Introduction to Research Methods
Psychology and Counselling
School of Health and Society
Full-time
Part-time
Three year
Six year
September 2024
In a nutshell
A psychology and counselling degree offers more choice in terms of career options than many other degrees. The subjects are recognised as real assets by employers because they develop people skills and knowledge that are invaluable when working with individuals and teams.
This degree is designed to provide you with a thorough grounding in the theory and application of both psychology and counselling. The emphasis is on innovation and learning through a variety of styles that have widespread use, while developing key skills and relevant practical experience. The counselling skills you gain will provide a basis for further study and training in counselling. Your final year supervised research project will allow you to explore an area of psychology of your choice.
For further information, take a look at our Psychology blog.
You will:
- Learn about the principles of psychology, bio-psychology and the psychology of social behaviour, as well as research methods
- Be introduced to key theoretical counselling concepts and start to develop your practical counselling skills
- Focus on the theoretical aspects of helping relationships and consider how this relationship can be used to benefit clients' psychological health
options available
students accepted
This is for you if...
You're curious about the range of human behaviours
You're interested in human relationships and helping others
You have strong written skills
You have an aptitude for research
You can see yourself working with people from all kinds of backgrounds
You want to make a real difference
All about the course
Our psychology and counselling course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) - if you achieve a lower second class degree or above, a Graduate basis for registration is awarded. This is the first step to becoming a chartered psychologist. You will have the opportunity to take a work placement, giving you real-life experience.
During the second year you will also have the opportunity to apply for a sandwich year which will be taken between the second and third year of your programme, to either study abroad or gain professional experience. Please note, there is a limited number of placements available and therefore a place on the sandwich year isn't guaranteed.
The final year gives you the opportunity to specialise in areas of psychology and counselling that interest you and to undertake a supervised research project of your own.
This module introduces the methods which are used in psychology and related fields. Statistical concepts and the quantitative methods which they underpin are taught alongside qualitative methods. The module builds knowledge which is important in interpreting the research papers you will read over the course of your degree as well as providing the foundation for skills which you will need in order to conduct your own research projects.
Introduction to Developmental Psychology and Social Psychology
You will be introduced to key factors in human development including social, emotional, cognitive and biological foundation. Within social psychology you will look at how individuals perceive, influence and interact with others.
Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Approaches
An introductions to basic counselling, communication, listening, interpersonal skills and reflective practice.
Introduction to Individual Differences
This module introduces the study of personality, intelligence, gender and mental health. Understanding these differences can be applied later in your studies to understand, for example, why some children learn language faster than others, or why men’s and women’s language use is sometimes so different.
Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology
You will be introduced to the basic biological processes and cognitive principles necessary for understanding human psychology. Language is a key cognitive skill, and this module covers topics such as reading and listening, automatic word identification, resolving linguistic ambiguities, and aphasia.
Therapy , Ethics and Human Rights
This module will enable you to recognise and contextualise Counselling and Psychotherapy nationally, internationally and globally and explore the impact on clients and therapists.
Further Research Methods
You will develop on the skills you developed in year one, designing, carrying out research and analysing your results.
Further Biopsychology and Cognition
You will explore the links between biological and cognitive processes and examine how this relationship influences performance in real-world contexts. You will also go into more depth in topics such as language and thought, reading, understanding language, and speech production.
Intermediate Counselling Skills 1
In this module you will work with fellow students to further develop your counselling skills through experiential learning.
Developmental and Social Psychology
Building on your knowledge from year one, you will examine the influences of nature and nurture on human development. You will learn how to critically evaluate historical and contemporary theories. Your assignments will provide you with the opportunity to examine the implications of research for education, policy and clinical practice.
Individual Differences and Social Psychology
A further study of personality and social psychology.
Intermediate Counselling Skills 2
Intermediate Counselling Skills 2 builds on Intermediate Counselling Skills 1 and on its completion enables you to receive a Graduate Certificate of Competency in Counselling.
Dissertation
You will carry out a research project on a topic of your interest, which may include aspects of English language as well as psychology. Recent dissertation topics have included the influence of parent-child interaction on child language acquisition, and the relationship between bilingualism and social anxiety. The range of skills you develop as you navigate the process of research design, completing an ethics form, recruiting participants and carrying out your research, performing appropriate analysis and writing up your work, will be invaluable in all workplaces.
Optional modules (psychology) - you will choose two modules from options including:
Atypical Child Development
This module explores what it’s like for children growing up with various conditions like autism spectrum disorder, Down’s syndrome, deafness, and developmental language disorder, and well as the impact on development of growing up in adverse environments such as poverty.
Brain and Behaviour
This module examines in detail the relationships between behaviour and the nervous system. You will explore these relationships through the consideration of key topics in the field of neuroscience, including learning, psychopharmacology, brain damage, organic brain disorder and mental health.
Child Language Development
This module will develop your knowledge of how children learn language, from sounds, words and grammar, to the complexities of human communication. You will explore data from real children to increase your understanding and test out the theories discussed in class.
Educational Psychology
Develops your understanding of the relevance of psychology to education and provides opportunities to apply psychological theory and principles in the field of education and professional practice.
Effective and Affective Thinking and Processing
During this module, you will learn to apply theories and methodologies from cognitive psychology to real-world behaviour. You will explore the influence of emotional processing on human cognition and performance and reflect on the optimal conditions for thinking and decision-making.
Environmental Psychology
This module will introduce you to the field of Environmental Psychology, exploring current and seiminal research in key areas of human-environment interrelationships. Topics may include:
The psychological significance of place; climate change denial and activism; psychologically informed architecture; media, politics and the environment.
Forensic Psychology
An applied module which will introduce you to offender profiling, lie detection techniques and psychological theories of criminal behaviour; guest speakers have included a serving chief investigating officer, a forensic psychologist and a probation officer.
Media Psychology
This module explores the effects that exposure to media has on people, as well as how people process information from media. It looks at advertisement, persuasion, news journalism, social media and internet use, including the use of metaphors in the media. It also covers conversation analysis and discursive psychology.
Occupational Psychology
A practitioner based module which will provide you with a tour of relevant theories and topics (including stress, selection techniques and change at work), as well as an assessment opportunity to apply these in real-world settings, including your own experience in the workplace.
Psychology of Ageing
Explore positive models of ageing and lifespan development in the 21st Century including: identity, physical and mental health, and the psycho-social implications of ageing.
Psychology of Global Issues in the 21st Century
A new module which considers the role of psychology in a global context. You will have the opportunity to use your psychological knowledge to explore the issues of the day.
Psychology and Health
This module aims to introduce you to the concepts, theory, methods and applications of health psychology. It is concerned with the psychological aspects of physical illness, their treatment and management as well as what it is that keeps people healthy and well.
Psychology of Mental Health
Explore conceptualisations of mental health, explanations of mental health., the legal and social ramifications of mental ill health, the range of conditions treated within psychiatry and different therapeutic modalities and agencies.
The Psychology of Extreme Violence
The psychology of serial homicide, mass shooting, and terrorism. The module also explores the neurodevelopmental and psychosocial risk factors in serial killers and mass shooters, the pathway to intended violence in such extreme cases of violence and the neuropsychodynamics of individuals who commit serial homicide and single homicide.
Work Placement
The work placement will give you the opportunity to put what you've learnt into practice.
Optional modules (counselling) - choose two from:
Expressive Therapies
Explores the range of therapies that allow us to express ourselves.
Bereavement and Loss
An in depth exploration of these important experiences in all our lives.
Counselling and Mental Health
You will learn how counselling is used in specific contexts and with specific mental health issues.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Skills
On completion of this module you will be able to describe and critically evaluate the key features of the CBT model and discuss new developments in CBT. As well as developing highly relevant and useful skills, this module is very important for supporting your future employment in those services that require these specialist skills.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Psychology Laboratory
Our Psychology Laboratory provides a comfortable and friendly environment for you to carry out a wide range of psychological testing. These include:
- The eyetracker laboratory uses the Tobii x50 eyetracker to monitor conscious and unconscious gaze movements
- An observation suite with a two-way mirror
- A video game analysis laboratory where you can analyse the psychological and physiological effects of violent video games
- A dedicated computer suite that allows access to a range of psychological programs such as ERTSLab and E-Prime.
You will also have access to:
- Dedicated psychology laboratory cubicles
- Private interview rooms
- Dedicated social learning space.
School of Health and Society
We are focused on enhancing the health and wellbeing of patients, service users and athletes and our commitment to public involvement helps us retain our strong focus on real-world issues.
What about after uni?
Our graduates have taken a range of jobs within a variety of fields gaining employment in Bolton Primary Care Trust, General Medical Council, Victim Support and Witness Services. Following graduation you may decide to continue your studies with us on the MSc Applied Psychology (Addictions), MSc Applied Psychology (Therapies), MSc Media Psychology or a vocational course such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy, MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies (Professional Training) or MA Social Work.
Past graduates have gained employment as an assistant psychologist, mental health support worker or within drug and alcohol services. You may decide to pursue a career as a chartered psychologist. Alternatively you may take a role within advertising, marketing or retail. Whatever direction you choose, the key skills within this degree ensure that you will be both accomplished and imaginative in your career.
How do I become a qualified psychologist?
All practising psychologists must have postgraduate qualifications which means there isn’t a fast track route to a career in psychology. To become a chartered psychologist, you need to gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership by completing a BPS accredited degree. You can then look at further training in your specific field of interest. An undergraduate degree in psychology is typically the first step on the ladder for those wanting to become a psychologist. It generally takes around six years to become fully qualified, usually including a full three-year degree and three years of postgraduate training.
Further study (generally 1 - 2 years) will also be required for areas such as teaching, HR and counselling.
You can find more information about careers in psychology on the BPS website.
FURTHER STUDY
- MSc Applied Psychology (Addictions)
- MSc Applied Psychology (Therapies)
- MSc Psychology of Coercive Control
- MSc Media Psychology
- Postgraduate Certificate Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies (Professional Training)
Career Links
The British Psychological Society (BPS) accredits this course – if you achieve a lower second class degree or above, Graduate Basis for Registration is awarded. This is the first step to becoming a chartered psychologist.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
Your application will demonstrate a good understanding of the disciplines of psychology and counselling. You will have strong written skills and an aptitude for research. You will also have a desire to explore all areas of psychology and enthusiasm to understand human behaviour. You will have an interest in helping others, and the emotional strength to engage in practising your counselling skills.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course, or the International Foundation Year to gain entry onto this degree.
GCSE
GCSE Maths, English & Science (science preferred) C/4 or above, equivalents accepted
You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.
UCAS tariff points
112 points
If applying to start from September 2024, you will need 112-120 UCAS points
A-Levels
112 points
BTEC National Diploma
DMM
T-Levels
If applying to start from September 2024, you will need T Level - Merit
Foundation Degree
60% pass mark
Access to HE
112 points
Scottish Highers
112 points
Irish Leaving Certificate
Equivalent of 112 UCAS points
International Baccalaureate
31 points
European Baccalaureate
Pass in Diploma of at least 65%
International Students
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements. If you do not meet the entry requirements, you could take the International Foundation Year to gain entry onto this degree.
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from those who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How Much?
Type of study | Year | Fees |
---|---|---|
Full-time home | 2024/25 | £9,250.00per year |
Full-time international | 2024/25 | £17,040.00per year |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships.
Explore our International Scholarships.