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This module aims to introduce students to the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour. The core principles and skills within psychology inquiry and learning will be explored. It aims to define psychology and provide understanding of evidence-based psychological practice, and the implications of research methodology behind the evidence base, for assessing individual sources contribution to developing knowledge. Students will be introduced to key methodologies within psychology research and explore the philosophical stance underpinning these methodologies. In addition, this module aims to identify academic skills needed to succeed in a psychology degree course and will focus on the development of ethical, legal, reflective and academic practice within psychology. Students will explore their personal development of learning through the application of psychological theories and concepts with an emphasis on developing a coherent skill set based on critical thinking and deeper understanding of empirical psychological science. Students will be given the opportunity to apply content from this module to their specific programme area through activities such as class discussions, seminar activities and readings, and individual and group work. Implications of the module requirements for student employability will be reflected on.
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This module offers an introduction to a range of applications in psychology and explores the various professional pathways in psychology practice. It aims to enhance knowledge of the application of psychological theory to the real world and examines the role of evidence-based practice and scientific method in guiding the work of professionals in a range of applied contexts, such as health, legal, organisational and educational settings. This module aims to develop the employability of students through an enhanced awareness of the range of available career pathways open to psychology graduates. The role of regulatory bodies such as British Psychological Society (BPS) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) are explored in relation to professional development and practice. Consideration will be given to the research methodology underpinning the evidence based explored within this module. Implications of the module requirements for student employability will be reflected on.
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This module will introduce students to the strengths, limitations and ethical issues associated with qualitative and quantitative research design. It will enable students to explore in greater depth the underlying principles and epistemological bases of both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Students will examine the key similarities and differences between these approaches, whilst appreciating the strengths and limitations of such approaches in addressing psychological research questions. Students will consider a range of data collection techniques (e.g., observations, interviews, simple experiments, and psychometric instruments) to consolidate their knowledge and experience of such methods. Students will be equipped with a critical understanding of different quantitative research designs that will be considered in regard to important methodological concerns such as validity and reliability, and students will be aware of the implications of different research designs for the selection and use of different descriptive and inferential analytical techniques. Students will appreciate how appropriate descriptive quantitative analysis can be used to effectively characterise and summarize batches of data, whilst also providing them with tools for preliminary data screening and exploration. Students will develop their understanding of hypothesis testing, probability and important related concepts such as statistical significance, type 1 and type 2 errors, statistical power, estimation and confidence intervals, and how these relate to choices of research design and analytical alternatives. Students will be introduced to the basic principles behind parametric and non-parametric statistical tests of difference, association, and correlation, and will be introduced to simple linear regression; furthermore, students will have the opportunity to conduct such analyses using appropriate statistical software. General principles of qualitative design (developing research questions, interviewing, focus groups) will be explored. Students will develop their understanding of application of analysis in qualitative research by introduction to data analysis (coding). Students will be given the opportunity to apply content from this module to their specific programme area through activities such as class discussions, seminar activities and readings, and individual and group work, and implications of the module requirements for student employability will be reflected on. Students will be introduced to the BPS’s current Code of Ethics and Conduct, and have the opportunity to see its application in their empirical work. The distinction between behaving ethically and legally will also be investigated.
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This module will introduce students to the three main theories of counselling used in the UK, but with a particular focus on the Humanistic Approach. Alongside which, students will develop their ethical and professional awareness. There will be opportunities to begin to develop the process of self-reflection. Students will have the opportunity to practice using Humanistic Skills in a counselling skills scenario.
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This module extends students’ knowledge and understanding beyond the humanistic approach to include a second major therapeutic tradition: the psychodynamic approach. Following a grounding in the historical influences of this approach, students will gain an understanding of core psychodynamic theory and associated practice, with emphasis on those that are most applicable to counselling, and to include the central focus on unconscious communication.
Psychology with Counselling Studies BSc (Hons)
Honours Degree, Undergraduate, September 2025
Key Details
- 8C57 Course Code
- 3 Years
- 112 Typical UCAS Tariff
Psychology with Counselling Studies is an ideal combination if you’d like to move into a career in the helping professions, or to undertake postgraduate training in applied psychology professions. Knowledge and understanding of human behaviour, counselling and people skills are key asserts for working with individuals or teams.
Throughout this degree you’ll gain understanding of all the core domains of psychology such as Research Methods, Social Psychology, Individual Differences, Cognitive Psychology, Biological Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Historical and conceptual Issues of Psychology, where you will explore how the core domains help us to understand mind and behaviour in everyday settings.
Alongside this, you’ll complete carefully curated counselling modules which link theory, research and skills to the therapeutic context and reflective practice.
This programme will enable you to explore professional and ethical issues in psychology and counselling context – which are applicable to many professional contexts where listening, and understanding are important, such as teaching, nursing and social work. And while this psychology with counselling studies programme does qualify you to practise as a counsellor, psychotherapist or counselling or clinical psychologist. The Psychology with counselling studies programme places you in an excellent position to pursue further training as psychologist, counsellor, or psychotherapist upon graduation. Thus, the programme offers excellent preparation for advancing your knowledge and skills in these fields.
GBC
This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), thus students gaining at least a Lower Second Class Honours Degree are eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) with the BPS, which means you will have taken your first step towards becoming a professional psychologist.
- This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Students on the Psychology and Counselling Studies programme gain knowledge, understanding and skills in all the core domains of psychology, whilst also studying key areas of counselling theory, ethics, and their applications.
- Due to the wide range of generic skills, and the rigour with which they are taught, training in psychology and counselling is an excellent foundation that supports entry into a broad range of careers.
During the first year of study (level 4), you are introduced to psychology and counselling studies as related yet distinct disciplines. During this year of the study, you are introduced to the core domains and applications of psychology and learn a range of study skills and research methods that will form the building blocks for your studies at levels 5 (second year) and 6 (final year ). Alongside this, you are introduced to core counselling theories and the associated skills taking under consideration the professional and ethical issues within psychology and counselling context.
In the second year of this programme (level 5), quantitative and qualitative approaches of scientific inquiry are further explored, providing deeper understanding of research methods to enhance you awareness further to engage ethically and effectively. During this year of the study, you will also deepen your knowledge and understanding further of the core domains within psychology, such as, cognition, biological, social, individual differences, and development, and enhance your understanding of counselling theories and application through a specific counselling studies modules.
In the final year (level 6) of study, you will undertake an empirical dissertation in Psychology and Counselling Studies, an opportunity to conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a psychology tutor on your chosen field within Psychology and Counselling Studies. An important feature of level 6 modules is the availability of optional modules focusing on areas of applied psychology and topics embedded within counselling studies where you can choose to specialise in areas of particular interest to you.
One – 20 credit module equates to 36 hours of scheduled contact time and 164 hours of independent learning. Each year you will study 120 credits.
We pride ourselves on giving academic and individual support to each of our students. Teaching is varied and we use a wide variety of assessment strategies designed to help you develop a range of skills which will be useful in the modern workplace. Assessment methods vary from research reports, interventions proposals, portfolios, presentations, and posters, critiques, case studies. There are no examinations on this programme.
Upon completion of this programme, students will be furnished with an invaluable toolkit of transferable skills that will enable them to pursue a range of career opportunities.
Many graduates aim to enter the various psychological and therapeutic professions through specific postgraduate training, including counselling psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, health, clinical, forensic, occupational, and educational psychology. You may also choose to go on to further professional training in counselling at postgraduate level leading to professional accreditation. You might progress into a variety of other careers, typically in people orientated and helping roles – for example, social work, personnel, marketing, health or rehabilitation. The course is useful preparation for further training in any career in which psychology and counselling skills may be useful, including teaching, nursing, and voluntary sector work.
Birmingham Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.
Studying at Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.
Dining out
Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).
Entertainment
Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!
Location
Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!
Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?
Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.
Entry Requirements
UK home students
Entry requirements, for UK home students, for September 2025 entry:
- 112 UCAS points
UK Applying Direct Option
International students
If you are an international student, please get in touch with our International team who will be able to advise on entry criteria for this course. Email international@newman.ac.uk or telephone +441218160449.
International Applying Direct option
To apply for this course, you can apply direct using the apply link provided below:
Please note that courses with a professional placement are not available to International students.
Course Fees
UK home students
The full-time course fee, for UK home students, for September 2025 is £9,535 per year.
International students
The full-time course fees and funding, for International students, for September 2025 are:
- Undergraduate Taught: £12,500 tuition fee
- International Excellence Scholarship: £1,500
All International Students who apply in 2024/25 will be eligible for the International Excellence Scholarship which will be automatically applied to their offer as a tuition fee reduction.
Additional Costs
Find out more about the other additional costs associated with our undergraduate degrees.
The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).
Modules
Please be aware that, as with any course, there may be changes to the modules delivered, for information view our Changes to Programmes of Module Changes page.
Timetables: find out when information is available to students
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This module gives students knowledge of the most recent developments within the Cognitive Behavioural Approach. Students will gain an understanding of the historical influences of this approach and the theoretical assumptions. There will be a focus on how to apply cognitive behavioural approaches to practice, and an opportunity to critically reflect upon cognitive behavioural concepts in light of other counselling theories. There will be opportunities for students to continue to develop their ethical and professional awareness, and opportunities to continue the process of self-reflection.
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This tutored double module provides students with the opportunity to select an area of particular interest to them within the field of Psychology and to design, plan and execute an in-depth empirical research project in their chosen area. Students will be required to produce a brief initial research proposal, for discussion with their supervisor. The proposal is then used as a basis for developing an application for Newman University ethical approval, which must be achieved prior to commencing data collection. The research design should include either quantitative and/or qualitative analyses and draw upon and critically evaluate a range of both classic and contemporary research findings throughout. A poster presentation detailing the research process and findings will also be an assessed element.
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This module builds upon the second year module Human Development: An Ethological Approach (PYU516) and applies an understanding of contextualised development in an educational setting. Educational Psychology explores various and seemingly discrete issues associated with the dynamic between teaching and learning. These issues include the qualities of a good teacher, the environment of the classroom, the form and function of assessment, diversity and the use of blended approaches to teaching and learning. This module also affords students the opportunity to work in groups to ascertain various pragmatic issues that may confront practicing educational psychologists in the field. Consideration will be given to the research methodology underpinning the evidence based explored within the area this module explores by means of critical reviews of research papers Implications of the module requirements for student employability will be reflected on.
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This module examines child and adolescent development in the context of family, society and culture, and explores a range of issues that arise in relation to therapeutic work with children and young people. The principles of multi-agency work will be explored. Students will study models of development and attachment as well as factors that contribute to resilience and vulnerability.
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This module is for level 6 students who wish to select this module option to explore therapeutic understandings surrounding bereavement and loss. The module will explore counselling theories of bereavement, complications of grieving, therapeutic approaches to grieving, mourning across cultures and other kinds of losses. It will draw upon relevant literature and research to consider these areas.
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This module will provide students with knowledge and understanding of coaching and mentoring and how to promote positive change using solution focused, evidence-based interventions. Students will develop knowledge of theoretical concepts underpinning coaching and mentoring through the application of theory to practice. Students will learn about recent evidence-based developments within coaching, mentoring and positive psychology and identify conditions required to facilitate growth and success. There will be opportunities for students to continue to develop and critically reflect upon their ethical and professional awareness and continue the process of self-reflection.
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This module gives students knowledge of the most recent developments within Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. There will be a focus on how to apply cognitive behavioural approaches to practice, and an opportunity to critically reflect upon third wave cognitive behavioural concepts. There will be opportunities for students to continue to develop and critically reflect upon their ethical and professional awareness, and continue the process of self-reflection.
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This module will introduce theories of addictions, and ways of working therapeutically with addiction. Definitions and explanations of addiction and addictive/compulsive behaviour will be explored, alongside knowledge of common drugs of abuse. Contemporary approaches, methods of assessment and treatment plans will be considered. A range of effective ways of working therapeutically with addictions will be introduced and critically evaluated.
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The module guides students through the counselling process from the point of referral, to the first session, middle stages and ending of the counselling relationship. It also introduces students to the role and importance of supervision.
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This module is for level 6 students who wish to select this module option. The module will explore secular Mindfulness-based approaches to wellbeing including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. Students will explore the historical development of these approaches and their application to working therapeutically with counselling clients and other service users. This module will be substantially experiential, providing regular experiences of practice. It will draw upon relevant literature and research in the field as well as a comprehensive module handbook and meditation audios for the experiential part of the course. Students will be expected to engage in meditation classes.
Additional Information
General Academic Regulations: Terms and Conditions for students attending our courses