Psychology with Counselling with Foundation Year

Psychology with counselling is a degree designed for students who want to combine a rigorous scientific understanding of the mind and behaviour with practical grounding in the therapeutic skills and relational approaches that underpin counselling and psychological therapy. Psychology as a science addresses questions about perception, cognition, emotion, development, social behaviour, and mental health through empirical research and theoretical analysis. Counselling psychology builds on that foundation to focus on therapeutic relationships, psychological wellbeing, and the application of evidence-based approaches in clinical contexts.

At York St John University, this four-year full-time degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society, which means it provides the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership needed to pursue further training as a chartered psychologist. You will engage with key areas of psychological study, from cognitive and developmental psychology to social, biological, and clinical perspectives, and will develop the skills and theoretical understanding needed for careers in psychological therapy. Research is central to the programme, with access to dedicated laboratories in which you will design and conduct studies across different areas of psychology, including counselling psychology.

The degree includes a sandwich year, a year abroad option, and work placements. A foundation year is available for students who need to build their academic foundation. The typical entry tariff is 120 UCAS points.

Graduates of this programme pursue careers in counselling, psychological therapy, mental health services, educational psychology, occupational psychology, research, and the broader health and social care sector. The BPS accreditation is an important foundation for those who want to train further as chartered psychologists or counselling psychologists. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in clinical, counselling, or educational psychology, or professional training in psychotherapy, building on the solid scientific and applied foundation the undergraduate degree provides.