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Psychological Studies with Counselling

BA (Hons)

Application options include:

Full-time Part-time
On campus

Course Overview

Our new BA Psychological Studies with Counselling is ideal if you are interested in exploring psychology and counselling from both an academic and applied perspective. It will equip you with a comprehensive view of mental functioning, integrating key theories and practices from both disciplines to prepare you for a career related to psychology and counselling.

Why choose this course?

  • In psychology, you will be taught by research-active academics who bring their cutting-edge expertise into the classroom. In counselling, you will be taught by qualified and practising counsellors and psychotherapists who bring their extensive clinical experience to bear in their teaching.
  • This course can open the door to many opportunities for you beyond the traditional pathways where an understanding of human behaviour is key, such as career paths in human resources, marketing, social services, education, user experience and health care.
  • You will develop essential critical-thinking and analytical skills and emotional intelligence that will prepare you well for leadership and management positions across various settings.

What you will learn

On this course you will gain a strong foundation in psychology as we cover topics such as learning, memory, decision-making, human interaction, and the relationship between the brain and behaviour. Specialist counselling modules will first introduce you to core counselling approaches and then you will explore psychodynamic theory and counselling practice. You will also develop your active listening and other relevant counselling skills.

Following your interests or career aspirations, you can then tailor this degree choosing from a wide range of options, including specialist modules on developmental psychology, individual differences, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, social psychology as well as a wide range of applied psychology modules.

How you will learn

You can study this course either full- or part-time. Classes take place in the evening with some modules offering daytime classes too. You will also need to attend occasional classes on Saturdays in your first year.

You will be taught via a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops where you will engage actively in discussions and presentations, group and project work.

In your final year you will follow your interests further in developing an independent theoretical dissertation on a counselling-related topic working closely with one of our academics.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Psychological Studies with Counselling (BA (Hons)).

Key information and modules

Highlights

Come and meet us Request a prospectus

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the Key Information section under Attendance.

  • Entry Requirements Entry Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. To fully engage with this BA Psychological Studies with Counselling you will need to demonstrate an appropriate level of preparedness.

    For the part-time route, we would normally expect applicants to hold a minimum of GCSE Grade 4 (previously Grade C) or Functional Skills Level 2 in mathematics and English. If you do not meet these qualifications you will have the chance to take our in-house admissions test. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

    UCAS tariff points

    3 years full-time: 96 points (e.g. A-levels CCC)

    The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff.

    GCSEs

    Normally a minimum of GCSE Grade 4 (previously Grade C) or Functional Skills Level 2 in mathematics and English. Applicants who do not hold this level of qualification will be able to take our in-house admissions test.

    English language requirements

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don’t meet the minimum English language requirements,  or see our international study skills page for more details of how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

    Visa and funding requirements

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

    Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

  • Fees Fees

    Fees

    Psychological Studies with Counselling BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2026-27

    Academic year 2026–27, starting October 2026

    To be confirmed

    Psychological Studies with Counselling BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting in academic year 2026-27

    Academic year 2026–27, starting October 2026

    To be confirmed

    Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their programme. Tuition fees for students continuing on their programme in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy.

    If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

    Tuition fee and maintenance loans

    Eligible full-time and part-time students from the UK don’t have to pay any tuition fees upfront, as government loans are available to cover them.

    Maintenance loans are also available for eligible full-time and part-time UK students, to assist with covering living costs, such as accommodation, food, travel, books and study materials. The amount you receive is means-tested and depends on where you live and study and your household income.

    Find out more about tuition fee and maintenance loans for full-time and part-time students at Birkbeck.

    Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

    International scholarships

    We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship.

  • Teaching and Assessment Teaching and Assessment

    Teaching

    At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

    Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

    In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

    Methods of teaching on this course

    Teaching on this course is via a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops. 

    Teaching hours

    Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

    On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

    Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

    Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

    On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

    Timetables

    Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

    Indicative class size

    Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

    Independent learning

    On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

    Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

    Study skills and additional support

    Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

    • academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
    • written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
    • numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

    Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

    Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

    Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

    Assessment

    Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

    Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

    Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

    Methods of assessment on this course

    Assessment depends on the module, but includes a variety of methods including short written exercises, essays, quizzes, multiple-choice questionnaires, practical assessments, case studies, presentations and reflective reviews.

  • Careers and employability Careers and employability

    Careers and employability

    On successfully completing this BA Psychological Studies with Counselling you will also have gained valuable transferable skills, such as:

    • the ability to critically analyse and evaluate material
    • effective oral and written communication skills
    • problem analysis and solving skills
    • active listening skills
    • research skills
    • the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

    This degree is not specifically a training programme for professional practice, but it offers you a foundation in counselling that will equip you with essential knowledge and skills should you later decide to apply for professional training in counselling, such as on our MSc Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy.

    Psychology graduates are highly employable and can be found across a wide range of sectors and roles, including in:

    • human health and social work
    • education
    • public administration
    • the leisure and communications industries
    • the arts and entertainment industries
    • counselling-related roles and further professional training.

    We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

  • How to apply How to apply

    How to apply

    You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses.

    Full-time (UCAS entry)

    If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck, you have to apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). To apply, go to the UCAS website and click on ‘Sign in’. You will have to register, giving UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

    The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

    Part-time

    If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (4 or 6 year), you apply directly to Birkbeck by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification.

    You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link. Please note that online application will open in September.

    When to apply

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

    You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

    Help and advice with your application

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

    Apply for your course

    Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section.

Visit the School of Psychological Sciences

Related courses

Course structure

Course structure listing

Course structure and modules for Psychological Studies with Counselling BA (Hons): 4 years part-time, on campus, starting October 2026

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits consisting of:

  • Year 1: seven compulsory modules, including an uncredited study skills module
  • Year 2: three compulsory modules and two option modules, including at least one in psychological sciences and one from another school
  • Year 3: one compulsory module and four option modules, including at least three in psychological sciences and one from another school
  • Year 4: one compulsory module, two option modules and a dissertation.
Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory module
Year 4 compulsory module
Years 2 and 3 indicative option modules - psychological sciences
Years 2 and 3 indicative option modules - from other schools
Year 4 indicative option modules - psychological sciences
BA Psychological Studies with Counselling dissertation

Course structure and modules for Psychological Studies with Counselling BA (Hons): 3 years full-time, on campus, starting October 2026

You must complete modules worth a total of 360 credits consisting of:

  • Year 1: nine compulsory modules, including an uncredited study skills module
  • Year 2: one compulsory module and six option modules, including at least four in psychological sciences and up to two from other schools
  • Year 3: two compulsory modules, two option modules and a dissertation.
Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory module
Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 2 indicative option modules - psychological sciences
Year 2 indicative option modules - from other schools
Year 3 indicative option modules - psychological sciences
BA Psychological Studies with Counselling dissertation