100 hours clinical placement to enable you to register as a counsellor with a regulatory body such as the BACP
Learn from practising counsellors and psychotherapists and experienced lecturers
The opportunity to become more self-aware and experience personal growth
Utilise our specialist facilities to include our counselling suites
Focused humanistic approach throughout the course
At a time of mental strain on populations, as a counsellor and psychotherapist you will be at the forefront of responding to these societal needs and you will be changing peoples’ lives. This course is more than an academic programme and will transform you academically, professionally and personally.
Academically, this course focuses on enabling students to develop a firm grounding in understanding the humanistic theories of counselling and psychotherapy and to develop core academic skills of critical analysis and reflection. Professional counselling skills will be developed and applied in clinical placement. On a personal level, the programme will be transformable in terms of building self-awareness, confidence and understanding relationships. Those personal benefits are transferable toany relationship or employment which involves people.
Top20for student satisfactionPsychology subject area - Complete University Guide 2025
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Key characteristics
The course has five ‘pillars’ to meet the training, practice and competencies required for students to work professionally as counsellors and psychotherapists. These run throughout the three years, which are:
Theory and Development
Clinical Skills & Reflective Practice
Personal Development
Professional & Ethical Development
Research
Our pillars have been mapped* against several external reference points from professional agencies, which align with key industry competency frameworks and curricula, i.e., BACP, QAA, and SCoPEd
Aims of the course
To provide you with the opportunity to gain a professional qualification, leading to professional registration as a counsellor or psychotherapist.
To provide opportunities for you to develop a psychological understanding of your interpersonal processes and learning style.
To provide an opportunity for you to increase your employability prospects by strongly emphasising the development of clinical counselling skills and reflective and ethical practice.
To provide you with opportunities for personal, professional, and ethical development through critical self-awareness.
To provide flexible learning opportunities and widen participation.
To provide opportunities for you to develop your understanding of health and social care settings, contexts, and frameworks.
To provide flexible learning opportunities that stimulate an enquiring, analytical and creative approach, encouraging independent judgment and engagement with research and innovation.
To provide you with a coherent and challenging programme to facilitate counselling skill development to meet market demands.
Benefit from our employer partnerships
Our course is underpinned by strong professional partnerships so you can be confident it delivers the skills and knowledge that employers are seeking. You will also gain essential practical experience whilst on placement. Placement hours are subject to change.
We give you the opportunity to take part in insight visits which will shed light on how relevant organisations across the health, social care and educational sectors operate. You may find yourself shadowing a health care worker, sitting in a support group, participating in different wellbeing groups such as meditation, mindfulness or art therapy, or undertaking personal therapy to gain new perspectives on how the theories work in practice.
Thanks to our strong network of contacts, the course features guest lectures by influential figures from the profession, including Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) and Children and Young People Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies (CYP IAPT) practitioners, art therapists, drama therapists, and mental health practitioners. These will give you a broad vision of what might be involved in the therapeutic settings you could encounter in your future career.
Be inspired by our expert teaching team
You’ll be motivated, challenged and supported by our teaching team. All are specialists within their therapeutic fields, so will keep you up to date with the latest thinking and practice.
Our staff include influential researchers, published authors and high-profile practitioners who have active roles on the leading professional bodies. They undertake a wide range of research which places us at the cutting edge of policy change and helps to shape the future of the profession. The team is frequently commissioned to run specialist programmes which underpin national policy on mental health.
Working together to learn from each other
Successful counselling and psychotherapy professionals have to be adaptable, versatile and prepared to work in multi-agency teams. You will therefore have opportunities to learn with, and from, students from other disciplines through our Inter-Professional Learning agenda.
This is important in preparing you to work alongside other professionals after graduation so that you can achieve positive outcomes for your clients. We adopt this approach right from the start of your course, where you will attend a major conference with other new Health and Social Care students representing courses ranging from nursing to social work.
Outstanding learning facilities
You’ll be based at Kedleston Road, our Derby campus, which boasts some of the best resources for health and social care learning that you’ll find in any university, including a clinical skills suite, immersive simulation room, domestic living suite and a community care living space. The clinical skills suite includes five rooms dedicated to counselling along with group behavioural observation rooms.
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.
Big spaces for big ideas
Kedleston Road offers it all: study in our largest library, relax at Basecamp, train in real-world healthcare settings, and stay active in our state-of-the-art Sports Centre.
The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.
You will learn from lecturers who have a wealth of knowledge and experience and who bring their latest thinking to your studies. You will have interactive teaching sessions including lectures, small group seminars, counselling skills workshops and personal development groups. We ensure you have the right level of support to succeed, we are responsive, approachableand empathic in supporting your learning needs.
How you’re assessed
You will be assessed mainly through assignments via essays, posters, presentations and reports. There are no exams on this course.
In addition to direct teaching by faculty staff the University also makes use of blended learning through which students will be able to enhance and progress their learning. Through the university’s online portal, University of Derby Online (UDO), students can access the university virtual learning environment which forms an important part of the delivery of the programme and provides a facility through which tutors can supply lecture notes and presentations, links to learning resources and information and announcements pertinent to studies.
Helping you reach your full potential
Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.
At the University of Derby, every student is assigned a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) from the very start of their degree journey. This dedicated tutor becomes a key figure in your academic life, offering guidance, support, and insight to help you make the most of your university experience. Whether it's through one-to-one meetings or more informal catch-ups, your PAT will work with you to explore your strengths, address any challenges, and help you achieve your full potential. This relationship is designed to ensure you're not just succeeding academically, but also growing as an individual, developing the skills and confidence you'll need for your future career.
Your PAT will provide tailored advice to support your academic journey, whether that's by discussing your work, helping you set goals, or exploring career options. These regular meetings give you the space to reflect on your progress, understand where improvements can be made, and build on your strengths. At Derby, we want you to feel both challenged and supported. Your PAT will encourage you to push your boundaries, think critically about your work, and develop a proactive approach to your studies.
But it's not just about coursework. Your PAT will also help you identify extra-curricular opportunities, whether that's joining clubs, gaining work experience, or developing new skills outside of your course. These experiences not only enhance your CV but also give you the confidence to tackle future challenges. In short, your Personal Academic Tutor will be there to guide you every step of the way, ensuring you leave university with more than just a degree — but with a wealth of experiences, skills, and the knowledge that you're ready for the next chapter of your life.
Who will teach you
Kathy Humberstone
Programme Leader
Kathy Humberstone
Kathy is a senior lecturer and the programme leader of BSc Counselling and Psychotherapy: Principles and Practices.
With careers advice an integral part of your studies, this course equips you to compete effectively in the graduate careers market. After graduation you’ll have a wide range of options and could progress to roles within health and social care, counselling, psychotherapy and psychology.
This course enables you to be eligible to register for one of the counselling and psychotherapy regulatory bodies such as the BACP or NCPS.
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 (Humanistic Approaches) 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.
Postgraduate study
This course is also suitable if you wish to study at postgraduate level on courses such as:
MSc Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy
MA Art Therapy
MA Drama Therapy
MA Dance Movement Therapy
Other post-graduate routes may also include social work, education, youth work and mental health nursing.
Logan's preparing for life as a qualified therapist
A placement at a primary school was the stepping stone that inspired Logan Strouther on his chosen career path. The BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy Principles and Practices graduate is now well on his way to becoming a qualified therapist.
After ten years of considering applying to university, mature student Tania Wilson finally took the plunge and applied to the University of Derby to study Counselling and Psychotherapy. She has now graduated and is ready for the next stage of her academic career.
96% of UK graduates are in employment or further study.
Top 5 for employability. Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.
87% of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.
Getting you career ready
Your degree is only part of your story. We're here to help prepare you for life after university. We'll tailor your talents and help you build the tools that will set you apart when you are ready to look for your first graduate role.
Our staff have valuable and varied experiences in the workplace and beyond. And we have great links to industry. This means you'll have opportunities to apply your learning. You'll find work experience that's directly relevant to your studies, including placements and real projects set by businesses.
Our promise
We promise to provide an inclusive approach; supporting, advising and guiding you on your employability journey to success. We will listen to your needs and signpost opportunities for you to engage with up to three years after graduation.
At the University of Derby, we aim to attract the very best students to join us and to support their progression to university to ensure they reach their full potential and achieve their ambitions. We believe the very best students come from all backgrounds and we want to build a community that reflects our society.
What is a contextual offer?
Contextual offers are used by universities and colleges to take account of a student’s individual circumstances. Employing contextual offers at the University Derby will allow our admissions team to identify applicants with the greatest potential to succeed in higher education and be an exceptional Derby student. This makes the application process fairer and builds confidence in students about their ability to be part of our academic community.
We will use the information in an application form and may either reduce grade requirements or give extra consideration when deciding whether to give a contextual offer. We will also support these students through information, advice and guidance, outreach activities and on-campus visits before and during the application process.
What is the criteria?
Typical criteria may include one or more of the following:
Students who are care experienced
Students who are estranged from their families
Students who are refugees or asylum seekers
Students whose parents/carers are in the UK armed forces
*Please note students need to declare they meet one of these criteria on their application.
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.
Included in your fees
All essential software
Access to materials included in taught areas
DBS check
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
Clinical supervision in years 2 and 3 (if not provided by your placement)
Indemnity insurance in years 2 and 3 (if not provided by your placement)
Personal therapy (30 hours over years 2 and 3)
Optional costs not included in your fees
BACP student membership if desired
Continuing professional development: you may wish to undertake additional training courses or attend conferences at your own cost if desired
Printing costs of course materials if hard copies are desired
You may wish to purchase reading materials or e-books
Our undergraduate and postgraduate course pages will show the intakes that are available and open to applications. It's best to apply early so you can secure your place and beat the rush.
Once we have received your application and supporting documents (such as qualifications or references), we will review it and contact you within 4 weeks to let you know if you have been successful or not.
Our aim is to support all students to have the best possible opportunities to succeed and so our application and enrolment deadlines are in place to ensure you stand the best chance of doing so.
Joining the programme later may harm your chances of success on your course. It is therefore vital that you take note of the dates and ensure you submit your completed application and subsequent enrolment in time.
Undergraduate and postgraduate taught deadlines
Please note some courses may have an earlier induction, teaching and enrolment deadline date.
If your course operates a gathered field or pooled admissions process there may be an earlier application date. Please check your individual course page for further details.
If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.
If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.
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.
Course updates
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.
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.
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.
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