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BA (Hons) Counselling (Top-Up)

Gain a full honours degree by topping up your existing foundation degree or equivalent. Enhance your practice and reflect on your professional development. Balance study with ongoing practice or other work and personal commitments.

Three students sitting side by side in a classroom, working on their laptops

Key course information

Course codeCID943
Duration1 year
Fee (UK)£9,535
Fee (Int)£17,500
LocationOn campus

Course summary

As counselling becomes more professionalised, practitioners are expected to evaluate their own practice, apply research, and contribute to the field’s development. The BSc (Hons) Counselling (Top-Up) course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to succeed in this changing environment.

You’ll explore a range of counselling techniques and learn how to apply them in various professional settings. You’ll gain the skills needed for different counselling careers, such as educational counselling (helping with learning and social challenges), forensic counselling (focusing on psychological issues related to criminal behaviour), and clinical counselling (supporting mental and physical health).

Many of our graduates have gone on to work in diverse fields, including the voluntary sector, the NHS, education, and specialist areas such as substance misuse, sexual abuse, and bereavement. Some choose to set up their own private practice, while others apply their counselling skills in roles such as teaching, welfare work, and social care.

Employers value the transferable skills you gain from this degree, whether in counselling or similar helping professions. Our careers tutor will guide you with resources and advice, helping you enhance your employability and start your career with confidence.

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some of these options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific required modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Undergraduate module credits should total 120 credits per academic year. If optional modules are available alongside core modules on your course, you should choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

Teaching is carried out in an interactive way with a combination of lectures, seminars, and workshops. Group work, discussion, and presentations are just some of the approaches used in teaching sessions.

Assessment is by a literature-based dissertation, a variety of essays, and a research activity.

Teaching is one full day a week (currently a Monday) and there may be additional times when you need to attend personal tutorials or dissertation meetings with your supervisor.

Entry requirements

Fees and finance support

UK£9,535
International£17,500

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,535. You'll pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

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UK students

International students

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