Guidance and Counselling

Guidance and counselling is a discipline concerned with the principles, skills, and practices through which individuals can be supported in exploring their thoughts, feelings, and circumstances and in finding their own ways forward. It draws on psychology, counselling theory, and reflective practice, and it develops both the interpersonal capabilities and the professional understanding needed to work effectively in roles where supporting others is central. The skills it develops are relevant across a wide range of helping professions, from careers advice and educational support to mental health services and social care.

At the University of Northumbria, this three-year full-time programme provides a foundation for those who wish to use guidance and counselling strategies within a broader job role, as well as for those who want to progress to further professional training in counselling or a related field. A sandwich year is built into the degree, giving you the opportunity to gain professional experience before your final year. A year abroad is also incorporated, and work placement is part of the programme, giving you substantial applied and international experience alongside your academic studies.

You will study counselling theory and skills, guidance approaches, psychology of human development, group work, and the ethical and professional frameworks that govern helping relationships.

You will develop core counselling skills including active listening, empathic response, reflection, and the ability to facilitate constructive conversations with people in difficult circumstances. These are capabilities valued across a wide range of professional contexts.

Graduates go on to work in careers advisory services, student support, mental health services, social work, education, youth work, community development, and a range of other helping and advisory roles. Many pursue further professional training in counselling, psychotherapy, or related fields, or postgraduate study in counselling, psychology, or social care. The degree provides a genuine foundation for further development in the helping professions.