Mental Health, Wellbeing and Counselling with international foundation year Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

This course includes an integrated foundation year specifically designed for international students, allowing you to use a single visa throughout your undergraduate studies. The foundation year will help you become familiar with the teaching and assessment methods used in UK higher education while developing your English language skills to the level required for advanced undergraduate research and academic writing. Successfully completing the foundation year with the required grades will enable you to progress directly to the first year of your undergraduate degree, without the need to reapply.

Learn to promote individual psychological wellbeing and improve mental health with the University of Greater Manchester's BSc (Hons) Mental Health, Wellbeing and Counselling with international foundation year course. Combining psychology, counselling, social and community work, law, and health care with the opportunity to gain a qualification in counselling skills, this exciting multidisciplinary course opens the door to a growing number of rewarding careers.

Mental health issues affect around one in four adults, and the number of people reporting mental health problems has been increasing in recent years \[1\]. While the importance of psychological wellbeing and the therapeutic power of counselling are widely recognised, more skilled professionals are needed to support counselling services, and to work in preventative and early intervention mental healthcare roles. Further career opportunities exist in roles that impact collective mental health and wellbeing indirectly through social initiatives and family and community services.

Taught at our town-centre campus in Bolton, the University of Greater Manchester's BSc (Hons) Mental Health, Wellbeing and Counselling with international foundation year course gives you the chance to learn about the interaction between psychology, counselling, social and community work, law, and health care. You will learn to appreciate the diversity of perspectives involved, and understand how concepts from these disciplines are combined to improve the lives of individuals, families and communities.

Our friendly and experienced team will guide you as you develop knowledge of the theories, methods and debates central to mental health and wellbeing at individual, family and community levels. We'll provide support as you explore psychology, gain specific counselling skills, and consider broader social, healthcare, and legal issues that impact psychological and physical wellbeing. We'll also focus on developing your knowledge and skills in applied research methods, especially those relating to evidence-based practice, as this will be of great value as you progress in your career.

Interpersonal and transferable skills are vital, so we'll challenge you to develop sought-after communication, problem-solving, numerical, analytical, self-management, and IT skills. Our dedicated team will focus on helping you gain the skills employers value and a detailed understanding of mental health, wellbeing, and counselling.

\[1\] https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/mental-health-facts-and-statistics/#HowCommonAreMentalHealthProblems accessed on 17 September 2026