Psychology with Counselling BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Study level: Undergraduate
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Explore the human mind and apply counselling theories and techniques to build towards impactful and diverse career opportunities, as well as personal growth.

Course features

Course option

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry) and
Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

CDDF

Start date

September 2026
November 2026
January 2027
March 2027
May 2027
July 2027


Course overview

Unlock your potential to excel in the field of mental health and wellbeing, while developing highly sought-after research and critical thinking skills valued across a wide range of professions.

Foundation year

The foundation year course offers an introduction to your chosen subject and helps you develop the necessary skills for degree-level study. In addition, you will also explore key skills such as research methods, scientific fundamentals and promotion techniques.

Degree

  • Dedicated pathway: learn more about the core areas of psychology. Delve into specialist modules on mental health, wellbeing and the application of counselling skills.
  • Real-world learning: explore the practical applications of psychology and counselling in real-world scenarios such as managing workplace stress, while considering diverse cultures and global contexts.
  • Key skills: develop valuable and transferable skills like empathy and active listening. Gain a deep understanding of core psychology and counselling techniques and learn how to apply and adapt them across different scenarios and contexts. You'll also explore contemporary approaches to counselling, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
A star in the centre of a rosette.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

Foundation year

  • Supports you to gain the academic skills required for degree-level study.
  • Provides a grounding in key areas of health, education, psychology and wellbeing.

Degree

  • Professional accreditation: successfully completing this course to the required standard of accreditation means you will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS), which is necessary for further postgraduate study in psychology (including professional doctorates). See accreditation section for more details.
  • Psychology in action: through problem-based learning, actively engage in real-world, meaningful projects. Work on complex problems, create tangible solutions and develop essential skills, such as critical thinking, collaboration and communication.
  • Equipped for the future: this course is your first step towards a career in professional psychology practice. The course content has been designed to prepare you for further study in professional psychological practice (clinical, counselling, forensics, education and sport) and equip you with the core counselling skills you need to enter further training to work in the field of mental health.
  • Career-focused assessment: boost your career prospects by gaining practical skills through industry-focused learning. Develop key counselling techniques and essential skills like critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership. This includes activities such as reflecting on your counselling approach and receiving peer feedback in simulated counselling sessions.
  • Focus on counselling skills development: immerse yourself in realistic counselling scenarios to develop, refine and adapt your skills for any situation.

Accreditation and professional recognition

The British Psychological Society logo

The British Psychological Society

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the British Psychological Society (BPS). (BPS) on an open-ended basis, subject to regular and ongoing review by the BPS. Accreditation by the British Psychological Society means that as a graduate, provided you achieve at least a 2:2, you will be eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). Additional costs may apply. Please check with the membership body for details.

If the accreditation of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.



What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first year courses

  • Forensic and Criminal Psychology BSc (Hons)
  • Psychology BSc (Hons)
  • Psychology with Counselling BSc (Hons)
  • Psychology with Education BSc (Hons)
  • Psychology with Sport and Exercise BSc (Hons)

Modules

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

Modules

The foundation year offers an introduction to your chosen subject and supports you to develop the skills required for degree-level study.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Learn through hands-on activities and real-world examples, using the same approaches professionals use in the field. It’s about creating experiences that allow you to apply knowledge, gain confidence and feel prepared for your future career.

The foundation year is focused on applied learning through a blend of lectures, tutorials and online learning. There are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which are more reflective of a working environment.

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.


Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learnt and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

The foundation year will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module and may include:

  • essays
  • group work
  • presentations
  • reports
  • projects
  • coursework.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Teaching methods may include:

  • interactive, engaging lectures that help to make learning psychology relatable and relevant
  • regular ‘course hours’ that allow you to meet your lecturers and course director and build a sense of community within your subject area while engaging in immersive subject-specific content
  • case studies and simulated scenarios that allow you to apply your learning
  • workshops and seminars to collaborate, debate, problem-solve and explore content in more depth.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

This course incorporates new and innovative assessment methods aligned with current industry standards, providing you with practical, real-world skills designed to advance your professional readiness and career prospects.

Assessment methods may include:

  • written work such as essays and practical reports
  • phase tests
  • reflective journals
  • individual and group presentations
  • problem-solving scenarios such as case studies
  • posters and public information leaflets
  • podcasts, vlogs and other media projects.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

64 UCAS tariff points. All foundation courses require GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards. For T levels: overall grade of Pass (D or E on the Core) in the T level qualification in any subject.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual/Fair Access Offers

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Offer, you could automatically receive a contextual offer which is 16 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Offer.

Got higher grades? Have you considered direct entry to the degree without foundation year?


Fees and funding

Foundation year

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £5,760 Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

Degree

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,790 per year Not available
International/EU Not currently available*** Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. As an indication, students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2028/29 will pay £1,575 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,900 if they are paying international fees. The University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2028/29. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our undergraduate finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

Applies to degree only

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Foundation year funding

In order to receive funding for degree with foundation year courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year, otherwise you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information, please refer to the 'Tuition Fee Loan' details in the 'Funding your undergraduate course' section of our 'Fees and finance' page.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students.


Facilities

Our foundation years are taught at CU Coventry’s Mile Lane building, a short walk from the city centre. You’re part of the university from day one, so during your foundation year you’ll have access to the wider facilities at Coventry University. Once you successfully complete your foundation year, you'll transfer over to studying your chosen degree at Coventry University, where you'll be taught on campus in the relevant academic buildings.

Located on our Mile Lane campus, you will have access to our Library and Learning Services (LLS), fully equipped seminar rooms and IT suites4. You can also take advantage of reading rights in Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, make use of sport centre facilities and receive full membership to Your Students' Union.

Two students walking outside with the CU Coventry building behind them.

Mile Lane

The campus is home to an on-site library with bookable one-to-one academic writing service and library support sessions, fully equipped seminar rooms, open-access study areas, a café and an IT suite. Our labs contain industry-standard equipment so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

A student working in a booth in The Hub.

The Hub

At The Hub you'll find the Health and Wellbeing Centre, the Students’ Union and Square One (which provides entertainment from quiz nights to live music), the Spirituality and Faith Centre, Tank Studio, Careers Office and a fantastic food court.

External view of the Lanchester Library.

Lanchester Library

Coventry University’s Lanchester Library is usually open 364 days a year, and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops.

 

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

The degree is taught at Coventry University’s main campus.

  • Specialist teaching facilities include light and dark multi-sensory laboratories, ‘mock’ prison cells, an observation suite, and counselling rooms which allow you to experience the application of psychology in different contexts.
  • Specialist software such as Gorilla, Opensesame experiment builder, E-Prime, SPSS statistical analysis, Pinnacle Studio and NVIVO allow you to develop your digital fluency.
  • EEG (electroencephalogram), eye tracking and virtual reality headsets allow you to understand and experience the neurocognitive aspects of human behaviour in different situations.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.


Careers and opportunities

This course should help you develop valuable skills that employers highly seek, such as strong communication, critical thinking, analytical abilities, and presentation and listening skills. These should help to prepare you for careers in applied psychology, research and more. It also lays the foundation for further training to become a qualified psychologist in various specialisms such as occupational, forensic or social psychology; clinical or counselling psychology focusing on mental wellbeing; health, sport, or neuropsychology for physical wellbeing; or developmental and educational psychology working with children.

Please note that qualifying as a specialist psychologist may involve additional requirements. For more information, take a look at the BPS Psychology Careers Guide.

On successful completion of the course, you should be a globally and interculturally aware graduate ready to make a dynamic difference in the world. You could find yourself in the following roles:

  • Counselling
  • Bereavement or trauma support worker
  • Corporate wellbeing consultant
  • Psychological wellbeing practitioner
  • Crisis intervention worker
  • Pastoral or wellbeing officer
  • Rehabilitation worker
  • Support worker in social care or youth services
  • Human resources worker.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

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Discover Phoenix+

Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.

Learn more about Phoenix+

How to apply

This course with foundation year is not available to international students.

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