Counselling and Psychotherapy undergraduate courses

Are you passionate about helping people and making a difference?

Counselling is an extremely rewarding profession that creates a positive change to the lives of others. Our courses build your personal and professional skills so that you are fully equipped for career success.

Top15for academic support and teaching quality for Counselling and Psychotherapy**National Student Survey 2023
Top5for student satisfaction for Counselling and Psychotherapy**The Complete University Guide 2024
99%of students said they were overall satisfied with the teaching on this course**National Student Survey 2023

Develop your understanding of the theoretical, social, cultural and ideological contexts of counselling which will help shape your career path.

You'll have access to our fantastic facilities including the clinical skills suite, immersive simulation room, domestic living suite and five consultation and group behavioural observation rooms dedicated to counselling and benefit from insight visits where you will build on your practical and theoretical skills.

You'll learn from our highly experienced teaching team who have extensive experience within counselling and psychotherapy.

“I love the passion my lecturers have for their subject”

"The course guides me in discovering who I am in readiness for the possible impact that may have within my work. The modules give me an overview of what it is to be a therapist in the real world not just how to get to be one. There is a good variety of assessments, such as lectures, seminars and workshops that help me gain a good understanding of human behaviour as well as how this can fit into mental health issues."

Why you should study Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of Derby

What our Counselling and Psychotherapy graduates do

After graduation you’ll have a wide range of options and could progress to roles within health and social care, counselling, psychotherapy and psychology across the NHS, schools, college and any organisations which employ therapists are part of their health portfolio.

Two students doing role play of a counselling session in the counselling room
An academic doing a role play session with a group of counselling students using emotion cards
Two students writing on flip chart paper

Helen's new passion after 20 years

Helen Simpkin was looking for a new challenge after working in finance for over 20 years. She found it in our BSc Counselling and Psychotherapy programme. And our Foundation Year programme gave her a pathway onto the course.

Read Helen's story Read Helen's story
Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your undergraduate Open DayBook your undergraduate Open Day
#derbyuni sign on green grass

Student stories

Our students and graduates are people just like you. And they are making an impact in our region and around the world by using their knowledge and skills to drive innovation and change. You can be part of that story. Let our students and graduates tell you theirs.

Hear from our students and graduatesHear from our students and graduates
Two hands interlinked

How I began my counselling journey

Mature student Danielle Roberts had worked for ten years in the care industry and customer service roles when she decided it was time for a change. She’s now studying our BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy Principles and Practices.

Read about Danielle's journeyRead about Danielle's journey