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“At the University of Bolton, we take great pride in providing a quality, supportive learning environment for our students.” Professor George E Holmes DL | President & Vice Chancellor
“...tutors are very supportive and you’re not just a student ID number, at this university you are an individual with a name.” Ellisse Vernon | BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
BSc (Hons) Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling
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 degree offers core knowledge in these three disciplines and the opportunity to gain ABC accredited qualifications in counselling skills.
Key information
Award:
BSc (Hons)
Mode of Study:
Part-time
Duration:
4.5 years
Location:
University of Bolton
UCAS points:
112
Start date:
23/01/2023, 25/09/2023
Course Details
Psychology is a core component of psychotherapy and counselling, and the University of Bolton offers one of the oldest and most established psychology courses in the UK. Taught at our town-centre campus in Greater Manchester, our BSc (Hons) Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling degree gives you the chance to learn about the interaction between these disciplines, appreciate the diversity of perspectives involved, and understand their therapeutic use.
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.
Highlights
Our Psychology courses are ranked top 10 in the UK and first in Greater Manchester for student satisfaction for the fourth year running, according to the Complete University Guide 2022.
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 2 and Level 3 Certificates in Counselling Skills conferred by ABC Awards.
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.
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 methods that include lectures, small group work, discussion groups, case studies, counselling skill demonstrations, psychoeducation sessions 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.
Professional recognition
Successful completion of the University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling degree 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 "Introduction to Counselling Concepts" (PPC4001) you’ll gain the ABC Accredited Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills.
Through the successful completion of the module "Counselling Skills" (PPC5001) you’ll gain the ABC Accredited Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills.
You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics.
You may be required to attend an interview and/or provide a portfolio of work.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
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.
Our BSc (Hons) Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling degree 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 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
Course fees
Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £6,000 for the academic year 2022/23.
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2022-2023 academic year:
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.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the
normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in
March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
For 2022-2023 entry, the maximum government approved undergraduate tuition fee for UK students is £9,250 per year.
The University is able to charge this fee subject to an approved Access and Participation Plan for 2022-2023 and its current rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:
You may apply directly to the University using the University's online application form. Please select your chosen
start date from the list below:
You should have to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course –
you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be
someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format.
Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page.
If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data
you have already input.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Admissions Team on 01204 903394
or admissions@bolton.ac.uk
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the
restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in
September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our
Course Search.
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For valued members of the University of Bolton Group and progressing students, we try to make our application
process as simple and as fast as possible.
By selecting the link for your chosen course from the list shown below, you will be taken directly to our
online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this, and ensure you upload all
supporting documents such as certificates and your personal statement when you apply.
When you are asked to add a contact email address, please ensure you add your college/university email
account address as well as your personal address. If you do not add your college address as your contact
address, we will be unable to identify you as a partner and offer you the benefits of being part of our group.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select
the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including email addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format.
Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page.
If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or
UGadmissions@bolton.ac.uk
We look forward to receiving your application and you continuing your academic journey with us!
The overall teaching and learning strategy for our BSc (Hons) Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling 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.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
Academic Language and Skills 5
Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
Cognitive and Biopsychological Perspectives
Understanding the Person
Contemporary Issues in Psychology
Application of Psychology
Introduction to Counselling Concepts
Cognitive Psychology
Biopsychology
Social and Critical Psychology
Research Methods in Psychology
Personality and Developmental Psychology
Counselling Skills
The Honours Project
Psychology of Loss and Trauma
The Therapeutic Process
Cyber Psychology and New Media
Social Neuroscience
Psychology of Mental Health
Applications of Counselling Skills
Young Life and the Mind
Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Assessment methods
Level
Assesment method
Level one
Coursework 70%, Written exams 30%
Level two
Coursework 64%, Written exams 36%
Level three
Coursework 100%
Learning activities
Level
Learning activity
Level one
Guided independent study 66%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 34%
Level two
Guided independent study 74%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 26%
Level three
Guided independent study 75%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 25%
Disclaimer
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.
