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Counselling Studies and Psychology, BA

University of Wales Trinity Saint David, the United Kingdom

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Study options for this course

The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
BAFull-time3 yearsfind outGBP 9000 per yearGBP 14900 per year

About Counselling Studies and Psychology, BA - at University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Course Overview

The often lively academic debate which pushes the boundaries between psychology and counselling regarding the nature of human behaviour and different therapeutic approaches stimulates in the students an appreciation of perspective-taking, empirical evidence and self-reflection, a combination not often nurtured in straight honours degree combinations.

This joint honours component offers a combination of a diverse student population and an experienced, research-active lecturing team, many of whom continue to practice professionally in their fields. This creates a stimulating learning environment that enhances students' enjoyment of the course.

The dedicated psychology facilities and positive atmosphere create an exciting learning experience for students that is further enhanced by having a team of lecturers working closely together, as well as with students themselves.

Teaching and learning for students is focused on:

  • encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving and research skills, including IT skills
  • enhancing understanding of the link between theoretical concepts and practical applications
  • assisting and guiding students at every level through small group seminars and personal tutor systems
  • supporting the development of a wide range of transferable and employability skills of students

It is also possible to study either joint honours combination with Education Studies. Please contact the programme team for further information.

The programmes of study in both single honours Psychology and the joint honours Counselling Studies and Psychology cover theory, evidence-base and their application to real-world issues. Both programmes of study allow students to go on immediately into general graduate areas of work, or to specialise in areas of psychology through further postgraduate study (e.g., MSc, MPhil, PhD).

The programmes are designed to allow students to go into a wide variety of settings and to enable them to apply the skills developed in many areas of work, at both a national and international level. The standards of the course are regulated by the British Psychological Society, ensuring that the quality of delivery is on a par with other UK Higher Education institutions.

There remains an opportunity for the programme to be awarded by the University of Wales.

Key Features

The joint honours Counselling Studies and Psychology programme provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of theoretical and conceptual issues within the disciplines of Counselling and Psychology. Within a supportive environment students will develop analytical and practical skills in order to develop their understanding of ethics, research and practice, and to improve their ability to write and present work appropriately.

While the development of knowledge, understanding and skills is supported throughout all course modules, independent learning is encouraged and developed throughout the programme. Additionally, specific teaching will develop IT and numeracy skills and will support those familiar or unfamiliar with the relevant technology. The range of assessments applied allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through a variety of methods.

The Psychology modules consider human cognition, behaviour, problems and social life from a number of different psychological perspectives.

Within the Psychology modules, students will explore issues including:

  • How does the social world influence the ways in which people think and behave?
  • How is 'mental illness' diagnosed and treated?
  • What are the links between brain structures and behaviour?
  • What influences human development?
  • What can be done to reduce prejudice and discrimination?

The Counselling modules explore a wide interdisciplinary format drawn from areas of philosophy, history, health and social care, Counselling theories, humanitarian ideologies and social policy.

The Counselling modules explore such issues as:

  • The development, understanding and provision of mental health
  • Therapeutic theories and their applications and current development
  • Health and social policy in relation to human need
  • Humanitarianism and its place in contemporary society
  • Moral and ethical issues in relation to care and caring practices.

Those graduating with a BA Counselling Studies and Psychology degree will have substantially enhanced their critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills, along with a range of further transferable skills, such as presentation and team working skills, IT and numeracy skills.

Modules

Each joint honours component offers 180 credits in total, 60 credits each at Levels Four, Five and Six, and is combined with one other joint honours component to provide the student with the 360 credits necessary for an Honours degree award.

There are no optional modules in Years One and Two within this degree structure for the Psychology or the Counselling Studies components, but there is an optional element to the Social Psychology element in the Year Three Psychology component. All students will be expected to pass every module in each completed component to graduate with a full honours degree.

For the Psychology component, while the majority of modules at Levels Five and Six are rated at 20 credits, at Level Six the Psychology dissertation is a 40-credit piece of work.

The Counselling Studies component takes students through a foundational year of year-long 20 credit modules. This is followed by an applied year of theory to practice, again with year-long 20-credit modules. The final year involves 10, 20 and 30 credit modules, which draws together the themes that have been addressed in the previous years.

Year 1 Modules:

  • Introduction to psychology
  • Academic Skills and Research Methods
  • Communication and Social Interaction
  • The History of Counselling as a Social Function
  • Introduction to Research and Employability
  • Contemporary Context of Counselling Skills

Year 2 Modules:

  • Developmental Psychology and Individual Differences
  • Research Design and Analysis
  • Brain, Behaviour and Cognition
  • Supporting Human Flourishing
  • Counselling Therapy Theories
  • Research Methods in Counselling

Year 3 Modules:

  • Prejudice and Discrimination*
  • Psychology Dissertation
  • Social Knowledge and Identity*
  • Post Modern Counselling Theories
  • Independent Project
  • Current Debates in Counselling

* - choose one

Professional Accreditations

'students who graduate with a minimum lower second class honours classification are eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society.

This indicates that students have met the curriculum requirements derived from the Quality Assurance Agency's (2007) subject benchmark statement for Psychology, and is often an important prerequisite for students wishing to go on to further postgraduate study or training in psychology.

Course Tutor(s)

  • Stacey Coleman
  • Ruth Groff
  • Carol Hughes
  • Bev Cole
  • Paul B. Hutchings
  • Dr Ceri Phelps
  • Catherine Slade
  • Dr Judith Marshall
  • Andrea Williams
  • Kate Williams

Assessment

This joint honours programme will offer a range of traditional and innovative assessment methods to give you the opportunity to extend your practical and academic skills and encourage your independent learning.

These will include traditional assessments such as academic essays and exams, plus to more innovative assessment methods such as academic posters, online assessments, group presentations and research proposals.

Career Opportunities

The post-graduate route is multifaceted and not all graduates will choose to pursue postgraduate qualifications in Psychology or in Counselling.

The structure, nature and content of this unique joint honours programme allows our students to develop strong analytical and transferable skills welcomed by many sectors including Education, Social Care, Nursing and allied professions, Business and HR.

Many of our non-standard entry students already have a professional career (recent examples include nursing, physiotherapy and careers in mental health) and use their degree to further their career.

Students who graduate with a minimum lower second class honours classification are eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society.

This indicates that students have met the curriculum requirements derived from the Quality Assurance Agency's (2007) subject benchmark statement for Psychology, and is often an important prerequisite for students wishing to go on to further post-graduate study or training in psychology.

Over the past five years the programme has seen a large proportion of its students graduating with 2.1 honours and above and progressing on to further postgraduate training on BPS-accredited postgraduate courses (popular routes being Master's in Clinical/Abnormal Psychology, Occupational Psychology and Health Psychology).

An increasing number of students are also choosing to pursue practice-based postgraduate counselling training at postgraduate or master's level through the postgraduate portfolio offered within the School of Psychology at UWTSD Swansea.

Further Information

The School of Psychology offers an exciting mix of expertise in experimental psychology, applied health psychology, therapeutic counselling practice and psychotherapeutic approaches. This diverse mix of skills and experience inform both the teaching and research areas across all programmes within the School and creates an exciting and dynamic learning environment where students can flourish and develop strong academic, research and transferable skills.

The School has strong links with the local Community through its community engagement work, as well as with national charities and the NHS, alongside a growing national and international research profile.

For more information, please contact the programme director Stacey Coleman on (01792) 482126 or via email at stacey.coleman@uwtsd.ac.uk

Related Courses

  • BSc Psychology
  • BA Counselling Skill and Interdisciplinary Studies
  • BSc Applied Psychology
  • BSc Mental Health
  • BA Education Studies and Psychology

Entry requirements

Entry Criteria

For 2017 entry (new UCAS tariff for courses starting in September 2017):

  • Typical offers are made for 88 tariff points for the BA Counselling Studies and Psychology programme. There is no expectation that A-level candidates will have studied psychology at A-level, and although they typically would have studied a social science at A-level students with a mix of subjects across the A-level spectrum are welcome.
  • This programme also welcomes applications from non-traditional entry students who have had a break from education, and those who wish to move into the social science area or care disciplines, as well as international applicants (subject to minimum English language requirements).

Here at UWTSD, we place great importance on encouraging non-standard entry students with relevant life skills and academic potential to join our course. Additional study skills support is always available for any student needing more one-to-one tuition. The nature of assessments and feedback in the first year provide ample opportunity for students to develop their confidence and academic style.

The programme provides the opportunity for students graduating with a minimum of Lower Second (2:2) honours to progress onto further BPS postgraduate training and qualifications, and the wider portfolio of Counselling Skills qualifications at undergraduate and postgraduate level within the centre provides further opportunity for professional development.

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