Course Overview
Our BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling with Foundation Year has been designed for students who will benefit from an additional year of academic support at the start of their degree studies. The course provides you with an entry point into other counselling related qualifications such as psychotherapy or Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT). Once accredited, it will also give you eligibility to enrol on the British Psychological Society’s independent route to training as a counselling psychologist and can support applications for a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology.
Counselling is an area of psychology that takes a person-centred approach, assisting individuals to explore their experiences and develop strategies for tackling maladaptive thoughts and behaviours. Counsellors work in a wide range of professional settings including; in-house for profit and non-profit organisations, government departments, and in private practice. On your counselling degree you’ll study the main psychology curriculum areas such as social, cognitive, biological, and developmental psychology and research methods. Alongside this, you will also have the opportunity to take counselling specific modules including; Counselling Psychology, Core Counselling Skills, Health and Psychological Well-being, Psychological Assessment and Managing the Therapeutic Process.
Studying this specialised undergraduate counselling course with Arden will provide you with multiple future career and study options. You’ll have access to modern, digital learning tools as you study and you’ll also have full support from our dedicated academic team, who are internationally respected industry practitioners, published authors and PhD holders in the field of psychology.
On the course you’ll study subject modules that have been created specifically to help you gain career focused skills in professional counselling. Your studies will culminate with choosing an area of counselling practice on which to focus and produce your own research project at the end of your final year. By the time you graduate, you’ll have the confidence and ability to apply your knowledge of psychology to a range of exciting career paths and further learning opportunities.
Throughout the course you’ll have one-to-one support from your lecturers and academic skills tutors, as well as frequent invitations to online coffee mornings with your fellow students and staff and personal academic tutor support sessions. You’ll also be able to start developing industry links and networks by attending sessions with guest speakers from a wealth of areas, including the fire service, policing and the NHS. Above all, our academic team, who come from a range of professional and cultural backgrounds, will help you learn through real-world context, helping you understand how your new skills are best applied in practice.
With such a wide choice of topics to learn about and different skills to master, you’ll graduate with in-depth knowledge of modern counselling theory and practice, including:
- Communicate effectively in challenging situations
- Retrieving, comprehending, and using data
- Handling primary source material appropriately
- Problem solving and abstract and scientific reasoning
- Making critical judgements and evaluations
- Applying sensitivity to interpersonal factors
- Talking and listening approaches in counselling
- Responding to feedback
Specific Requirement:
- Passes at grade C or above in threesubjects including mathematics at GCSElevel or academic equivalent
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling with Foundation is offered by Arden University in partnership with ARDEN. Students can choose from flexible class schedules such as Weekday, allowing them to balance education with other commitments. The programme is offered in Full Time study modes, ensuring accessibility for learners. It supports various academic pathways, including Bachelors levels, making it suitable for a wide range of students seeking professional or academic advancement. This course is available across key study locations including Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham. To help you navigate, direct Google Maps links are provided for each location.
Available Campuses for BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling with Foundation
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Birmingham
Lock 14, 39 Summer Row, Birmingham, B3 1JJ
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Leeds
7 Park Square, Park Square East, Leeds, LS1 2LW
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Holborn
Buchanan House, 4th floor, 30 Holborn, London, EC1N 2LX
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Stratford
3 Westfield Ave, Stratford Cross, London, E20 1HZ
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Manchester
2 Hardman Street, Manchester, M3 3HF
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Newcastle
The Spark, Draymans Way, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5DE
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Nottingham
Castle Meadow Road, Nottingham, NG2 1AB
View on Maps
Accepted Proof of Address
Please ensure the document you submit clearly shows:
- Your full name
- Your current address
- The date the document was issued
- The type of document it is
You may redact or obscure any unrelated or sensitive information. Only documents issued within the specified timeframes will be accepted.
Accepted Documents & Timeframes
- A utility bill (gas, electric, TV, or phone) issued within the last 6 months
- A council tax bill from your local authority issued within the last 12 months
- A bank, building society, or credit union statement or passbook, including Direct Debit confirmation letters or general account-related correspondence (excluding marketing materials), issued within the last 6 months
- A mortgage statement from a recognised lender issued within the last 12 months
- A council or housing association rent card or a tenancy agreement for a valid and ongoing tenancy issued within the last 12 months
- An electoral register entry issued within the last 6 months
- NHS medical correspondence or a letter from your GP practice confirming registration, issued within the last 6 months
- A TV licence letter issued within the last 6 months
- A student loan letter issued within the last 6 months
- A store card statement issued within the last 6 months
- A house, life, or motor insurance certificate or letter issued within the last 12 months
- A benefits agency letter (e.g., Universal Credit, Child Tax Credits, Personal Independence Payments) issued within the last 6 months
- A government notification document (e.g., from HMRC or DVLA) issued within the last 12 months
- An automatic enrolment welcome letter from a pension scheme issued within the last 12 months
Important:
Only official documents that fall within the accepted timeframe and clearly identify the type of document will be considered valid. If you have any questions about what qualifies, please contact our team before submitting.
Accepted Proof of ID
British Citizen
- Provide a valid UK passport.
- If a valid passport cannot be provided, we can accept:
- An expired passport or
- A long-form UK birth certificate accompanied by another valid photo ID (e.g., a driver’s licence).
Indefinite Leave to Remain / Indefinite Leave to Enter
- Provide a valid passport or national ID card.
- Provide evidence of visa status:
- BRP card
- Visa vignette
- Stamp or sticker within the passport
EU Settlement / EU Pre-Settlement
- Provide a valid passport or national ID card.
- Provide evidence of immigration status:
- New BRP card showing “Issued in accordance with EU Exit Separation Agreements”
- Home Office EU Settlement Letter
- Screenshot from the GOV.UK website confirming settled or pre-settled status
- If a decision has not yet been made on settled status, provide:
- Confirmation of application (e.g., Home Office email or letter)
EU Family Member BRP
- Provide a valid passport or national ID card.
- Provide evidence of settled/pre-settled status:
- New BRP card showing “Issued in accordance with EU Exit Separation Agreements”
- Home Office EU Settlement Letter
- Screenshot from the GOV.UK website confirming status
- If settled status is still pending, provide application confirmation.
- If the student is not an EU citizen, also provide:
- The EU family member’s passport
EU Permanent Residence BRP
- Provide a valid passport or national ID card.
- Provide evidence of settled/pre-settled status as noted above:
- New BRP card
- Home Office letter
- GOV.UK status confirmation screenshot
Additional Notes
- A passport or accepted national ID card is expected from all applicants.
- Expired passports can be used to confirm nationality but must be supported by valid photo ID.
- If the student's visa (e.g. LTR/Pre-Settled Status) does not cover the entire course duration, they may be allowed to enrol temporarily.
- Near the visa’s expiry date, students must provide proof that they have submitted a new visa application that permits study. Failure to do so will result in temporary withdrawal.
Arden Course Fees
The following Blended Learning programmes will have a reduced tuition fee of £5,605:
- BA (Hons) Business Management with Foundation Year - £5,605
- BSc (Hons) Digital Marketing with Foundation Year - £5,605
- BSc (Hons) Project Management with Foundation Year - £5,605
- BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance with Foundation Year - £5,605
- BA (Hons) Criminology with Foundation Year - £5,605
- LLB (Hons) Law with Foundation Year - £5,605
Please also note that the following programmes will have a higher tuition fee of £9,275:
- BSc (Hons) Computing with Foundation Year - £9,275
- BSc (Hons) Health and Care Management with Foundation Year - £9,275
- BSc (Hons) International Hospitality and Tourism Management with Foundation Year - £9,275
- BA (Hons) Criminology and Psychology with Foundation Year - £9,275
- BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling with Foundation Year - £9,275
- BSc (Hons) Psychology with Foundation Year - £9,275
All other levels (Level 4, 5 and 6) for all courses will be £9,275.
Class Timetable
Weekday: Classes are 2 days in a week, 4 hours per day, for a total of 8 hours per week. Students can select either two mornings (9 AM - 1 PM) or two afternoons (1.30 PM - 5.30 PM).
Weekend: Classes are 2 days in a week, 4 hours per day, for a total of 8 hours per week. One day Friday (5:30 PM – 9:30 PM) and one day Saturday (10 AM – 2 PM) every week.
Evening: Classes are 2 days in a week, 4 hours per day, for a total of 8 hours per week. Students can select two evenings (5.30 PM - 9.30 PM).
Online: Students will get timetable information via email/portal.
English Language Requirements
Previously studied qualifications in English:
- 45 credits at Level 2/3, 90 credits at Level 4/5/6, 60 credits at Level 7/8, or GCSE English Language (minimum grade C/4) completed within the last 5 years.
Accepted tests (valid for 2 years):
a. Duolingo:
- Undergraduate: 105 overall (95 Literacy, 85 Conversation, 105 Comprehension, 75 Production).
- Postgraduate: 120 overall (105 Literacy, 95 Conversation, 115 Comprehension, 85 Production).
b. IELTS:
- Undergraduate: 6.0 overall (no less than 5.5 in each element).
- Postgraduate: 6.5 overall (no less than 6.0 in each element).
c. TOEFL
d. Arden University Password English Proficiency online invigilated test
e. Pearson PTE
Entry Requirements
Arden University offers standard, non-standard, and part-standard entry routes, with requirements varying by level of study. All applicants must provide supporting evidence to enroll.
Undergraduate Courses
Foundation Year
- Standard Entry:
- 3 GCSEs (A*-C or 9-4) or equivalent (e.g., Level 2 or 3 qualification with a minimum caps at 45 credits).
- Equivalency of foreign qualifications is determined using ECCTIS.
- Non-Standard Entry:
- Minimum of 12 months of full-time appropriate professional work experience, supported by references.
- Assessed via Personal Statement, CV, and Reference.
Level 4 Entry
- Standard Entry:
- 3 GCSEs (A*-C or 9-4) or equivalent and 2 A-Levels (A*-E) or equivalent (e.g., 90 credits at Level 3).
- Foreign qualifications’ equivalency checked using ECCTIS.
- Specific Requirements:
- BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance and BSc (Hons) Psychology/Psychology and Counselling: Proof of GCSE Maths (C or above). Psychology applicants may bypass this by completing a Maths Module during induction.
- LLB (Hons): 4 GCSEs (A*-C/4-9) plus 3 A-Levels/4 AS-Levels (A-E) or equivalent, and GCSE English or 2 years of suitable professional work experience.
- Non-Standard Entry:
- Minimum of 24 months of full-time appropriate professional work experience, supported by references.
- Assessed via Personal Statement, CV, and Reference.
- Additional Notes:
- Applicants missing part of standard entry can provide a CV and reference for part-standard entry.
- 60 credits at Level 4 or above may substitute for GCSEs and A-Levels.
- A completed QAA-approved Access to Higher Education Diploma is accepted.
- More than 90 credits at Level 3 can substitute for missing Level 2s (minimum 135 credits total, with at least 90 at Level 3 or higher).
Top-Up/Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Entry
- Standard Entry:
- HNDs (achieved within the last 5 years) or older HNDs require 240 Higher Education credits (at least 120 at Level 5).
- At least 180 of the 240 credits must be in a related subject area (e.g., Business, Healthcare, Computing).
- Themed routes require at least 30 credits related to the theme.
- HNDs older than 5 years require a CV and Reference covering the time since study to demonstrate skill upkeep.
- RPL Notes:
- RPL can be used for Level 5 entry (e.g., 120 credits at Level 4) but not for completed degrees.
- RPL is at the discretion of academic tutors and is not offered for the LLB program.
- Specific programs (e.g., Accounting and Finance, Psychology) have additional RPL requirements.
Postgraduate Courses
- Standard Entry: Bachelor’s (Honors) Degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent, or 120 credits at Level 7.
- Non-Standard Entry: Executive MBA and MBA: 5 years of full-time suitable managerial work experience.
- Part-Standard Entry:
- HNC/CertHE: 4-5 years of strong managerial work experience.
- HND/DipHE/FDa: 3-4 years of strong managerial work experience.
- Bachelor’s (Ordinary) Degree or 3rd Class Degree: 2-3 years of managerial work experience or 3-4 years of strong professional work experience with managerial/supervisory responsibilities.
- Program-Specific Requirements:
- Executive MBAs: Bachelor’s (Honors) Degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent plus 2 years of professional work experience, or 120 credits at Level 7. If the qualification is older than 5 years or is a Third Class/Ordinary degree, applicants should apply for the regular MBA.
- MBA (Previous Graduate): Bachelor’s (Honours) Degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent within the last 5 years, or a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) worth 120 credits at Level 7, or a completed Master’s Degree studied within the last 5 years.
- MSc Psychology: Bachelor’s (Honours) Degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent (not in Psychology) plus proof of Maths, or a Bachelor’s (Standard) Degree (2:2 or above) with a transcript showing an empirical project plus proof of Mathematics.
- Additional Notes: All postgraduate applicants must pay a holding fee of £170–£250.
General Notes
- Applicants meeting standard entry requirements may be signed off directly by the admissions team.
- Non-standard applicants are assessed by an admissions tutor.
- UK qualifications studied within the last 7–10 years may have results on the Government’s Learning Record Service (LRS).
- There is a list of banned study centers for Level 3 qualifications.
Interview Process
The Arden University interview is conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Please find below the complete guidelines to help you prepare and attend the interview successfully.
Before Your Interview:
To help your interview go smoothly, please follow these steps:
- Download Microsoft Teams: Make sure you have the Microsoft Teams app on your laptop, desktop, or phone. This is where your interview will take place.
- Join the Interview on Time: Use the link in your email calendar invite to join the interview at least 5 minutes early. If you are more than 5 minutes late, your interview will be cancelled.
- Test Your Camera & Microphone: Please check your video and audio are working before your interview starts.
- Know Your Personal Statement: Read over your personal statement again. You may be asked questions about it.
- Know Your Route of Entry: Your interview will be based on your background – either Academic or Work Experience.
- Understand Your Course: Make sure you know – What course you applied for, Why you want to study it and Whether your study mode is Blended Learning or Distance Learning.
- Prepare Questions: This is your chance to ask anything you’re unsure about before you enrol.
During the Interview:
- Stay Calm: Interviews can feel nerve-wracking, but we are here to support you.
- Listen Carefully: Take your time to understand the questions before answering.
- Speak Up: Ask any questions or raise concerns about the course or studying.
After the Interview:
- We will contact you with the result of your interview.
- If we have all your documents, we’ll send your application to our admissions team.
- If anything is missing, please send it to us (your agent) as soon as possible so we can move forward.
Ready to Start Your Funded Degree?
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