Psychology with Counselling and Psychotherapy Integrated Foundation Year

Do you have an inquiring mind and enjoy debating ideas, with a desire to listen to and support others? On this degree, you will explore the human experience across a range of contexts and lifespans.

Our foundation year will help you on your way to achieving the full BSc Hons. This course is designed to help you develop the skills needed to competently and compassionately help people explore their difficulties, express their feelings and work towards deeper self-awareness and understanding. Our psychology degrees are ranked 1st in the North West and 11th in the UK (GUG 2023 Results).

Course Overview
If you're passionate about pursuing a career in psychology, counselling or psychotherapy but do not have the qualifications for direct entry, our IFY offers a supportive alternative route into HE.

On this course you will explore human experience across a range of contexts and lifespans, from understanding the biological basis of behaviour to questioning the impact of social media on child development. You'll learn the academic knowledge and practical skills you need to help make a difference in the lives of others.

Accredited by the BPS, you'll be able to apply for a Graduate Basis for Chartership, helping you develop the knowledge and skills for a successful career in psychology or counselling/psychotherapy. This standout course adheres to the training requirements of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to apply for individual membership of the BACP and apply for registration, subject to passing the BACP Proficiency.

On this course you'll
• Explore and apply psychological literature to current issues, contexts and experiences



• Develop key knowledge, skills and abilities to help you prepare to become a counsellor, psychotherapist



• Develop your knowledge and build a solid foundation of the core skills needed to progress from the foundation year onto the full BSc Hons



• Be taught and given high-quality support and guidance by our expert lecturing team, who are active in research and practices.



• Have the opportunity to get involved in a range of extracurricular activities including sessions by experts in the field of psychology and counselling.



• Benefit from our excellent links with regional and national charities, not-for-profit and penal institutions to gain work experience and enhance your job prospects.



What You'll Learn
You'll learn about the research, knowledge, skills and attributes needed to work within psychological and therapeutic settings. You'll start by building your knowledge and developing your key skills through lectures, workshops and problem-based learning. You'll explore the history of psychology, research methods and analytical techniques.

You'll examine the wider issues around therapeutic diversity whilst gaining work experience within therapeutic settings allowing you to further advance your knowledge, skills and advanced counselling skills. An independent research project will allow you to explore a topic of your interest.

With campuses in the Lake District, Carlisle, Lancaster, Ambleside, Barrow, and London, you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty, supportive communities, and real opportunities.

With strong links to law firms, schools, NHS Trusts, creative agencies, and employers nationwide, we connect your learning directly to your future career.

Ranked the No. 1 university in the Northwest and in the Top 5 in the UK for Graduates into employment or further study within 15 months (97.5% of Graduates – Graduate Outcomes Survey, HESA 2026), Cumbria is a university focused on your future from day one.