Psychology and Counselling BA (Hons)

Through studying a Psychology degree at BGU you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the scientific nature of the subject and of its wider cultural and social impact. This course will develop your understanding of psychology and its theories of the mind, emotions and behaviour and become familiar with how these theories are applied in our lives, communities and societies.<br/><br/>The programme adopts a humanistic approach to counselling practice; the ‘humanistic’ label is an umbrella term for counselling approaches which are client-centred and fundamentally focused on the therapeutic relationship. Humanistic counselling requires a high level of self-awareness and, consequently, students will embark upon a journey of personal development throughout the programme. Alongside this process, students will learn about both the theoretical underpinnings of humanistic counselling and the practical application of that theory.<br/><br/>Psychology<br/><br/>Do you ever wonder why is it we behave as we do? How do gangs, teams and friendship groups form? Do you wonder if smiling really does make you feel more positive? Do you often venture into the bigger questions about life and who we are?<br/><br/>Psychology has a science base, yet includes a balance of liberal arts, technological knowledge, statistics and computer-based skills. As well as classic psychological theories and research, on this undergraduate degree you’ll be debating social issues, studying specific mental processes, such as memory, language and attention, as well as broader issues and theories – both historical and contemporary. As well as applying psychological knowledge to a range of subjects, you will develop your skills in problem-solving, data analysis, predict and reasoning, with a focus on real-world application.<br/><br/>Here at BGU in Lincoln, we ensure you have close support and contact with your tutors and, with small group sizes, you’ll always get the support and feedback you need on your course. We also know how important it is to experience a real working environment so, through work placements and other projects, you’ll be equipped for whichever career path you may choose after your degree. With research-informed teaching and research-active staff, you’ll receive scientific training and gain an in-depth understanding of the nature of the subject, at the same time as applying your knowledge and theory to real-life.<br/><br/>Counselling<br/><br/>This joint honours programme focuses on a humanistic approach, specifically Carl Rogers person-centred therapy, and designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of counselling theories and techniques without the focus on becoming a practitioner. The programme offers an exploration of humanistic counselling approaches, personal growth, self-awareness and the development of therapeutic relationships.<br/><br/>Students in the Counselling half subject will study various humanistic counselling models, such as person-centred therapy, transactional analysis, and gestalt therapy. Students will develop essential counselling skills, including active listening, empathy, and effective communication. Opportunities will be provided for students to engage in role-plays and reflective exercises to enhance their practical abilities.<br/><br/>While this joint degree programme does not focus on training students to become a counselling practitioner, it does equip them with a strong foundation in humanistic counselling and skills, that will be transferrable into various career paths or to pursue further training in this field.