Course Overview

On your Foundation Year, you will develop your academic, employability, and digital skills essential for higher education study while being introduced to key concepts in psychology and counselling.

The following year of study, you will develop and embed deeper knowledge of theoretical frameworks of psychology and counselling. This will enable you to make links between theory and practice, the focus on research evidenced based outcomes and professional skills required in the sector.

As you progress to Level 5, you will delve into deeper concepts and approaches through topics including the concept of diversity, human characteristics and cultural context, as well as understanding that everyone, family, community and societal group has a uniqueness that makes it different from others.

In your final year, the focus is on research and independent study, allowing you to demonstrate problem solving within psychology and counselling that can be applied to a wide range of sustainable goals, such as social impact, community-based contributions and long term personal and professional development.

Curriculum

Year 0 (Foundation) 

• Academic Integrity and Assessment (20 credits)
• Foundations in Psychology (20 credits)
• Fundamentals of Counselling (20 credits)
• Job Search Techniques and Professional Behaviour (20 credits)
• Personal Development and Career Exploration (20 credits)
• Study Strategies and Academic Development (20 credits)

Year 1 

• Applied Communication Skills (20 credits)
• Counselling as a Therapeutic Method (20 credits)
• Developmental Psychology (20 credits)
• Forensic Psychology and Criminology (20 credits)
• Research and Ethics in Psychology (20 credits)
• Social Psychology (20 credits) 

Year 2 

• Biopsychology (20 credits)
• Cognitive Psychology (20 credits)
• Counselling in a Diverse Context (20 credits)
• Multi-Agency Approaches to Risk Management (20 credits)
• Personality and Individual Differences (20 credits)
• Psychopathology (20 credits)

 
Year 3 

• Career Paths in Psychology and Counselling (20 credits)
• Contemporary Issues in Psychology (20 credits)
• Integrative Approaches to Counselling (20 credits)
• The Use of Data in Psychology (20 credits)
• Psychology with Counselling Project (40 credits)

Assessment

This course uses an authentic assessment strategy to ensure that each module takes you into realistic real-life situations, providing a formative pathway for assessing the learning goals of both specific modules and the overall programme. The assessments in the majority of the modules allow you to use your own business ideas, therefore allowing you to receive detailed feedback and time to reflect and develop your proposals further.

Assessment on the course is designed to provide suitable opportunities for you to demonstrate a full range of knowledge, skills and competencies that are key in the business environment. Assessment methods include essays, reports, real-life simulations, presentations, projects and group debates.

You will be required to work in your own time to complete research, homework tasks or group work. Self-study is vital to your success in this course and lecturers will give you guidance on how best to approach this throughout the study period.

Assessment methods at GBS are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback, to suit content or based upon feedback from an External Examiner. An External Examiner is an independent academic expert from an external Higher Education Institution that acts as a safeguard to academic assessment standards.

Entry Requirement

Applicants Must be Aged 18+ and:

• Have a Level 3 qualification (equivalent to either 60 credits or 80 UCAS tariff points).
• Have the following English qualification: GCSE grade 4/C or CEFR B1. If you do not have this qualification, you can carry out an English test provided at a GBS campus.

Applicants Aged 21+: 

We welcome applications from students 21+ who do not match the standard entry requirements but who can demonstrate willingness and commitment to studying this subject, and who can evidence academic, professional or vocational experience in a related field. Have the following English qualification: GCSE grade 4/C or CEFR B1. If you do not have this qualification, you can carry out an English test provided at a GBS campus.

Next Steps:

1) Please fill out an application form by clicking on the ‘Apply Now’ button on this page.
2) Send your supporting documents when requested by GBS.
3) A panel interview takes place to assess listening and speaking skills. You’ll also be tested on your writing via a personal reflection statement.
4) GBS make a final decision on your application.

Fees & Funding