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BA (Hons) Counselling (Top-Up) Full-time

Build on your practice and reflect on your professional development. You can balance studying with work or other commitments. Gain a full honours degree by topping up your existing foundation degree.

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

Key course information

Course codeCID943
Duration1 year
Fee (UK)£9,790
Fee (Int)£17,500
LocationOn campus

Course summary

As counselling becomes more professional, you’ll be expected to reflect on your own practice, use research, and contribute to the development of the field. The BSc (Hons) Counselling (Top-Up) course gives you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this changing environment.

You’ll explore a range of counselling techniques and learn how to apply them in different professional settings. This prepares you for careers such as:

  • Educational counselling – supporting learning and social challenges
  • Forensic counselling – working with issues linked to criminal behaviour
  • Clinical counselling – supporting mental and physical health.

Our graduates go on to work in a wide range of areas, including:

  • The voluntary sector
  • The NHS
  • Education
  • Specialist services, such as substance misuse, sexual abuse, or bereavement support
  • Private practice
  • Welfare work
  • Social care

Employers value the transferable skills you’ll gain on this course, both within counselling and in other helping professions.

You’ll also get support from our careers tutor. They'll offer guidance and resources to help you plan your next steps and start your career with confidence.

Why Sunderland for Psychology

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific 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, choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

You’ll usually study on one full day each week (currently a Monday). At times, you may also need to attend tutorials or meet with your dissertation supervisor.

Your learning will be interactive via:

  • Lectures and seminars
  • Workshops
  • Group work
  • Discussions
  • Presentations.

We assess you through a literature-based dissertation, written essays, and a research activity.

Entry requirements

Fees and finance support

UK£9,790
International£17,500

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. If you're a Home fee-paying student, the fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,790. You'll pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Apply now

UK students

International students

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and you're offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

For more information, view our programme specifications. These include course content, learning outcomes, and the skills you'll gain.