BA Counselling and Mental Health
About this course
BA (Hons) in Counselling and Mental Health, an occupational therapy degree focused on psychological theories and helping practices. Core topics include Research Methods. Students undertake placements every year alongside weekly skills practice in professional settings. The first year covers foundational ideas through modules such as Humanistic Philosophy and Theories, Relational Skills in Counselling, Working in the Helping Professions, Working within Diversity, Introduction to Counselling Skills, and Academic and Research Skills. The second year progresses with Relational Skills in the Community, Perspectives on Mental Health, Developing Professional Experiences, Change Oriented Approaches, Research Methods, and Contextualising Mental Health. The final year involves advanced study and practical preparation through Deepening Humanistic Practice, Independent Research Project, The Ethical and Reflective Professional, Advanced Therapeutic Relationships, and Psychodynamic and Insight Orientated Theories.
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
Minimum entry requirements: 104 UCAS Tariff points; and 3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language.
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What students say
Based on about 45 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 84%
- Assessment and feedback: 81%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 74%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 82%
- Left higher education: 11%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 8%
What graduates do next
Based on about 28 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 74%
- Working and studying: 11%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Therapy professionals: 80%
- Caring personal services: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 75%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 225 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 13%
- North West: 12%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 46%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 5%
- South East: 2%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 84%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Access course: 4%
- A degree: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 4%
- Other qualifications: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 3%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Humanistic Philosophy and Theories
- Relational Skills in Counselling
- Working in the Helping Professions
- Working within Diversity
- Introduction to Counselling Skills
- Academic and Research Skills
- Relational Skills in the Community
- Perspectives on Mental Health
- Developing Professional Experiences
- Change Oriented Approaches
- Research Methods
- Contextualising Mental Health
- Deepening Humanistic Practice
- Independent Research Project
- The Ethical and Reflective Professional
- Advanced Therapeutic Relationships
- Psychodynamic and Insight Orientated Theories
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Counselling and Mental Health at York St John University earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £29,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,500 and £33,000. The £29,500 median after five years is the same as the UK median for Counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy.
What do graduates of BA Counselling and Mental Health at York St John University do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Counselling and Mental Health at York St John University?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Counselling and Mental Health at York St John University?
The average entrant had 108 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Counselling and Mental Health at York St John University?
82% of students continued into their second year, and 11% left higher education.