Psychology with Counselling

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour, asking how we think, feel, learn, remember, and relate to one another, and why people differ in these respects. It draws on biology, neuroscience, sociology, and philosophy to build a rigorous understanding of mental processes and behaviour, and it generates knowledge that is relevant to virtually every aspect of human life. Counselling brings a practical application of that understanding, focusing on how skilled, empathic support can help people navigate difficulty, distress, and change.

At Teesside University, this three-year, full-time programme combines a strong grounding in psychological science with study of counselling theory and practice. You will develop the ability to read, evaluate, and critically engage with psychological research, building the skills to assess arguments, identify cognitive biases, evaluate evidence, and reason carefully about human behaviour. Alongside the scientific core, you will study therapeutic approaches and the communication and relational skills that effective counselling demands.

This combination gives you both the rigour of a research-informed discipline and an understanding of how psychological knowledge is applied in supportive and therapeutic contexts.

The programme is designed to develop you as a reflective, evidence-literate practitioner, able to think critically about both the science of psychology and the practice of helping people. Graduates go on to a wide range of careers in mental health, social care, the charity sector, education, and healthcare. Many pursue further training to qualify as counsellors or therapists, working in the NHS, private practice, or voluntary sector settings.

Others progress into roles in educational psychology, clinical psychology, or occupational psychology through postgraduate training routes. The degree also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study in psychology, counselling, social work, or related fields.