Counselling Skills and Psychology BA (Hons)

Our Counselling Skills with Psychology degree offers more than just theoretical knowledge. You'll also develop highly practical counselling skills, equipping you with the knowledge and experience to help others and pave the way for a rewarding career as a professional counsellor. Our course blends theory with real-world application, exploring a range of counselling approaches and fostering self-awareness. You'll learn to communicate effectively, ethically, and empathetically.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the human mind. From understanding mental health to delving into developmental psychology, you'll gain a solid foundation in the field. We equip you with practical skills, such as research methods, critical thinking, and effective communication. These skills will be invaluable in your future career.

The degree structure will allow you to study a wide range of areas of Psychology.  We also offer an optional further year of study abroad that you take between your second and third years of study. As this is an additional year, this means you can use this as an opportunity to pursue areas of study of your choice. 

In your first year (level 4) you will develop an understanding of various ethical issues within counselling, such as confidentiality, informed consent, boundaries, and working with risk. We explore all stages of the counselling process, from beginnings to endings, and incorporate reflective practice to support students in understanding their own beliefs and values about ethics. You will be introduced to the ‘core values’ and begin to understand how these create and sustain the helping process. With this understanding, you will work with peers to practice your counselling skills.

In your second year (level 5) you will explore issues relating to an individual's experience during the life span, drawing on theories such as those of loss, attachment, and adversity, as well as provide opportunities to discuss specific presenting issues. You will begin to embed counselling skills within a distinct helping relationship. You will also study areas of the Psychology curriculum in more depth, gaining an ability to utilise qualitative and quantitative methodologies concerning key research challenges.   

 In your final year (level 6) you will develop a critical understanding of the wider social, political and cultural issues that challenge and inform the helping relationship. This increased understanding enables you to consider the implications for the helping relationship, leading to a greater awareness of the issues which inform and shape the lives of the helper and helpee. You will explore a range of careers within the field of counselling and perform a critical examination of those roles within their specific context. 

At level 6 you will undertake a research topic with support and guidance from experienced researchers, as well as undertaking modules that enhance your expertise on topics of key importance for the disciplines of Criminology and Psychology.  

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

This course is delivered in three terms of ten weeks each. In each term you will study 40 credits comprised of either one or two modules. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately six and ten hours per week depending upon level of study and the complexity of the material being taught. This course is delivered through a mix of in person and online learning. Students can expect to take part in lectures, workshops and peer-led seminars. 

You should expect to spend an average of 30 – 34 hours per week on independent study which might include following asynchronous learning material, tutorial time with staff, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment. Teaching will be delivered by experience academics and practitioners in the subject. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers. 

There will be a broad range of assessment methods so you are exposed to the different types of task you might encounter in the workplace. These will include coursework in the form of essays (long and short form), reports, presentations, and recordings of counselling skills practice. Assessment support is provided throughout the modules. We continuously review the assessment methods used in order that they adequately prepare you for graduate level employment. 

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence, and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Job prospects

Studying Counselling Skills develops strong skills and knowledge which are transferable to a wide range of occupations. Graduates may pursue careers and training in a range of areas such as education, the police force, prison work, social work, law and retail management. Graduates may also pursue further therapeutic training or academic research. 

Below are some potential career paths and roles for Counselling Skills and Psychology graduates:

• Crisis Intervention Specialist: Respond to individuals in crisis, often immediately after traumatic events, providing counselling and resources.
• Therapist/Counsellor in Private Practice: Utilise counselling skills to provide therapy to individuals, potentially specialising in areas like crime-related trauma.
• Life Coach: Help people to make decisions and changes to reach their potential.
• Play Therapist: Helping children and young adolescents to work through difficult life experiences.
• Wellbeing Practitioner: Help individuals to engage with low intensity interventions to support recovery.
• Substance Abuse Counsellor: Help individuals overcome addiction, particularly those who have entered the system due to drug-related offences.
• Victim Advocate: Offer support and resources to crime victims, acting as a bridge between them and the legal system.
• Offender Counsellor: Provide counselling to incarcerated individuals, preparing them for release and ensuring they have the tools and resources to avoid reoffending.
• Youth Offender Counsellor: Specialise in working with young individuals who have committed crimes, focusing on rehabilitation and social reintegration.
• Restorative Justice Coordinator: Facilitate communication between victims and offenders, aiming for reconciliation and mutual understanding.

Further certifications, experience, or advanced degrees may be required for the above roles.

Many of our Psychology graduates go on to postgraduate studies in Psychology (e.g. Cognitive Neuroscience, Forensic and Sport Psychology) or have secured a graduate role in industries such as Marketing, Banking and Project Management due to their sought after transferable skills, such as communication, team working, analysis, creative and critical thinking. 

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.