Psychology and Counselling University of Suffolk

Overview

Overview

The Psychology and Counselling program is offered by University of Suffolk.

Through studying with us you will be equipped with a thorough knowledge of each of the major fields within psychology: biological, cognitive, developmental, and social psychology as well as the major therapeutic traditions within counselling: humanistic, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural.

In bringing these two distinct disciplines together, the course provides a unique synthesis of psychology and counselling that explores how the knowledge developed in both fields can be used to address commonly occurring psychological and emotional difficulties and enable human wellbeing, resilience and growth.

The course examines key topics including the interaction between mind and behaviour, and how the relationship between emotion, cognition, behaviour and context shape individual motivation and group behaviour. You will also discover the nature and influence of the unconscious, the functioning of memory, attention and perception and how these affect our beliefs, motivations and choices, and how interpersonal processes influence individual behaviour in social situations.

The course is underpinned by a thorough grounding in the research methods currently used in psychology, counselling and health care settings. This includes both qualitative and quantitative methods and how these methods are used in the context of developing evidence-based practice.

The delivery of the course takes place through a variety of rich, interactive learning experiences which are delivered by experts in the field. These learning experiences include face-to-face and online lectures, seminar-style groups for exploring and debating topical issues and practical workshop sessions in dedicated laboratories. In the third year you will undertake your own independent research project under supervision to explore an area of particular interest to you and to develop your confidence and skills as a researcher and scholar.

Career opportunities:

• Successful completion of the course will not qualify you to practice as a counsellor or psychologist. However, the course is excellent preparation for further study that can lead to professional qualification as a counsellor or psychotherapist such as the University of Suffolk’s MSc in CBT and Counselling. Graduates who achieve a minimum of a 2:2 overall will be eligible for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership with the British Psychological Society which is a pre-requisite for further training as a practitioner psychologist. Additionally, the course is excellent preparation for “earn and learn” roles within the NHS including training as a Psychological Well-Being Practitioner in IAPT services or as a Clinical Associate Psychologist.
• Regardless of where your career aspirations take you, employability is built into the course at every stage of your journey with us. The combination of academic psychology and counselling approaches will equip you with knowledge and skills that are highly desirable in the marketplace including effective communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, problem-solving and decision-making skills and a good working knowledge of how to design projects and analyse data. On graduation, you will be leaving the University with a degree that has prepared you well for the opportunities of the workplace.