Psychology with Counselling

Psychology with counselling is a degree designed for students who want to combine the scientific study of mind and behaviour with the practical relational and therapeutic skills that counselling requires. Psychology provides the theoretical and empirical foundations across the full range of psychological domains, developing understanding of cognition, emotion, development, social behaviour, and individual differences alongside the research methods skills needed to evaluate evidence critically. Counselling training adds a dimension of reflective, relational practice, developing self-awareness, empathetic listening, therapeutic communication, and the professional ethics that are central to working with people in distress.

Together, the two strands prepare graduates who are scientifically grounded and practically capable in the helping professions.

At York St John University, this three-year full-time BPS-accredited degree with a foundation year, sandwich year, and year abroad develops both dimensions of the programme with genuine depth. BPS accreditation means the degree confers the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership, which is the academic prerequisite for postgraduate professional training in clinical, counselling, educational, health, or forensic psychology. You will conduct research in different areas of psychology, including counselling psychology, within dedicated laboratories, developing the empirical skills that professional psychology careers require.

The placement year provides direct professional experience, and the year abroad extends your cultural and academic perspective on both psychology and counselling.

Graduates are well prepared for careers in mental health services, healthcare, education, social care, human resources, and the voluntary sector, as well as for postgraduate professional training in psychology or counselling. The BPS accreditation and counselling skills foundation make the degree particularly well suited to students who are committed to developing therapeutic practice at postgraduate level. Many graduates continue to professional qualification programmes in counselling psychology, clinical psychology, or psychotherapy, while others build careers in mental health support, research, and health promotion.