Overview
This course has been specially designed to provide a thorough grounding in the growing professional disciplines relating to both mental health and counselling, with a greater focus on practical skills than Psychology degrees are able to offer. Through a mixture of online learning, face-to-face workshops, tutorials and placements, you’ll learn about specific disorders and the skills required to work with those suffering from poor mental health. You’ll also choose your own counselling or mental health topic for your final year research project, enabling you to pursue an area of particular interest to you.
Studying with us will offer plenty of opportunity to put your developing practical counselling skills into practice – you’ll have gained at least 100 hours of clinical experience by the time you graduate. You’ll also have gained the professional skills required for entering the workforce, as these are embedded throughout our curriculum to keep you up to date with the appropriate knowledge and information, setting you on the path for professional accreditation in counselling.
Course Details
What you will learn
The BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health will provide you with a thorough grounding in the growing professional disciplines relating to both mental health and counselling, as well as setting you on the path for professional accreditation in counselling.
On the course you will learn about mental health conditions as well as learn practical counselling skills which will be put in to practice during the placements you will experience as part of the course. Professional skills required for entering the workforce are embedded throughout the course. You will also get the opportunity to carry out a final year research project in any area relating to Counselling or Mental Health that is of interest to you.
Why Study Counselling and Mental Health?
- If you have a passion for helping others and their mental health
- If you want to be on the frontline helping those in need
How the course is taught
The course is a mixture of online learning and face-to-face workshops as well as tutorials and placements.
What makes this course unique?
If you have an interest in Mental Health but want a more focused, skill-based degree than Psychology degrees are able to offer then this could be the course for you. Each year you will undertake modules learning about specific disorders as well as learning and practicing the skills required to work with those suffering from poor mental health.
- Gain professional skills required for entering the workforce
- Gain 100+ hours of clinical experience Opportunity to carry out a research project in an area of interest
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy – (BACP)*accreditation currently being sought.
Career Prospects
Take the first steps towards becoming accredited with either the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and/or te British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Unit Breakdown
Year 1 
Units
- Introduction to Research Methods (20)
- Introduction to Counselling (20)
- Introduction to Mental Health (20)
- Developing Coping Skills (20)
- Evidence based Practice (20)
- Introduction to Ethics and Professional Practice (20)
Year 2
Units
- Research Methods (20)
- Promoting Health and Wellbeing (20)
- Developing Professional Practice (20)
- Cultures and Contexts (20)
- Further Exploration of Mental Health (20)
- Counselling Theory and Practice (20)
Year 3
Units
- Dissertation (40)
- Consulting and Private Practice (20)
- Issues in the Consulting Room (20)
- Mental Health Through the Life Span (20)
- Positive Psychology (20)
Staff
Course Leader
Dr Alyx Taylor
MSc, PhD, CPsychol - Associate Professor Physiology
Dr. Alyx Taylor is the Subject Leader for Psychology in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Dr Taylor is an Associate Professor of Physiology and a Chartered Psychologist.
Full bio
BSc MSc PhD CPsychol – Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Entry Requirements
What grades do I need?
What qualifications do I need?
A-levels
BBB or above. Unfortunately, General Studies will not be considered.
BTEC Extended DiplomaÂ
Distinction Merit Merit or above in a relevant Extended Diploma for example; Psychology, and Counselling.
Access to HE Diploma
A total of 120 UCAS points in a relevant Access to HE Diploma; for example, Psychology
International Baccalaureate
Overall grade of 32 points or higher to include either psychology or counselling at Higher Level.
International Students
International Students
If your qualification is not listed here, please take a look at our international entry requirements page or get in touch with our admissions team on the form below.
Please note, to be accepted onto this course; you will also need to demonstrate that you meet the minimum standards of English. For further information on English language requirements, please see the dedicated English language requirements page.
More information on permission to study in the UK, can be found on our Visas and Immigration page.
Still have questions about applying?
Course Fees
Tuition Fees
UK/ROI/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,535 per year
International – £17,388 per year
Please note: These fees are for the 2025-26 academic year only and may be subject to increase in subsequent years of study. Any increase will be in line with our Tuition Fees Policy but will not be more than 5%.
Additional course costs
Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your course. There are additional course related costs are not included in the tuition fees. So you will need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
For more information see Additional Costs page.
Visit our student finance pages for more information on:
Please Note:
For students to be eligible for funding from Student Finance England, they must be studying on an eligible course at a provider registered with the Office for Students (OfS). Health Sciences University is registered with the OfS. View the register here and search for Health Sciences University.
Register your Interest
Register your Interest / Enquiry
Why choose Health Sciences University?
There are many benefits to studying at Health Sciences University, from our expertise and history in teaching health sciences, to our state-of-the-art facilities, our placements, and of course our amazing locations on both the beautiful Bournemouth coast and in the historic and bustling heart of London.
Latest News
Discover and read all the latest news, press releases and happenings here at Health Sciences University.
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Health Sciences University, in collaboration with Dorset HealthCare, has launched a new Brain Health Clinic on its Bournemouth campus.
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Natalia Purkiss is in her first year of the MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) course at Health Sciences University.
The first of a series of special networking events between NIHR Wessex Experimental Medicine Network (WEMN) and HSU has taken place.
Find us
Health Sciences University
Bournemouth Campus
Parkwood Road
Bournemouth
BH5 2DF
Health Sciences University
London Campus
275 Borough High Street,
London
SE1 1JE