If counselling is where you want psychology to take you, the BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling and Mental Health with Foundation is built for that goal. It gives eligibility to enrol on the British Psychological Society’s independent route to training as a counselling psychologist, and can support applications for a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology. Alongside social, cognitive, biological and developmental psychology and research methods, specialist modules include Counselling Psychology, Mental Health and Illness, Approaches to Counselling and Managing the Therapeutic Process. The foundation year prepares returners for degree study, and guest speakers have included the NHS, policing and the fire service. Weekday study is listed at seven UK centres. AF Education provides free application and Student Finance England support for UK home students.
Key facts
- Award / level
- BSc (Hons) (Bachelors)
- Study mode
- Full time
- Schedule options
- Weekday
- Location
-
- the Birmingham campus
- the Leeds campus
- the Holborn campus in London
- the Stratford campus in London
- the Manchester campus
- the Newcastle campus
- Upcoming intake
- December 2026
- Application deadline
- 3 Nov 2026
- Foundation year
- Yes — included in this course title
- Awarding university
- Arden University
- Partner pathway
- ARDEN
Who this course is for
This suits adults interested in mental health, wellbeing or counselling careers who want a psychology degree and need a foundation year first. It is an academic degree, not a counselling licence.
Entry routes for mature students
Arden’s foundation-year entry asks for at least 45 credits at Level 3 completed within the last three years, or an equivalent qualification. If you don’t meet that, you may be considered with at least two years’ professional work experience, evidenced with a CV and reference. The course also lists GCSE passes at grade C or above in three subjects, including maths, or an academic equivalent.
Funding with Student Finance England
AF Education is a free service for England-resident UK home students — not international applicants. For eligible courses, a Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to the university and a Maintenance Loan is paid to you for living costs. Eligibility depends on residency and previous study; use our free eligibility checker before you apply.
Check your Student Finance eligibility — free, takes about 2 minutes.
How often you study
Full-time weekday study is listed at Birmingham, Leeds, London (Holborn and Stratford), Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham. Most courses AF Education supports need 1 to 2 campus days a week, so many students work alongside their course. Confirm your centre’s days before you enrol.
Career and progression
Graduates may go on to further counselling or wellbeing qualifications, or apply for doctoral training in counselling psychology. Related work settings include the NHS, schools, charities, youth and community services and private practice. Becoming a practitioner needs further accredited training, and AF Education does not guarantee jobs.
Course overview from Arden University
Our BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling and Mental Health with Foundation Year has been designed for those who want to study a degree in psychology and wish to work in counselling after graduation. It gives you eligibility to enrol on the British Psychological Society’s independent route to training as a counselling psychologist, and can support applications for a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology or other counselling/wellbeing related qualifications.
Counselling and mental health take a person-centred approach, helping individuals explore their experiences and develop strategies to improve wellbeing. Professionals in these fields work across a variety of settings, including the NHS, schools, charities, youth and community services, and private practice.
You’ll cover the full psychology curriculum—social, cognitive, biological, developmental, and research methods—alongside specialist modules such as Counselling Psychology, Mental Health and Illness , Personality and Intelligence, Approaches to Counselling, Health and Psychological Wellbeing, and Managing the Therapeutic Process.
Studying this specialised undergraduate counselling and mental health course with Arden will provide you with multiple future career and study options. You’ll have access to modern, digital learning tools as you study and you’ll also have full support from our dedicated academic team, who are internationally respected industry practitioners, published authors and PhD holders in the field of psychology.
Throughout the course you’ll have one-to-one support from your lecturers and academic skills tutors, as well as frequent invitations to online coffee mornings with your fellow students and staff and personal academic tutor support sessions. You’ll also be able to start developing industry links and networks by attending sessions with guest speakers from a wealth of areas, including the fire service, policing and the NHS. Above all, our academic team, who come from a range of professional and cultural backgrounds, will help you learn through real-world context, helping you understand how your new skills are best applied in practice.
With such a wide choice of topics to learn about and different skills to master, you’ll graduate with in-depth knowledge of modern counselling theory and practice, including:
- Communicate effectively in challenging situations
- Retrieving, comprehending, and using data
- Handling primary source material appropriately
- Problem solving and abstract and scientific reasoning
- Making critical judgements and evaluations
- Applying sensitivity to interpersonal factors
- Talking and listening approaches in counselling
- Responding to feedback
Specific Requirement:
- Passes at grade C or above in three subjects including mathematics at GCSE level or academic equivalent
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling and Mental Health with Foundation is available at Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham. Campus details and map links are below.
Available Campuses for BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling and Mental Health with Foundation
-
Birmingham
Lock 14, 39 Summer Row, Birmingham, B3 1JJ
View on Google mapsUpcoming intake Dec 2026Application deadline 3 Nov 2026 39 days remaining -
Leeds
7 Park Square, Park Square East, Leeds, LS1 2LW
View on Google mapsUpcoming intake Dec 2026Application deadline 3 Nov 2026 39 days remaining -
Holborn
Buchanan House, 4th floor, 30 Holborn, London, EC1N 2LX
View on Google mapsUpcoming intake Dec 2026Application deadline 3 Nov 2026 39 days remaining -
Stratford
3 Westfield Ave, Stratford Cross, London, E20 1HZ
View on Google mapsUpcoming intake Dec 2026Application deadline 3 Nov 2026 39 days remaining -
Manchester
2 Hardman Street, Manchester, M3 3HF
View on Google mapsUpcoming intake Dec 2026Application deadline 3 Nov 2026 39 days remaining -
Newcastle
The Spark, Draymans Way, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5DE
View on Google mapsUpcoming intake Dec 2026Application deadline 3 Nov 2026 39 days remaining -
Nottingham
Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham, NG2 1AB
View on Google mapsUpcoming intake Dec 2026Application deadline 3 Nov 2026 39 days remaining
Campus locations on the map
Entry Requirements for Arden University (Foundation Year)
These entry requirements apply to Arden University courses with a Foundation Year. All applicants must provide supporting evidence to enrol.
Standard entry
- A minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 completed within the last 3 years, or equivalent.
Non-standard entry
- If you don’t meet these requirements, your application may be considered based on a minimum of 2 years of professional work experience evidenced with a CV and reference.
If you are applying for a Level 4 (year 1) degree without a foundation year, see the undergraduate entry requirements on that course page instead.
English Language Requirements for Arden University
Arden University needs evidence that your English is at the right level for the course. You can meet this through recent study in English or an accepted English test.
Qualifications studied in English
- 45 credits at Level 2 or 3, or
- 90 credits at Level 4, 5 or 6, or
- 60 credits at Level 7 or 8, or
- GCSE English Language at grade C/4 or above
These normally need to have been completed within the last 5 years.
Accepted English tests (usually valid for 2 years)
Duolingo
- Undergraduate: overall 105 (Literacy 95, Conversation 85, Comprehension 105, Production 75)
- Postgraduate: overall 120 (Literacy 105, Conversation 95, Comprehension 115, Production 85)
IELTS
- Undergraduate: overall 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in each element)
- Postgraduate: overall 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in each element)
Other accepted options include TOEFL, Pearson PTE, and Arden University’s Password English Proficiency online invigilated test. Confirm which option fits your situation with your AF Education adviser before you book a test.
Interview Process
Arden University interviews are held online on Microsoft Teams. They are a short conversation about your course choice and how you meet the entry route — not a formal exam.
Before the interview
- Install Microsoft Teams on the laptop, desktop or phone you will use.
- Join 5 minutes early using the link in your calendar invite. Arriving more than 5 minutes late usually means the interview is cancelled and needs rebooking.
- Check camera and microphone work before you join.
- Re-read your personal statement — you may be asked about what you wrote.
- Know your entry route: academic qualifications or work-experience (non-standard) entry.
- Know your course: the exact course title, why you want it, and whether you are applying for blended learning or distance learning.
- Prepare a couple of questions about the course, timetable or support before you enrol.
During the interview
- Take a moment to listen to each question before you answer.
- Answer clearly and honestly — the interviewer is checking fit and readiness, not trying to catch you out.
- Ask anything you are unsure about. It is better to clarify now than after you enrol.
After the interview
- AF Education will contact you with the outcome.
- If your documents are complete, your application can move to Arden admissions.
- If anything is still missing, send it to your AF Education adviser as soon as you can so the application can progress.
How AF Education helps
AF Education support is 100% free for students. We help you check eligibility, choose a suitable course and campus, prepare documents, and submit your application — with clear next steps for Student Finance England where relevant.
FAQs about this course
Can this degree lead to counselling psychology training?
The course gives eligibility to enrol on the BPS independent route to training as a counselling psychologist and can support applications for a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology. Further training is still required.
Do I need GCSE maths?
The course lists passes at grade C or above in three GCSE subjects including maths, or an academic equivalent, alongside Arden’s foundation-year entry route. AF Education will check your evidence.
What specialist modules are included?
Counselling Psychology, Mental Health and Illness, Personality and Intelligence, Approaches to Counselling, Health and Psychological Wellbeing, and Managing the Therapeutic Process.
Will I be a qualified counsellor when I graduate?
No. The degree builds knowledge of counselling theory and practice, but working as a counsellor or counselling psychologist needs further accredited training.
Can I get Student Finance England for this course?
AF Education gives England-resident UK home students (not international applicants) free help applying for Student Finance England on eligible courses. Check your eligibility free before you apply.
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