If you have a passion for helping others and want to embark on a career in people-focused professions, then this counselling and psychotherapy course offers you an excellent starting point.
- A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions
- A great route into the BSc degree if you don't meet the criteria for the 3-year course
- Prepare for a wide variety of careers in people-focused occupations in fields such as health, social care, education and business
- Gain a solid platform for further postgraduate study so that you can qualify to practise as a professional counsellor or psychotherapist
- Learn from a team who are specialists in their therapeutic fields and whose research is shaping the future of the counselling profession
- Make the most of our excellent learning facilities on our Derby campus
- The Foundation Year course leads on to the full BSc (hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy Principles and Practices degree
The world of counselling and psychotherapy is constantly changing and this course has been specifically designed to reflect the demands of life and work in the 21st century. Drawing on our strong engagement with the professional bodies, it aims to meet the growing need for effective, skilled and forward-thinking counsellors and psychotherapists.
Now is the ideal time to embark on a career in this important field, with new opportunities constantly emerging. The issue of mental health is rising on the political agenda and high-profile campaigns are seeking to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health problems.
On completion of the Foundation Year you will then commence study on the full BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy Principles and Practices degree.
Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more
Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.
Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
From day one you’ll get all the benefits of being a University of Derby student, plus extra support to help you build your knowledge, skills and confidence.
Our teaching team has extensive experience of counselling and psychotherapy, along with wide-ranging professional networks.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
2023 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2023 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 80 |
| A Level | CDD |
| 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 and 15 at Level 2 |
Additional entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)
2024 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 80 |
| A Level | CDD |
| 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 |
Additional entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)
How to apply
Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.
With careers advice an integral part of your studies, this course equips you to compete effectively in the graduate careers market. After graduation from the full BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy Principles and Practices degree you’ll have a wide range of options and could progress to roles within health and social care, counselling, psychotherapy and psychology.
If you would like to take your qualifications to the next level and become a professional counsellor and/or psychotherapist, we offer a full range of postgraduate programmes including accredited MSc courses in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy and Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy.
These could pave the way to rewarding counselling and psychotherapy positions within the NHS, schools, colleges and universities, and any organisations which employ therapists as part of their occupational health portfolio. Some of the students who complete our postgraduate programmes also go on to develop their own private practice or advance to research degrees.
However, the transferable skills you gain on the BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy Principles and Practices also mean that you could pursue careers in a wide variety of other professions where excellent people skills and emotional intelligence are valued, including nursing, social work, education, coaching, mental health, human resource management and marketing.
Ongoing careers support
Our Careers and Employment Service will provide you with help, guidance and support from day one of your course – and for up to three years after you’ve completed your studies.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
Included in your fees
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- Travel expenses to placements, the student pays the first £5 of travel costs
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
Minimum numbers
Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.
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