DEGREE GUIDE

Counselling

What do Counselling degrees involve?

Counselling degrees teach you how to support individuals facing emotional, psychological, and mental health challenges using therapeutic techniques. You will explore key areas such as counselling theories, psychology, mental health, ethics, and interpersonal communication. These courses help you develop strong listening, empathy, and problem-solving skills while learning how to build trust and provide guidance in a professional setting. You will also gain hands-on experience through practical training, role-playing exercises, and supervised placements in healthcare, education, or community settings. With a focus on personal development and professional ethics, you’ll graduate prepared for careers in counselling, mental health support, and wellbeing services.

Example
Modules

Foundations of Counselling: Explore the core theories that shape counselling practice and learn what it means to work ethically, professionally and supportively as a counsellor.

Counselling Skills and Techniques: Practise essential skills like active listening, empathy and open questioning through role-play and guided exercises.

Human Development Across the Lifespan: Study how emotional and psychological needs evolve from childhood to adulthood and affect counselling approaches.

Common Degree Names

💼 Placements are usually embedded into the course to meet practical training requirements.
🌍 Study abroad is not commonly offered, as most programmes are tailored to UK professional standards.

BA (Hons) Counselling
BA (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy
BA (Hons) Psychology with Counselling
BA (Hons) Integrative Counselling
BA (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health

These are applied BA degrees that combine theoretical understanding with practical counselling skills and supervised experience.

Level 3 (A-level / IB Diploma (HL) / Scottish Highers)

Counselling degrees prepare you to support people through difficult times. There are no required subjects, but universities look for evidence that you can reflect, communicate well, and handle sensitive topics thoughtfully.

Subjects that can strengthen your application:

Psychology or Sociology – great preparation for understanding people and behaviour
Health & Social Care – helpful if available, especially for applied pathways
English Language or Literature – supports communication and reflective thinking
Religious Studies or Philosophy – useful for exploring ethics, values, and human experiences

✨ A mix of humanities and social science subjects shows the skills you'll need and keeps your options open.

Universities may also accept:

BTEC Extended Diplomas in Health & Social Care, Applied Psychology, or Public Services. These are commonly accepted for direct entry
T-levels in Health or Education and Early Years may also be accepted for some courses

✨ Some degrees include practical placements or preparation for therapeutic work, while others are more academic. Check the university website to match your interests and strengths.

Level 2 Qualifications (GCSE / MYP / National 5)

You’ll usually need:

GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4/C or above, or National 5s or MYP equivalents

📘 A good grade in English is especially important due to the reflective and written elements of the degree.

Biology, Religious Studies, or Health & Social Care can also support your application, but are not essential.

💬 Interviews
Interviews are common for Counselling degrees. These are often informal and focused on your motivations, personal qualities, and readiness for reflective or emotionally sensitive work.

📝 Admissions Tests
There are no standard admissions tests for Counselling. Some universities may ask you to complete a short written task or group activity at the interview stage.

🔍 Work Experience
Not required, but very helpful. Volunteering in schools, youth services, care homes, mental health settings, or helplines can help demonstrate your interest and understanding of helping roles.

If your qualifications don't match the usual entry requirements, there are some other possibilities.

🌱 Foundation Year in Counselling, Psychology or Health
Ideal for students who don’t meet the usual entry requirements or are changing direction. Many universities offer a foundation year that leads directly into the Counselling degree.

🎓 Access to HE Diploma (Counselling, Health or Social Sciences)
This is a common and well-respected route for mature students. Look for an Access course with strong content in Psychology, Health, or Communication Skills, and aim for Merits or Distinctions.

💼 Level 3 Apprenticeships
There are no direct apprenticeships in Counselling, but experience in Mental Health Support, Youth Work, or Care roles may support a future university application—especially alongside additional study or a foundation year.

Is this degree right for you?

Members can explore whether this degree fits who they are:

Skills you'd develop and whether they match your strengths
How this aligns with your interests, motivators and values
Career paths and where graduates end up

Start Your Journey → £3 a month

Full access to all self-discovery tools and guides. Cancel anytime.

Skills you would develop in a Counselling degree

Is this a good fit for you?

Use the tabs to explore the kind of person that this would be a good fit for. Do you share the Interests, Motivations and Values that people who thrive in this course tend to have? How does it compare to your Holland code?

Not sure what your Holland Code is? Want to get a better understanding of yourself to help you understand if this would fit you? Explore our pages on Self-Knowledge here.

Interests that would make a Counselling degree a good match for you

Careers a Counselling degree could lead you to