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An image to illustrate the BSc (Honours) Psychology with Counselling
Psychological therapies are rooted in psychological understanding, so this degree provides a strong foundation in psychology with a specific focus on how counselling works and how it can help people change. You’ll consider how counsellors and psychologists use theories and evidence to contribute to debates about how we understand mental health conditions, diagnosis and treatment options, and how psychology is critical to understanding mental health, relationships, education and employment.
Study an online psychology degree accredited by the BPS:
British Psychological Society (BPS) logo.
Whilst accredited by The British Psychological Society, this degree does not qualify you to practise as a counsellor, psychotherapist or clinical or counselling psychologist. To work therapeutically with clients requires further training, for which this degree is excellent preparation.
This psychology with counselling degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
Our modular study approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that fits around your life. Whether you prefer a fast track or want to work at a slower rate, you can tailor your study plan to suit your needs.
You’ll begin with a choice of an introduction to psychology and counselling or the science of human health. Next, you’ll explore how psychologists study our thinking and behaviour, and how academic research can be applied in real-life settings. This will give you a firm foundation to progress to more specialised study in counselling and psychology, as well as developing essential study skills.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll start your degree with one from the following:
Exploring psychological worlds: thinking, feeling, doing (D110)60Oct | Feb
Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)60Oct | Feb
You’ll complete Stage 1 with the following:
Encountering psychology in context (D120)60Oct | Feb

At Stage 2, you’ll begin by examining counselling approaches to real-world issues such as relationships, depression and trauma. You'll study mental health in contexts such as the criminal justice system and the service user movement. You’ll also expand on the core areas of psychology introduced in Stage 1, learn the research methods used by professional psychologists, and undertake research projects.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Exploring mental health and counselling (D241)60Oct
You’ll complete Stage 2 with the following:
Investigating psychology 2 (DE200)60Oct | Feb

At Stage 3, you’ll begin with a module in counselling and forensic psychology, which takes an applied approach to issues such as counselling vulnerable clients and working therapeutically with offenders. You’ll complete your degree by exploring the relationship between the questions psychologists ask and the methods chosen to answer them. As part of the final core psychology module, you'll carry out an independent research project.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Counselling and forensic psychology: investigating crime and therapy (DD310)60Oct
You'll complete your degree with the following:
Investigating psychology 3 (DE300)60Oct | Feb

You can complete this degree in as little as three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s 120 credits per year. You’ll need to start your degree in October and can choose to study two 60-credit modules at the same time or start one in October and the other in February.
Don’t worry if your circumstances change. You don’t have to stick to a full-time study pace. You can change the pace of your learning each year depending on what's right for you.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll study one of the following:
Exploring psychological worlds: thinking, feeling, doing (D110)60Oct | Feb
Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)60Oct | Feb
You'll study the following:
Encountering psychology in context (D120)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 2
You'll study both of the following:
Exploring mental health and counselling (D241)60Oct
Investigating psychology 2 (DE200)60Oct | Feb
Stage 3 | Year 3
You'll study both of the following:
Counselling and forensic psychology: investigating crime and therapy (DD310)60Oct
Investigating psychology 3 (DE300)60Oct | Feb

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s one 60-credit module each year.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with one of the following:
Exploring psychological worlds: thinking, feeling, doing (D110)60Oct | Feb
Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)60Oct | Feb
Stage 1 | Year 2
You’ll complete Stage 1 with the following:
Encountering psychology in context (D120)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 3
You'll study the following:
Exploring mental health and counselling (D241)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 4
You’ll complete Stage 2 with the following:
Investigating psychology 2 (DE200)60Oct | Feb
Stage 3 | Year 5
You'll study the following:
Counselling and forensic psychology: investigating crime and therapy (DD310)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 6
You'll complete your degree with the following:
Investigating psychology 3 (DE300)60Oct | Feb

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, multimedia study resources, online tutorials and detailed feedback.
You’ll be awarded a BSc (Honours) Psychology with Counselling upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3. 
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 16 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
The compulsory modules DE200 and DE300 use SPSS Statistics software that requires a 64-bit operating system. Therefore, you’ll need a computer with Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.

You’ll find detailed computing requirements for each module in the ‘Computing requirements’ section of the module descriptions.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

6 years
£4,088*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying one 60-credit module per year for 6 years.
£24,528*
Our qualifications cost less than equivalent-level qualifications offered at campus-based universities.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£29,370
£29,370
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£24,528
£24,528
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,580
£19,580
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£16,352
£16,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,790
£9,790
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£8,176
£8,176
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,614
£1,614
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£29,370
£29,370
£24,528
£24,528
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,580
£19,580
£16,352
£16,352
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,790
£9,790
£8,176
£8,176
£1,614
£1,614
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 26/27 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
As well as specific knowledge and skills in psychology and counselling, this degree course will help you to develop transferable and work-related skills that are highly valued by employers.
This degree is relevant to a broad range of careers, including those within the health and social care system, and organisations in the statutory and voluntary sectors. Knowledge of human behaviour, counselling and related 'people skills' are recognised by employers as real assets in working with individuals and teams. You'll gain a theoretical basis in counselling as well as a broad understanding of psychology that will prepare you to work in a variety of ways with a diverse range of people.
Please note that this psychology degree with a specialism in counselling theory does not qualify you to practise as a counsellor, psychotherapist or counselling or clinical psychologist. To work therapeutically with clients requires further training – for which this degree is excellent preparation. For example:
Graduates achieving a 2.2 or better for this qualification are eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) conferred by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
British Psychological Society (BPS) logo.
As a graduate of psychology and counselling you'll have an impressive breadth of knowledge and skills that are highly attractive to employers across a wide range of fields. These include:
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This include online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the website are available to see at any time, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree:
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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