BSc Counselling and Psychotherapy (Humanistic Approaches) with Foundation Year
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Humanistic Approaches) with Foundation Year, an undergraduate degree centred on humanistic counselling and psychotherapy principles, professional practice, and therapeutic frameworks. Core topics include Research Methods, Clinical Skills, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Ethics & Professional Practice. The course includes a compulsory foundation year before entering the main degree structure. The course begins with a foundation year covering Academic Skills, Preparation for Professional Practice, Communicating with Impact, and Professionalism: applied roles and responsibilities. The first year introduces foundational concepts through Developing Core Counselling Skills, Introduction to Frameworks and Contexts, Theoretical Understanding and Development of Humanistic Models, and Theories of Human Development and Psychological Distress. The second year advances into specialized practice via Human Engagement 2: Deepening the Relational Self, Professional Counselling Skills and Supervision 1, Professional Counselling Skills and Supervision 2, and Critical and Comparative Theoretical Approaches. The final year integrates advanced study and research through Dissertation: Independent Study Project, The Developing Professional, The Reflective Practitioner, and Advanced Professional Counselling Skills and Supervision. Optional modules allow students to focus on specific areas such as Counselling Children and Young People, Creative Connections: Expressive Therapeutic Techniques for Psychological Growth, and Configurations of Self.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 72 A level: DDD T Level: Pass (C or above in the core) BTEC: MMP GCSE: GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 English language: IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)
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What students say
Based on about 54 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 65%
- Organisation and management: 53%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 73%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 55%
- Left higher education: 45%
What graduates do next
Based on about 54 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 13%
- Further study: 1%
- Unemployed: 3%
Most common jobs
- Therapy professionals: 71%
- Caring personal services: 6%
- Welfare and housing associate professionals: 4%
- Customer service occupations: 3%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 3%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 75%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 95 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 59%
- West Midlands: 14%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 4%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 125 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 76%
- Access course: 6%
- A degree: 11%
- Other HE qualification: 6%
- No formal qualifications: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Academic Skills
- ​​Preparation for Professional Practice
- Communicating with Impact
- Professionalism: applied roles and responsibilities
- Developing Core Counselling Skills
- Introduction to Frameworks and Contexts
- Theoretical Understanding and Development of Humanistic Models
- Human Engagement & Connections: Understanding Self in Relation to Others 1
- Theories of Human Development and Psychological Distress
- Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology
- Human Engagement 2: Deepening the Relational Self
- Professional Counselling Skills and Supervision 1
- Professional Counselling Skills and Supervision 2
- Professional Development and Ethical Practice
- Critical and Comparative Theoretical Approaches
- Qualitative Methods: The Individual in Society
- Dissertation: Independent Study Project
- The Developing Professional
- The Reflective Practitioner
- Advanced Professional Counselling Skills and Supervision
- Counselling Children and Young People
- Creative Connections: Expressive Therapeutic Techniques for Psychological Growth
- Configurations of Self
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Counselling and Psychotherapy (Humanistic Approaches) with Foundation Year at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £30,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,500 and £33,500. The £30,000 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy.
What do graduates of BSc Counselling and Psychotherapy (Humanistic Approaches) with Foundation Year at University of Derby do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Counselling and Psychotherapy (Humanistic Approaches) with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Counselling and Psychotherapy (Humanistic Approaches) with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
The typical offer is DDD at A level. The average entrant had 110 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BSc Counselling and Psychotherapy (Humanistic Approaches) with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
55% of students continued into their second year, and 45% left higher education.