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BSc (Hons) Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling with International foundation year

Award

BSc (Hons)

Start Date

20/09/2027

Duration

4 years

Mode

Full-time

Location

University of Greater Manchester

UCAS Points

48

UCAS Code

C859

It's good to talk, and professional counsellors and psychotherapists are in growing demand in these pressured times. Our British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling with international foundation year degree offers core knowledge in these three disciplines and the opportunity to gain SEG accredited qualifications in counselling skills.

Please note:
This course is 'Subject to Approval' and has not yet completed the University’s approvals process. Whilst we are confident that the course will be approved, there is the possibility that the course may not run or may be subject to alterations. This course is due to be validated by October 2026 after which we will write to all applicants who have applied for the course to let them know the outcome and of any changes. In the event that a course is not approved the University will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative course at the University.

Course Overview

This course includes an integrated foundation year specifically designed for international students, allowing you to use a single visa throughout your undergraduate studies. The foundation year will help you become familiar with the teaching and assessment methods used in UK higher education while developing your English language skills to the level required for advanced undergraduate research and academic writing. Successfully completing the foundation year with the required grades will enable you to progress directly to the first year of your undergraduate degree, without the need to reapply.

Psychology is a core component of psychotherapy and counselling, and the University of Greater Manchester offers one of the oldest and most established psychology courses in the UK. Taught at our town-centre campus in Bolton, our BSc (Hons) Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling with international foundation year degree gives you the chance to learn about the interaction between these disciplines, appreciate the diversity of perspectives involved, and understand their therapeutic use.

At the degree level, our friendly and experienced team will guide you as you develop knowledge of the theories, methods and debates central to the three core elements. We'll support you as you explore psychology, gain specific counselling skills, and consider broader social issues that impact the roles of psychotherapist and counsellor, such as assumptions, stereotyping, diversity and prejudice. We'll also focus on developing your knowledge and skills in using psychological research methods and your appreciation of the ethical issues involved.

Interpersonal and transferable skills are vital, so we'll challenge you to develop sought-after communication, problem-solving, numerical, analytical, self-management, and IT skills. Overall, our dedicated team will focus on helping you gain the skills employers value and a detailed understanding of psychology, counselling and psychotherapy.
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Highlights

  • This course is one of only a few Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling degrees in the country accredited by the British Psychological Society. Accredited as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC), this degree is the first step toward becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
  • Integrated into this degree are opportunities for you to gain accredited qualifications in counselling skills. Through successfully completing this degree, you'll also achieve the Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills conferred by SEG Awards.
  • You’ll study the same content as UK students, developing your subject knowledge and academic skills. During the foundation year, you’ll also take a specialist English for Academic Purposes module designed to strengthen your academic language and study skills, supporting your progression and achievement.
  • We emphasise interpersonal, transferable and employability skills as well as academic success. After graduation, you may have the opportunity to progress onto a professional qualification in applied psychology, such as our MSc in Counselling and Positive Psychology.
  • We focus strongly on employability skills and the practical application of your studies as well as academic success. Workshops will involve analysing life events and role-playing scenarios using case study material. You can also benefit from final year applied sessions in counselling skills.
  • Throughout your degree, you'll also have support from your personal tutor, part of our team of helpful and approachable psychology staff who possess a diverse range of research interests.
  • We've invested in creating a learning environment that offers innovative methods of teaching and assessment using top-class facilities, such as our observation laboratory with video cameras, microphones and video editing equipment.
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Key Features

  • Throughout the programme, we stress the applied nature of psychology, emphasising learning through experience to help prepare you for further professional qualifications in psychology, counselling or psychotherapy.
  • We'll explain the principles and methods of psychological research, including the collection, analysis, reporting and interpretation of data. During your final year, you'll have the opportunity to carry out an individual research study.
  • Teaching is dynamic and varied, using lectures, small group work, discussion groups, case studies, demonstrations and laboratory workshops. You'll be encouraged to take responsibility for your own learning with opportunities for you to participate and gain practical experience.
  • Our highly-qualified staff have substantial experience in the field. Trained and practising counsellors deliver the counselling and psychotherapy elements, bringing real-time and real-world experiences and case studies into their teaching. We also aim to give you the best possible opportunity to achieve your true potential by offering personal supervision throughout the course.
  • By choosing to study with us, you'll have the chance to enjoy Bolton's many shops, bars, restaurants and leisure facilities. Manchester, one of the UK's most multicultural and lively cities, is less than 20 minutes away by train. Not forgetting, the North West of England is renowned for its beautiful countryside, coastline and heritage. This makes the University of Greater Manchester an ideal base from which to explore some of the best cultural and outdoor activities the UK offers.
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Entry Requirements
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Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

Career Opportunities

Our BSc (Hons) Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling with international foundation year course offers an ideal combination of subjects if you're looking for a career helping people or want to undertake further training in counselling psychology, psychotherapy, or other applied psychology professions.

Upon completing the course, you'll be able to demonstrate graduate skills such as problem-solving, critical evaluation and independence of thought, deductive reasoning, interpersonal awareness and excellent teamwork and communication skills.

What can I do with this qualification?

Our BSc (Hons) Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling with international foundation year graduates can find work in many different settings and industries. In recent years, there has been a rapid expansion in applying counselling skills in all aspects of everyday life. This has led to roles in numerous organisations, including the NHS, police service, prison service, secondary schools, further and higher education, mental health, civil service and social work departments. Employment in these roles often involves working with adults or children and young people dealing with issues such as relationship difficulties, anxiety, grief and mental health problems.

Some of the more prominent job roles include clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, teacher, mental health worker, social worker, police officer and counsellor. Relevant experience and postgraduate study are required for some of these roles.

Psychology graduates with British Psychological Society (BPS) accreditation will be able to progress onto professional qualifications in applied psychology. If you wish to pursue a career in counselling and psychotherapy, this course serves as an excellent forerunner to our MSc Counselling and Positive Psychology degree and MSc Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapies course.

As a graduate, you'll also possess the scientific knowledge and understanding embedded in the psychological elements of this degree. Skills such as problem-solving and data analysis should be helpful for careers in healthcare, law enforcement, finance, IT and research.

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use the qualification to step into a range of other careers. Relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required for some of these roles. Some of these careers include:

  • Coaching and guidance services
  • Mentoring
  • Family mediation
  • Teaching and education
  • Nursing
  • Retail management
  • Human resources
  • Market research
  • Social work
  • Psychological wellbeing practitioner
  • Mental health support worker
Professional Recognition

Successful completion of the University of Greater Manchester's BSc (Hons) Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling with international foundation year course is approved as conferring eligibility for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS), provided the minimum standard of qualification of second class honours is achieved.

The BPS acts as the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK. The GBC provides a basis for progression to society-accredited postgraduate professional training in psychology for training to become a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol).

Through the successful completion of the module "Counselling Skills" (PPC5002), you’ll gain the SEG Accredited Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills.

Fees & Funding

Funding your studies: From January 2027, eligible students may be able to use the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) to access tuition fee loan funding for this course. The LLE is designed to make student finance more flexible and support people to study, retrain or develop their skills at different stages of life. Find out more about the LLE and eligibility Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) | Skills for Careers

Home/EU Fees

No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.

International Fees

No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.

Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

Home Undergraduate Tuition Fee Adjustment

The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The tuition fee set is based on the regulations and guidance in force at the time of offer but remains subject to adjustment in accordance with any government-approved inflationary increase. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for all years of study, including the first year, by no more than the maximum increase permitted under legislation and regulatory guidance issued by the UK Government and the Office for Students.

Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.

This approach ensures that tuition fees remain compliant with applicable legislation, proportionate to inflationary changes, and consistent with government policy linking permitted fee uplifts to the maintenance of high-quality education and outcomes. For more information, please refer to the government guidance at: gov.uk – Universities to deliver better outcomes in return for full fees.

Postgraduate and International Tuition Fee Adjustment

The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for subsequent years of study in accordance with its Course Fees Policy. Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.

How to apply

Home Applicants

Unfortunately, due to the limited number of places available for this course, we cannot accept direct applications from home students at this time. Please visit www.ucas.com to see details of the next available start date and learn how to apply for a place. We encourage you to apply as soon as applications open.

International Applicants

Thank you for your interest

In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.

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Teaching & Assessment

The overall teaching and learning strategy for our BSc (Hons) Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling with international foundation year is student-centred. We use a blended approach, meaning you'll have face-to-face sessions, sometimes one-to-one, and take part in online learning. You can expect a mix of seminars, lectures and tutorials, practical classes, laboratory workshops, videos, self-directed study, IT and library sessions, and guided study. The University's e-learning portal Moodle will support your online learning and provide a convenient way for you to communicate with fellow students who are studying the same modules. We'll also encourage you to use the internet for research.

Guest lectures and presentations by various visiting speakers from relevant employment areas will allow you to develop your knowledge and understanding further.

Our assessment strategy is designed to help you organise and develop your learning and evaluate your achievements. You can expect time-constrained exams and coursework, such as essays, practical reports, statistical assignments, seminar and poster presentations, and portfolios. These contribute to your final marks and allow you to demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for the course. Your assessed work is submitted online via Moodle, with feedback also given through this portal.

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.

Programme Contacts

Disclaimer: The “Greater Manchester Way” represents our preferred teaching and learning approach; however, not all courses follow a block-teaching model. While course structures and delivery patterns may vary to meet Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements, all courses benefit from the GM Way approach to curriculum design and assessment. Applicants and students should refer to individual course specifications for the most accurate and up-to-date information.