Psychology and Counselling - BSc/MSci

This module aims to support you in developing an in-depth knowledge of social psychological theory and research. You will be supported in utilising this knowledge to explore the society/communities we live in and to explore contemporary social issues. Contemporary social issues might include how we present ourselves online, understanding protests and rioting, engaging people with climate activism, reducing prejudice, and understanding romantic relationships. The scope of this module is to continue to provide the opportunity to advance your knowledge and understanding of social Psychology. In addition, the module will highlight the specific role that social Psychology plays in community and cultural contexts.

Throughout the module, you will be introduced to the definition of ‘community’ as well as factors which drive community psychology. Overall, it considers the contextual factors such as social, cultural and political influences which affect the community beyond the individual. This approach allows you to consider the values underpinning community psychology. For instance, collective wellness and sense of community.

This module aims to investigate human development throughout the lifespan focusing on changes to biological, cognitive, social and emotional elements of psychological functioning. The module will provide you with an understanding of the general principles and concepts, different theoretical perspectives, research methodologies, contemporary debates and areas of application of Lifespan Development. This module will enable you to develop skills in critical reading and analysis of theoretical and empirical issues related to Lifespan Development. In the context of contemporary societies and globalisation, the role of social and cultural context of development is explored. Through engagement with the module and the coursework you will think about Lifespan Development from a theoretical perspective, and more importantly from an applied perspective as well. You will be encouraged to consider how your knowledge gained from the lectures, pre and post-session activities and the learning material has informed real life events and how we can explain behaviour observed around us.

You will be engaged in a vibrant learning community which will encourage discussions, dialogues, peer conversations alongside learning and teaching activities which will further contribute to exploring different learning and cultural perspectives.

This module supports your developing self-awareness and understanding about the relational needs of humans. This is essential knowledge and experience required for counselling professional practice.

Building on your learning in Foundations for Counselling 1, on this module you will engage with, and critique, recent research in counselling, psychology and neurobiology. You will develop an understanding of the impact of relational trauma on the development and management of psychological distress. You will gain coherent understanding of interpersonal relationships and their role in working with distress and psychological change. You will learn about emotion regulation and dysregulation of yourself and begin to consider how you can use this learning to support others.

This module will develop your understanding of the need for genuine and attuned relationships between people, both in everyday life and in professional counselling practice. You will learn, through self-experiment and theoretical discovery, the importance of verbal and nonverbal communication between people and different ways to support yourself to attune and relate more confidently with others. You will apply this learning to yourself and to your relationships with others. You will also learn how to begin to describe the impact of relational factors on clients by applying your knowledge to case studies drawn from real world experience.

This module contributes to knowledge and understanding in areas of biological and cognitive psychology, a Graduate Basis for Chartership core area with the British Psychological Society. There will be research-led teaching which will explore key debates and methodologies used in biological and cognitive psychology. A holistic approach will be taken to understand the cognitive and neural theories and evidence across a range of areas, including attention, perception and memory. There will be an applied focus during this module and clear links are made to the chartered area of clinical neuropsychology. The focus on methodology for working with humans (Eye-tracking, EEG, fMRI, neuropsychological assessment) will contribute to your understanding and application of research design. Ethics, Individual Differences and application of research are all included. The research-led approach to this module will see you applying advanced psychological theory and methodology to real research questions. This module will continue to develop key transferable skills from level 4 such as group discussion, debate and evidence-based reasoning and will help develop your critical evaluation skills.

This module provides you with an overview of the purpose of designing and conducting research in psychology. This module builds upon and complements research methods modules delivered in Level 4 by providing students with further exploring analysis techniques commonly used in psychology. All sessions are structured to facilitate both conceptual learning and the development of applied research skills. More specifically, this module aims to help you develop skills in research and inquiry and develop academic attributes such as being able to think critically about different methodologies and knowledge claims. Additionally, it will help you develop communication skills by requiring them to communicate their knowledge of various research designs and analytical claims in sessions and as part of their assessment. You will acquire knowledge of the application of research methodologies within various applied areas of psychology.

This module will also identify how the skills and knowledge gained during this module are relevant to Graduate Basis Chartership (GBC) competencies and training which are relevant to both future study (i.e. the Dissertation project) and careers in the field of psychology. These employability skills will also be transferrable to other research and analytical domains given the module focus on autonomous application of the competencies learned. The module has been designed to meet the academic knowledge base requirements and competencies for Programme Standards set out by the British Psychological Society (BPS). The module will be supported by face-to-face learning (lectures and workshops), Moodle (VLE) activities and forums, as well as pre and post session practical tasks, readings/activities. Lectures will introduce theoretical aspects of qualitative and quantitative research, with seminars directly supporting learning with practical experience of applying the principles presented in the lectures and workshops offering tutor and peer support for practical aspects for the assessment.

Infancy will examine the social, emotional, cognitive and neural changes that occur during the first two years of life. Starting with pre-natal development and the formation of the brain, the module will go on to investigate how infants start to explore the world, recognise faces, learn language and form attachments with those around them. The module will explore the complex relationship between genetics and the environment and how they shape our thinking, behaviour and personality.

There will be research-led teaching which will explore key debates and methodologies used in developmental psychology. Strong links will be made towards career paths in education/working with children as well as discussing the implications for wider career opportunities. The GBC area of developmental psychology will also be supplemented through this module. There will be an applied focus and clear links to the chartered areas of child psychology and educational psychology. The focus on methodology for working with infants will contribute to the understanding and application of wider research design.

This module builds on the clinical and health-based modules on the programme by providing you with an in-depth and critical understanding of stress, which is one of the main risk factors for both psychological (e.g., anxiety, depression) and physical health outcomes (e.g., heart disease, cancer). In this module, you will learn about the biological, psychological and environmental influences on stress and health, as well as the interaction between them. Key literature on stress-related illness across a wide-range of disciplines will be critically appraised.

The module will be supported by face-to-face learning through lectures and seminars, as well as online Moodle (VLE) activities. Lectures will provide the core material related to the topic, whereas seminars will allow you to apply this knowledge through task participation and group work. The VLE activities associated with this module will employ interactive online teaching methods, which will help you further develop your knowledge and skills outside the classroom. The seminars and VLE activities will relate to the content delivered in the lecture the week before.

Positive psychology is the study of factors that promote human growth, flourishing, and wellbeing. On this module, you will learn about the principle, foundations, and applications of positive psychology to mental health and wellbeing through examination of scientific theory and research. This module has an experiential component, through which you will explore positive psychology approaches for yourself, by taking part in and reflecting on Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) such as mindfulness-based programmes, compassion-focussed approaches, and through interventions designed to develop healthy qualities of mind (e.g., gratitude, authenticity, forgiveness, connection, meaning, and purpose).

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 40- week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree.    The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.  Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace. 

Understanding research issues is an essential skill for psychologists operating in an evidence-based paradigm. The ability to produce an in-depth dissertation and present a logical argument using such research is a crucial skill for a successful psychology graduate.

This module builds upon learning at level 4 and level 5 in previous Psychological Research Methods modules. This module will encourage you to plan, execute and write up a research project which adheres to principles of the Psychology Ethics Committee. You should seek out research sources to produce an in-depth dissertation that answers your own identified research question or knowledge gap, making a contribution to the existing literature within your chosen topic area. This will be facilitated through critical evaluation of the sources you have selected and used. You will also be facilitated in using statistical and other specialist software, testing equipment and materials, as well as the use of the Psychology laboratories.

The module aims to provide students with an overview of psychology, from early philosophical influences to the development of psychology as a science. The module will consider contributions of key historical approaches within psychology’s evolution, through to contemporary topics and ongoing debates. This module will demonstrate how psychology is informed by history, society and culture. This will provide an advanced understanding of psychology’s origins, as well as conceptual and historical issues.

The module focuses on three key areas. The first area introduces prominent debates within psychology, where the role of the human mind, behaviour, science and its methods have been shaped by different schools of thought and philosophical positions. The second area considers how psychology has been constructed as a scientific subject. This includes discussions of how science is classified, ontology and epistemology within psychology and social dimensions which interact with psychology’s history as a science. The third area introduces the role of ethics within psychology, including ethical issues within research and practice, and the misapplication of “science” as an ethical issue within the history of psychology. These three areas will be combined with contributions from historical and contemporary schools of thought within psychology.

This module looks at the ethical and professional issues in counselling and psychotherapy in the UK context. It covers practical topics like setting up contracts with clients, making referrals, and managing boundaries, as well as broader issues like the role of culture and belief systems in the counselling relationship.

You will learn through a mixture of lectures and group discussions. The focus will be on developing your ethical decision-making and problem-solving skills using case scenarios of ethical dilemmas. You will also explore your own values and how these compare with the values and personal moral qualities expected by professional counselling bodies.

This module covers the evolution and practice of counselling psychology, including communication processes and skills used in clinical settings. You will learn key theoretical approaches, core conditions for successful counselling relationships, and essential counselling skills. Counselling psychology is particularly concerned with helping people address emotional and psychological issues in their lives. Effective listening, communication and helping skills are recognised as essential in a variety of professions and work contexts where people work closely with other people. Many of these settings are favoured routes for psychology graduates entering employment. This module will prepare you with basic demonstrable practise skills and introduce you to the theories underpinning many therapies, which come under the umbrella term “counselling psychology”.

Psychological interventions from the whole range of counselling therapies will be included (from psychoanalysis, human-centred therapy, gestalt therapy, rational emotive therapy, counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, and compassion-focused therapy) and their places among the evolution of psychology as a clinical discipline will be evaluated. The impact of such interventions upon clients and practitioners will be evaluated, including clinical efficacy as well as ethical issues of modern-day practice. Particular emphasis will be given to how the variety of research evidence can provide support for the adoption and redundancy of particular therapeutic modalities across time.

This module aims to equip you with the relevant skills and knowledge, which are required for the role of the educational psychologist. The module will provide you with an understanding of the general principles and concepts underlying the British educational system and the relevance of psychology to that system. This module examines the role of the educational psychologist and explores the relationship between theory and practice within different educational contexts. The module will familiarise you with different methods of investigation (psychometric testing, observational techniques, interviewing) and intervention methods (behaviour modification, task analysis, CBT). The module will also help you appreciate the integration and inter-relationships of different perspectives in psychology which contribute to this specialised applied area in psychology which transcend into applied and specialised areas of work within the educational sector.

This module will provide opportunities to reflect on the applications of learning theories in education, as well as extend and develop competence in professional report writing, communication, self-efficacy and organisational skills that are required in both the employment sector and continued academic pathways should you wish to pursue postgraduate study in Educational Psychology. Furthermore, the module provides opportunities to foster a greater understanding of the importance of multiculturalism in schools that are part of an increasingly global society.

This optional Level 6 module is designed to introduce you to forensic psychology. Forensic psychology is one of the key psychological domains recognised by the British Psychological Society and covers a broad range of topics highly relevant to the real world. A key aim of the module is to teach you about the ways in which psychology can be applied to criminal justice settings.

Forensic psychology is a popular pathway for graduates who wish to pursue a career in psychology. Therefore, the module will provide you with the opportunity to explore the broad array of concepts, issues and debates with which forensic psychology practitioners and researchers are concerned. The module will explore how theoretical concepts and psychological research can be used to understand and assess criminal behaviour. The module also provides insight into the importance of psychology in understanding wider issues within the criminal justice system, including the experiences of victims/survivors.

This module aims to introduce students to the area of health psychology and demonstrate how psychological principles may be applied to understand and alleviate problems of illness, ill health and health-related behaviours which are significant contemporary real-world problems; this is evidence of pursing excellence.

Key models and theories that aim to predict risk behaviour and promote health and self-care will be discussed, compared and contrasted. Interventions to promote behaviour change will also be covered. Behaviour change techniques and adherence will be debated with practical examples given. After considering the role of psychology in the field of health the module will focus on factors such as stress and its effects on health and illness. Coping styles and strategies as well as social support will be discussed as moderators of the relation between stress and illness.

Individuals and organisations find themselves in a rapidly changing environment. The aim of the module is to provide an introduction to the field of Work and Organisational Psychology (sometimes referred to as Occupational, Occupational Health, Organisational or Industrial Psychology). Work and Organisational Psychology (WOP) is an academic subject that focuses on human behaviour related to organisations, work, and productivity. It applies psychological principles to the workplace. The WOP module will cover the importance of how the workplace can impact upon people’s health (in both negative and positive ways) and how the workplace can also be used to improve the well-being of its employees.

The module will provide you with an understanding of the sometimes complex links between workplaces and health, and an appreciation that physical health, psychological health, the quality of working life, job satisfaction and well-being are all intrinsically related. The module will cover health issues such as stress, mental health, musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory and cardiovascular related conditions. Emphasis will be made of the tensions between the needs and functions of both organisations and of individual workers. In exploring the conflicting needs that sometimes exists between workers and organisations, you will understand how workplaces (can) utilise psychological processes in order to obtain maximum effectiveness of workers and the organisation; to promote the design of better working and how jobs are done; and to ensure appropriate selection processes.

The module considers addictive behaviours from both a multidimensional and multidisciplinary perspective, by covering developmental, social, personality and individual differences, cognitive, biological, health and cultural psychology, while also taking into account perspectives from public policy, social justice and economics.

The module content will cover a number of theoretical and conceptual accounts (e.g., brain disease model, dual process models, choice theory) of addictive behaviours, both historical and contemporary. In doing so the research methodologies commonly utilised in the literature will be discussed and critical consideration given to the current challenges facing researchers in the area. Specifically, the module will also explore novel addictions (e.g., social media, food, gambling, shopping), challenging how these fit within existing definitions of addiction and the role of research in unpacking our understanding of such potentially problematic behaviours.

This module aims to builds on the clinical and health-based modules on the programme by providing you with an in-depth and critical understanding of eating behaviours and body image. The module will take into consideration the complex and multi-faceted influences on eating and weight, and the methods used to assess, prevent and treat a range of eating- and weight-elated behaviours and outcomes. You will be encouraged to engage with a range of empirical evidence and psychological theories/models, taking a critical analytical stance in relation to their application within real-world contexts. Topics related to eating behaviours, eating disorders, body image, and obesity will be covered, addressing different perspectives, such as developmental, cultural background, LGBTQIA+ and gender, and a critical approach to understanding how these topics are related to contemporary issues, such as social media, weight stigma, and health disparities.

The module will be supported by face-to-face learning through lectures and seminars, as well as online Moodle activities. Lectures will provide the core material related to the topic, whereas seminars will allow you to apply this knowledge through task participation and group work. Self-directed activities, such as Moodle activities will help you to develop knowledge and skills outside of the scheduled learning.

This module will explore the historical approaches in psychology and the racism and legacies that are still seen in contemporary settings. The module aims to equip students with historical knowledge of misuse of science by psychologists and through a critical lens (such as intersectionality) towards historical redress. The content will centre predominantly within the UK context but may refer to American contexts where appropriate.

This module addresses the need to decolonise the psychology curriculum especially as minoritised groups of students have been systematically erased and the narratives should be shifted towards empowerment. Decolonisation is not a comprehensive task, so this module serves as an introduction to the ideas behind decolonising research, applications to real-life and acknowledging one’s positionality on the basis of their identity.

This module will develop key transferable skills, continued from level 4 and 5 modules such as Neuropsychology, including group discussion and debate, critical evaluation and evidence-based reasoning. Research-led teaching will explore key debates, theories and methodologies used in neuropsychology and ageing, as well as challenges. The GBC areas of biological psychology, developmental psychology and cognitive psychology will be supplemented through this module. This module contributes to knowledge and understanding in neuropsychology from a lifespan development perspective. It takes a holistic approach to understand the cognitive and neural theories and evidence across a range of areas, including language, attention and memory, and the effects ageing has on these processes.

There will be an applied focus during this module and clear links to the chartered area of clinical neuropsychology. Interventions will be discussed in relation to both clinical difficulties (Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease) and to non-clinical everyday cognitive decline. The research-led approach to this module will see the students applying advanced psychological theory and methodology to real research questions, with a focus on intervention and positive psychology.

Building on Counselling Skills 1, the Counselling Skills 2 module is designed for the final-year undergraduate students who are preparing for graduate- level work or further study in counselling, psychotherapy or related helping professions. This module focuses on developing advanced practical counselling skills, critical self-awareness, and ethical competence in professional helping relationships. It encourages students to critically engage with theoretical frameworks from Person-Centred Approach.

Students will have access to a range of learning resources, including interactive lectures, seminars, and online materials. This module is delivered through an interactive pedagogic approach, combining in-person teaching with virtual learning via the university’s learning platform. This ensures flexible access to lectures, seminars discussion forums, recorded sessions and supplementary materials. A key requirement for participation includes attendance and engagement, the ability to engage with virtual learning tools, and active participation in group work.

This module equips you with the relevant skills, knowledge and training which are required for understanding the psychology of gender and sexualities. In undertaking this module, you will gain the relevant knowledge of psychological perspectives of gender and sexualities, including the conceptualisation and organisation of gendered and sexual identities and experiences in relation to the social, cultural and political. You will evaluate psychological theory and apply theoretical concepts and knowledge to develop arguments relating to gender and sexuality. Additionally, you will be encouraged to examine the relationship between theory and practice in psychology in order to identify the links between psychological knowledge and its application. As part of your learning, you will analyse the construction of sexuality and gender in society and will be encouraged to develop awareness around how such conceptualisations impact on various social groups and psychological practice. This module will foster your ability to be able to articulate an argument about sexuality and gender by drawing on empirical studies in peer-reviewed journals. This module encourages critical thought as you are required to interrogate contemporary cultural discourses on sexuality and gender, in addition to reflecting how their own values and attitudes may have changed in response to your learning.

This module covers fundamental areas and phenomena of intellectual and developmental disabilities, exploring competing perspectives, contemporary debates and important areas of application such as education and mental health. The module looks at intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders pre-natal, post-natal and across the lifespan. The module will explore types of research methods, theoretical perspectives and questions of value, culture and context. The role of brain functioning and links between the different disabilities and disorders and mental health will be considered throughout this module. This module will also identify how the skills and knowledge gained during this module are relevant to GBC competencies and training which are relevant to future work and studies inpsychology.  This module will be of particular interest if you would like to explore a career as an educational or clinical psychologist.

In the context of contemporary societies and globalisation the field of Developmental Psychology is pivotal to understanding ourselves and others. It needs to be adequately theorised and researched to allow orientation to the psychological phenomena of contemporary individual, family and community lives. This module is aimed at developing the necessary knowledge to approach this. The module will centre on the material being delivered in lectures as well as activities within seminar and Moodle work. All course materials, including all lecture power points and overheads will be available on Moodle. Use will be made of audio and video materials to give examples and explore the approaches and issues involved in the module. Opportunities will be provided for class discussion and consideration and reflection on the relationship of the teaching content to the students’ experience.

The aim of this optional Level 6 module is to provide an overview of how psychology can be applied to policing and the wider criminal justice system. This is often referred to as legal psychology, an important branch of forensic psychology. Legal psychology focuses on the application of psychological theory and practice to, for example, legal proceedings, the criminal investigation process, and prosecution of offences. Whereas in some cases the theories are specific to forensic psychology, in others we will apply theory and practice from different areas of psychology (e.g. cognitive and social psychology) to policing and the criminal investigation process. Thus, the module covers a broad range of topics highly relevant to the real world context. This module complements the optional Level 5 Forensic Psychology module. However, having attended the Level 5 module is not a requirement for the Level 6 module.

Forensic psychology is one of the key psychological domains recognised by the British Psychological Society and is a popular pathway for graduates who wish to pursue a career in psychology, and it is also one of the core areas of chartered practice in psychology. It is, therefore, important that you have the opportunity to explore the broad array of concepts, issues, and debates with which forensic psychologists are concerned. This module provides you with that opportunity with a specific focus on psychology in legal contexts such as policing and criminal justice.

This module is designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to successfully transition into the workplace upon graduation. Through a series of reflective exercises, research, and practical application tasks, students will critically assess their employability, identify graduate-level opportunities, and develop a professional identity. Emphasis is placed on creating a comprehensive and competitive application portfolio tailored to the current job market, including a LinkedIn profile to enhance professional visibility.

The emphasis of this module is on preparation for and starting placement.  You will apply the knowledge and practical skills you developed during year 2 and three of the BSc and begin to develop a critical appreciation of the way in which theory underpins practice. You will integrate and apply your understanding of the ethical principles, establish working contracts with clients, and learn how to use supervision effectively.

This second semester module continues the monitoring of all professional practice components of the course. By the end of the module you will be required to include evidence that you have completed 100 hours of supervised clinical practise and 30 hours of personal therapy as evidenced in your professional practice portfolio, an assessment component of this module. During this module you will be required to apply your theoretical knowledge and understanding to the practice of counselling with clients in a placement setting. You will learn how to assess clients and will be supported through placement and course supervision to make oral case presentations and develop your clinical decision making skills in order to manage the counselling process through all stages from start to finish.  

This module integrates the knowledge and understanding gained in PSY5068 Counselling Theories and Concepts, PSY5069 Interpersonal Neurobiology and PSY6113 Integrative Counselling: Skills and practice during years 2 and 3 of the BSc Psychology and Counselling professional pathway. Your personal integrative model for thinking about clients (begun in PSY6113) will be supported and refined in this module and will form the foundation for applying theory to practice through clinical case formulation. You will be supported to develop and apply a model of assimilative integration based on a core of Person Centred theory and integrating a range of elements from neurobiology, research findings and evidence based theory. Outcome studies and wider research papers evaluating the effectiveness of theoretically informed interventions will support this process. 

This first semester module develops the groundwork laid down in PSY6112 Counselling Ethics, and explores ethical decision making in greater depth, with specific reference to counselling practice. You will undertake an in depth consideration of the BACP Codes of Ethics and practice and apply these to your own emerging practice. You will explore legislation relevant to counselling practice and identify the practical implications of, among other things, safeguarding, anti-discrimination legislation and data management on their practice. The importance of life-long personal and professional development is a key requirement for counsellors, and this module will support you to develop an understanding of your obligations and responsibilities of in the context of professional counselling practice. Throughout the module the emphasis will be on the application of ethical principles to practice.  

This second semester module focuses on the range of mental health difficulties experienced by clients seeking counselling. The learning gained in PSY4034 Introduction to Psychopathology in the first year and in PSY5069 Interpersonal Neurobiology in the second year of the BSc Psychology and Counselling will be brought to together and refined in this module. Understanding of the importance of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma on adult mental health will form a key component of this module enabling you to identify and explore appropriate interventions with clients whilst recognising approaches and interventions that are not indicated for trauma related distress.   

This module places the process of individual counselling with a distressed client in a wider social, and cultural context, and explores the potential of this process to make a difference. The knowledge base of this module will draw on the content explored in year 6 of the BSc in PSY6095 Applied Social Psychology and will focus on locating counselling practice in the real world. Societal inequalities and their impact on mental health, as well as cultural help seeking mores will be considered, and you will be supported to gain an insight into the interaction of socio-economic, political and cultural factors on individual well-being.