Psychology and Counselling (with optional placement year)

Psychology enables you to study the workings of the human mind and how this is revealed in human behaviour, both consciously and unconsciously. As a psychology student, you will be introduced to psychological theories and will learn to critically evaluate them so that you can reach your own well-informed conclusions about the nature and origins of human and non-human behaviour. Counselling is the process of assisting someone to resolve psychological issues or difficulties, so understanding why humans behave as they do is critical to the efficacy of any intervention.

You’ll have access to excellent facilities and equipment. We have recently invested £320k in new hardware and software for our psychology laboratories and we also have a laboratory in the new £13m state-of-the-art Health and Wellbeing Building officially opened in June 2023.

Studying psychology enables you to develop a diverse range of transferable skills which are valued highly by employers. We are proud to be ranked 1st in the UK for graduates in career 15 months after graduation for Psychology (Guardian University Guide, 2023).

On this course, you will be equipped with a thorough grounding in each of the major fields in psychology: social psychology; developmental psychology; biological psychology; and cognitive psychology. In addition, you will explore abnormal psychology, contemporary and historic issues in psychology and individual differences. This will be underpinned by thorough training in research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, and exploration of the scientific method. You will be encouraged to evaluate a range of theories and research evidence, helping you to become a critical thinker whilst encouraging you to reach your own informed conclusions. In addition, you will also explore the skills required to be a counsellor, the use of theory in a counselling context, humanistic and psychodynamic perspectives, and will have an introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

This programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) which means that on successful completion of your degree you will be eligible for graduate based chartership (GBC) of the BPS. GBC of the BPS is a mandatory requirement for access to practitioner psychology training programmes, including postgraduate clinical and counselling psychology courses.
You have the option to take a professional placement and study aboard year as part of this course.
There are many opportunities open to psychology degree holders including, and not limited to:
Psychologist
Psychotherapist
Social Worker
Counsellor
Educational Psychologist
Human Resource Manager
Teacher
Research roles
Media roles
Although some of these roles will be available to you with a psychology undergraduate degree, many require further study at postgraduate level.

Big ambitions, real opportunities - study at a university recognised for outstanding teaching and student experience. At Suffolk, you’ll benefit from career-focused courses designed in partnership with industry, hands-on learning that builds real-world skills, and strong employer connections that open doors. Their supportive, close-knit community means you’re more than just a number, with personalised support every step of the way. From day one, you’ll gain the confidence, experience and practical knowledge you need to stand out and shape your future with success.