of broad social, structural and economic issues which impact the work of local not-for-profit organisations and the lived experiences of the communities they support.

• Innovative Research Methods and Analysis

  This module introduces modern and innovative research methods and analysis techniques used in academic and work environments. Taught within the context of contemporary, social issues, practical sessions will give you hands-on experience of using methodological and analytical techniques which you use to decide how different methods are used to examine a real-world social issue.

• Childhood, Psychology and Society

  This module examines the role of psychology in understanding contemporary issues that children face in society, including their education, health and wellbeing and involvement in the criminal justice system. You will critically evaluate current psychological interventions that are used with children and propose new and novel interventions.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placements

Spend a year on placement

Gain valuable experience and earn money during an optional placement year following year 2. You’ll return to the final year of your degree with added confidence, real-world experience and valuable contacts. 

A placement year significantly improves your CV, giving you a distinct advantage over others when applying for jobs and starting your career. It will also help you to develop the softer skills such as communication and teamwork.

For the assessed part of your placement, you will create a reflective piece of work on professional practice and skills. 

The university has links with a wide range of organisations including in health, culture and heritage, housing, councils, the police, the probation service, policy think tanks and charities.

Our dedicated Placements and Employability team will support you in getting a placement that meets with your interests and career ambitions. They can help with CVs and cover letter writing, applications, online testing and more. Plus, they’ll provide support and guidance when you’re on placement and make sure that everything is going well.

Other placement opportunities

In your second year, the Community Engagement option module offers the opportunity to engage with a local not-for-profit organisation and gain valuable hands-on experience. It’s a great opportunity to develop your vocational skills and gain practical work experience while contributing to the wider community. 

You will spend around 50 hours volunteering with an organisation, often working with vulnerable people in sometimes challenging situations. This will be supported and underpinned by organisational training, tutor support and in-class teaching covering theories of community engagement, organisational structure and culture, and reflective learning. 

Previous students have had placements with organisations including:

• CCHF All About Kids
• Centre for Ecotherapy
• Connect
• Samaritans
• MS Society
• Fresh Start
• Alzheimer’s Society
• Sussex Prisoners’ Families
• Age UK
• YMCA
• MindOut
• Trust for Developing Communities
• Healthwatch Brighton & Hove.

Final year 

In your final year you will undertake a Psychology Dissertation project which will reflect your own particular interests and career aspirations. You will further develop your counselling skills, learning how best to support individuals to reflect on their experiences and make positive changes in their lives.

You will also learn to appreciate how building an effective relationship between therapist and client shapes what changes it is possible for people to make. These knowledge and skills are the first step towards a career in the helping professions, but are also valued across a range of workplace environments and professions.

Modules

Core modules

• Counselling Skills and the Therapeutic Relationship

  You will study the therapeutic relationship from several theoretical perspectives in this module. Introducing basic counselling skills within a helping context, the module examines the professional skills and qualities that enhance therapeutic relationships and how issues of diversity can shape them. The professional ethic of the ‘reflective practitioner’ is used to highlight the importance of reflecting for developing personal skills, therapeutic relationships and working with diversity.

• Counselling Skills and Dilemmas: Case Studies

  This module will develop your theoretical and practical knowledge through the study of counselling situations and dilemmas. You will look at the issues facing counsellors and psychotherapists such as ethical dilemmas, risk assessment, self-disclosure, particular presentations and mental health concerns. You’ll examine scenarios to which you will apply a range of theoretical perspectives and explore what it may be like to work therapeutically in various situations via experiential exercises.

• Psychology Dissertation

  The Psychology Dissertation will enable you to initiate, design, conduct, analyse, interpret and report an empirical research study under supervision. As well as a series of lectures, workshops and online resources, you will attend tutorials which will guide extensive independent study culminating in a research report of 8,000 words maximum.

Options*

• Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Children

  This module explores childhood mood and anxiety disorders and how sleep problems, vicarious learning of fears, peer relations, coping strategies, consumer culture, resilience, friendships and exposure to crime relate to anxiety and intergenerational anxiety. You will explore the importance of early intervention and prevention strategies by evaluating evidence of their effectiveness and critically examine methods used within mood and anxiety research on children.

• Community Wellbeing and Social Justice

  This module looks at the practices, values and theories underpinning a social justice approach to community wellbeing and the diverse approaches used by psychologists to address inequalities-based challenges to wellbeing. It will cover topics including empowerment, marginalisation, participatory action research and creative methods. The module culminates in a Festival of Social Justice, in which you will work with other students to present social justice issues.

• Forensic Psychology

  This module will cover key areas of growth and development in forensic psychology and introduce relevant psychological perspectives. It encourages a deeper understanding of psychology in the forensic field and the social and political context in which it is applied. You will explore topics such as justice, expert testimony, witnesses, theories of offending behaviour, and psychological assessment of what is most effective, valued and fair in practice and policy.

• Ecopsychology and Ecotherapy

  The focus of this module is the relationship between humans, wellbeing and the natural environment set against the backdrop of climate change and wider ecological crisis. You will consider work in psychology and the social sciences which address these issues and how they interrelate, as well as looking at related practical interventions.

• Critical Addiction Studies

  You will study biological and psychological theories and models of addiction during this module and analyse government responses to substance use, including via drug and alcohol policy. You’ll look at historical and contemporary attitudes towards those who use drugs as well as reflecting on your own beliefs about and attitudes towards addiction and addicted people and how these inform and are informed by your experiences of the world.

• Sexualities

  This module will involve studying theoretical and methodological approaches to sex and sexualities, including biological, sexological, postmodern, feminist and queer perspectives. You will examine the role of psychology in defining ‘normal’ or ‘transgressive’ sexualities in historical and political contexts and explore social meanings and cultural representations of sexuality and how these intersect with gender ideologies.

• Psychology of Poverty

  This module will expand your understanding of poverty, social exclusion and related inequalities from several psychological vantage points. It will outline different perspectives on conceptualising, characterising and measuring poverty and you will learn different approaches to consider the impact of poverty on individuals and families while also exploring how poverty gets socially constructed.

• Power in the Psy Disciplines

  This module introduces a range of historical and contemporary uses of psychology and psychiatry which have been or still are ethically contentious. It addresses topics around the institutional and professional power of the ‘psy’ professions. This involves a sensitive and critical exploration of historical accounts, ethical standpoints, lived experiences and the influence of psychology and psychiatry in society.

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Lab facilities 

Mithras House has a series of lab spaces, which are used for teaching and student and staff research. 

VR and eye tracking lab
This lab is used for psychological research, specifically:

• eye-tracking research – eye-tracking (using an eye-tracking nano bar and eye-tracking glasses) is used to study visual attentional patterns across areas including CCTV observation and analysis, marketing and advertising research, and police and offender perceptions

• virtual reality research – VR allows participants to immerse themselves in virtual environments, so that researchers can study typically impractical situations. Research areas include the effects of virtual interactions, phobias, wellbeing, mediation, and city architecture

• measuring physiological responses within participants in response to external stimuli – equipment includes an electroencephalography (EEG) headset and Electrodermal Activity (EDA) equipment.

The space has adjustable lighting and a blackout blind for maintaining consistent lighting conditions during eye-tracking research, as well as sensors set up in the room to allow individuals to move freely around the room during virtual reality research.

Stats lab
A specialist workspace with computing equipment for statistical analysis and projects involving video and audio editing software. The lab contains eight acoustically treated booths for both recording and transcribing interviews undertaken as part of dissertation research and for recording and editing podcasts. The lab is accessible as a study space to students on psychology courses. 

Applied cognition lab
A dedicated research space for psychological research involving measures such as electrodermal activity (EDA) and electroencephalography (EEG). The space is designed to allow the participant and researcher to sit at separate desks whilst psychophysiological data is being collected. 

Life lab
The Life lab is fitted with lounge furniture to provide a comfortable space for conducting qualitative research with larger groups. The lab can be used to conduct research activities with children of all ages and can be used for meetings and events. The room also contains a dedicated space to conduct assessed role play or interviews with children.

City lab
This is a qualitative research methods and creative methods resource for all students, staff and researchers, as well as research participants, including children, community groups and the general public. It can also be used for a range of meetings and events. The City lab contains a kitchen, a teaching/meeting room with enhanced acoustic isolation and two meeting spaces that can be separated with a screen or combined to accommodate larger groups.

Community lab
A space designed for collaborative student learning, the Community lab is used by students and staff involved in the university’s Global Challenges programme – our collective mission to contribute towards solutions to tackle the pressing issues facing our world.

Design lab
Housing our extensive collection of historic dress and textiles which are used in some teaching on our History of Art and Design courses, this has the space and equipment to work on textile projects. Displays created by students on these programmes are on view in the social spaces of the building.

Take a video tour of the labs with technicians Andrea and Grace 

Meet the team 

Course fees

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Brighton Boost – cost of living help for our new undergrad students. Find out about how we can help with your study, accommodation or travel costs and more...
• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• Read our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf) for more on University of Brighton tuition fees.

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