Overview
The BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health with Foundation Year course provides a tailored pathway into our undergraduate BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health degree. This course is taught at our central London campus, in the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant cities.
During the foundation year, you’ll join a supportive health sciences community, honing essential academic skills and building confidence under the guidance of dedicated teaching staff. This preparatory year is thoughtfully designed to ensure a smooth transition into the full degree programme, setting you up for both academic and professional success.
The course offers a comprehensive grounding in the professional disciplines of mental health and counselling, with a strong emphasis on practical skills that go beyond what is typically offered in Psychology degrees.
Find out more about the follow on course, BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health.
Course Details
Our BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health course equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the growing fields of counselling and mental health care. The programme focuses on hands-on counselling techniques, practical application, and real-world learning experiences.
You’ll explore various mental health disorders and learn effective approaches to supporting individuals through online learning, face-to-face workshops, tutorials, and placements. In your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to carry out an independent research project on a topic that aligns with your personal interests and career aspirations.
Practical experience is central to the course, with a minimum of 100 clinical hours completed by graduation, ensuring you gain invaluable real-world insight. Professional skills are integrated throughout the curriculum, preparing you for accreditation and a successful career in mental health and counselling.
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 you will be assessed
You will be assessed through a combination of:
- Examinations
- Coursework
- Practical Assessment
- Group projects
- Reflective reports
- Case reports
- Logbook
- Portfolio
- Workshops
- Placement
Careers and Opportunities
Take the first steps towards becoming accredited with either the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and/or the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Unit Breakdown
Year 0 - Foundation Year 
All students studying on a Foundation course will take the following core units:
- Human Sciences I (20 credits)
- Introduction to Healthcare (20 credits)
- Personal and Professional Development (20 credits)
- Human Sciences II (20 credits)
- Gateway Extended Project (20 credits).
Pathway Unit
Foundation in Psychology, Counselling and Mental health (20 credits)
Year 1 - BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health
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 - BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health
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 - BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health
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
MSc, PhD, CPsychol - Associate Professor Physiology
Lecturer of Chiropractic
Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology
BSc MSc PhD CPsychol – Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Study in London
Our London site is located in the historic borough of Southwark, just 15-minutes from world-famous Waterloo Station and a stone's throw from the iconic Borough Market.
Learn More
Accommodation in London
Find out more about how best to locate suitable accommodation in London
Learn MoreEntry Requirements
If you’re applying from the UK or Ireland
Essential for entry
Please note: that applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A*-C including Maths and English, or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above) to be considered for the programme.
A-levels
BBB-BCC or above. General Studies will not be considered.
BTEC Extended Diploma
Distinction Merit Merit – Merit, Merit, Merit or above.
Access to HE Diploma
A total of 120-104 UCAS points in an Access to HE Diploma.
International Baccalaureate
Overall grade of 32-28 points or higher.
Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers
BBBBB – BBCCCC or above in 5 Higher/Advanced Higher subjects
Irish Leaving Certificate
H3,H3,H3,H3,H3 to H3,H3,H4,H4,H4 from 5 subjects at Higher Level
T Level
Merit in any Health and Science pathway accepted.
If you have undertaken a qualification that’s not listed, it may still be considered. Get in touch with our Admissions team by completing the form below or call us on 01202 436200 and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.
Is there anything else that is required?
Is there anything else that is required?
For more information about our admissions policies and procedures, including our Admissions Complaints and Appeals Policy, please see our latest policies.
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 and search for our 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.
Dr Mahitha Naidu has recently graduated from the MSc Podiatry (Pre registration) course at Health Sciences University.
Health Sciences University, in collaboration with Dorset HealthCare, has launched a new Brain Health Clinic on its Bournemouth campus.
Carla tells us more about her experience of the course so far and what she enjoys about being part of the HSU community.
Dan Egelstaff is a First Year student on the MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) course. The degree at Health Sciences University appealed to Dan when he was working as a Learning Disabilities Support Worker during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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