Counselling and Psychotherapy with Foundation Year

University of Salford

United Kingdom, Salford

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Home/United Kingdom/Salford /University of Salford/Counselling and Psychotherapy with Foundation Year

University of Salford

United Kingdom , Salford

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

Course ID B9C9

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Next Intake September-2026

Counselling and Psychotherapy with Foundation Year

About

Introduction

In a nutshell

The Social Sciences Foundation Year programme will help you develop an understanding of the key subjects in social sciences so that you can continue to successfully study for your degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy or a related subject.

This foundation year is part of a four-year pathway which will prepare you to study your chosen social sciences course. There will also be a limited number of places on our BSc Social Work programme for suitable students of this foundation year.

The key areas of study are effective communication and study skills, combined with fundamental subjects in the social sciences. You will study modules such as sociology, criminology, social policy and social care to explore inequalities associated with gender, class, race, disability and health, using different theories to understand social change and how societies try to address inequalities and discrimination.

You will:

Be introduced to basic theories and concepts within the disciplines to provide a basic knowledge in all related subject areas.
Use different theories to understand social change and how societies try to address inequalities and discrimination.
Examine key ideas in political and social thought, discussing ideas of citizenship and democracy and learning about the development of policy.

Students having a discussion in the counselling suite

Students discussing in lecture

Students having a discussion in the counselling suite

Seminar discussions

Counselling Suite 1-1 Session Room Working with peers and patients, students develop their skills to support others.

Counselling Suite 1-1 Session Room

Students having a discussion in the Counselling Suite

Counselling Suite Reception Students practice their skills and work with real patients through our on-site clinic

This is for you if...

You need extra support to help you progress.

You have a keen interest in changing society.

You want to continue on to any of our undergraduate social sciences courses, including BSc (Hons) Counselling and Psychotherapy: Professional Practice.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Requirements

What you need to know

This course isnât suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in studying a foundation year, please visit our International Foundation Year course page.

APPLICANT PROFILE

You have a keen interest in changing society with perhaps some experience of the social sciences from school or college. If you have practical knowledge of change in the systems that provide welfare services, and economic, political and social structures this programme can assist you in the development of your ideas and progression.

To proceed on to this degree course you are required to complete the following:

Personal statement
Successful DBS and Occupational Health check
Interview

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants will be required to show proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0, with no element below 5.5, is proof of this.

Standard entry requirements

GCSE

English Language and Mathematics at grade C/ grade 4 or above, or equivalents (Functional Skills Level 2).

You must fulfil the GCSE requirements as well as one of the additional requirements listed below.

UCAS tariff points

80 UCAS Tariff points.

A level

80 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of two A-Levels.

BTEC National Diploma

MMP (BTEC Extended Diploma).

Scottish highers

80 UCAS Tariff points.

Irish Leaving Certificate

80 UCAS Tariff points to include:

English â Higher H6 (D3), Ordinary O5(C3)
Maths â Higher H6 (D3), Ordinary O5(C3)

European Baccalaureate

80 UCAS Tariff points equivalent.

Access to HE

80 UCAS Tariff points from Access to HE Diploma.

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We positively welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we receive your application, we'll assess it and recommend it for Salford Alternative Entry Scheme if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

Please contact Admissions for further information.

English Program Requirements

Equivalent qualifications

English language requirements are shown on individual course pages. Generally, this is shown as an IELTS grade, however we accept a range of equivalent qualifications.

As a general guide:

For undergraduate courses we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For postgraduate courses, we require IELTS 6.0 (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) or equivalent

For the International Foundation Year, we require IELTS 4.5 (with a minimum 4.0 in each component) in UKVI IELTS for UKVI (Academic)

The approved equivalent qualifications list includes the following:

Secure English Language Tests (SELTs)

University of Salford English language courses

Regional-based qualifications

Majority English Speaking Countries as deemed by UKVI

Medium of English Institutions

Applicants who require a Student Route visa to study in the UK may require evidence of a Secure English Language test rather than an examination or qualification due to visa requirements, as deemed by the UK Government Home Office, Visa and Immigration (UKVI).

Career

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

You will be equipped with transferable skills in areas such as research, IT, critical thinking and advanced problem solving, which will provide you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in a diverse range of professions.

A degree in social sciences provides a strong foundation for a range of occupations from policing to prison and probation work to journalism and social administration. It also provides you with the skills vital in jobs such as administration, public service and research.

Our degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Professional Practice) is a qualifying programme and graduates could expect to find employment as counsellors in a wide range of sectors including:

NHS and community mental health services
IAPT (the government’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies major initiative)
Employee support services
Counselling in voluntary organisations
Coaching and guidance services
Self-employment as a private therapist

Counselling and psychotherapy offers rewarding and diverse career opportunities. While some counsellors find employment in a single role, many develop portfolio careers that mix different types of employment in a number of sectors, such as in community health agencies, schools and as private therapists.

Often counsellors develop specialist interests so that they become sought after as providers of therapy and training in a particular field, such as working with young people, people with addictions or those experiencing bereavement.

While the qualifying degree has a strong vocational focus, it also provides you with training in the key areas sought after by graduate employers.