BSc Honours Psychology with Counselling Skills
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    BSc (Hons), Psychology with Counselling Skills

    This programme offers a solid grounding in modern psychology – a body of theoretical and practical knowledge concerning human behaviour and experiences. It combines a broad education in psychology with a specialist strand to develop counselling and interpersonal skills together with an understanding of the theory and practice of counselling.

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    • Overview - Why Sign Up?

      You will focus on the systems and theories that underpin both psychology and counselling, culminating in the submission of a portfolio of research and practical experience. The programme is specifically designed for those who wish to pursue a career where a detailed understanding and knowledge of human behaviour is essential and counselling skills are an important asset.

      It is important to note that graduates of the programme will not be qualified to practice as either counsellors or psychologists, but they will be eligible and well-prepared to undertake specialised postgraduate training leading into these professions.

      Psychology at Middlesex develops your skills with:

      • Placement opportunities
      • Psychophysiology labs
      • Coaching Practice
      • Counselling Simulations
      • Statistics workshops
      • Independent research under supervisor guidance
    • Course Highlights

      • It is the only course on the island that enables students to explore neuroscience through instruments and lab work.
      • The programme gives opportunities for placements in vetted institutions and with close supervision.
      • Mathematics is recommended.

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    • Modules (Year 1)

      • Mind & Behaviour in Context (30 credits)

        Introduces the five core areas of psychology (cognitive, social, biological, developmental, individual differences).

      • The Counselling Relationship (30 credits)

        Introduces a range of counselling concepts and skills.

      • Research Methods & Design in Psychology (30 credits)

        Introduces the principles and practice of quantitative and qualitative psychological research.

      • Psychological Statistics (15 credits)

        Aims to introduce you to quantitative statistical analysis as they are employed in psychological research.

      • Personal Coaching for Academic Success (15 credits)

        Aims to equip you with tools to be able to better engage in your learning it will teach you an array of independent and reflective skills from writing to dealing with exam anxiety.

    • Modules (Year 2)

      • Applied Psychology Research Methods & Ethics (30 credits)

        Will enable you to understand and evaluate psychological research and to understand how research design relates to research questions.

      • Social, Personality and Developmental Psychology (30 credits)

        Aims to develop the depth and breadth of understanding of core theory and research in developmental and social psychology whilst also explaining differences between individuals.

      • Therapeutic Applications of Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience & Individual Differences (30 credits)

        Presents an overview of the biological bases of behaviour and the cognitive approach to psychology as well introducing aspects related to individual differences as it relates to therapeutic applications.

      • Approaches to Psychological Therapies (30 credit)

        This module provides an overview of the major theories and findings underpinning the practice of psychological therapies.

    Note: Students must complete a total of 120 credits in the final year.
    • Year 3 - Dissertation Modules (Choose ONE module from the following):

      • Psychology Dissertation (30 Credits)

        This is the opportunity to engage in your own research under the supervision of a member of staff.

      • Extended Psychology Dissertation (45 Credits)

        If you really enjoy research this is an opportunity to extend those skills and conduct a research project that has greater weighting in credits and where you can increase your involvement in the research project.

    The remaining credits must be filled with the optional modules below; a maximum of one module can be taken from each block.
    • Year 3 (Optional Modules)

      • Autumn term modules (run between October - December)

        Block 1:

        • Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (15 credits)
        • Atypical Child Development (15 credits)
        • Neuropsychology: The healthy brain and what can go wrong with it (15 credits)
        • Applying health Psychology to behaviour change (15 credits)
        • Critical Forensic Psychology (15 credits)

        Block 2:

        • Creative and Visual research methods (15 credits)
        • Infancy and childhood: psychoanalytic perspectives (15 credits)
        • New Directions in Cognitive Science (15 credits)
        • Social, Cultural & Community Mental Health (15 credits)

        Block 3:

        • Creativity & Imagination (15 credits)
        • Psychology in Education (15 credits)
        • How to DO cognitive neuroscience (15 credits)
        • Contemporary Psychoanalytic Practice: Psychoanalysis for Therapists (15 credits)
      • Spring term modules (run between April - July)

        Block 4:

        • Psychology of Music (15 credits)
        • Primatology (15 credits)
        • Neuropsychology of language & communication (15 credits)
        • Death, Separation and Loss (15 credits)
        • Key Issues and Controversies in the Psychology of Elite Sport Performance (15 credits)

        Block 5:

        • Coaching Psychology (15 credits)
        • Lifespan Stages: Adult stages of development (15 credits)
        • Fundamentals of cognition: Human memory (15 credits)
        • The Science Of Intimate Relationships (15 credits)

        Block 6:

        • Therapeutic Psychology (15 credits)
        • Lifespan Issues: Impact of Life Experience (15 credits)
        • Evolutionary Approaches to Behaviour (15 credits)
        • The Psychology of Stress, Motivation and Work-Life Balance (15 credits)
      • Professional Practice (30 Credits) - this module runs all year

        This module aims to encourage a deeper understanding of the relationship between theory, research and practice, whilst allowing students to develop, review, reflect on and improve employment skills within the context of their own study and career ambitions.

    For more insight on the above optional modules per highlighted academic terms, see descriptive narratives PDF, 55.84 KB.

    What will you gain?

    Successful completion of the degree programme confers a number of graduate skills that are highly sought after by employers including:

    • deductive reasoning;
    • information finding and listening skills;
    • quantitative reasoning and research skills;
    • capacity for independent thought;
    • team-working skills;
    • interpersonal awareness;
    • and oral and written communication skills.

    Note: ***Graduates of the programme obtaining at least an Upper second will be eligible to apply for the individual British Psychological Society accreditation.

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    About the MDX Mauritius Campus

    Our new campus demonstrates what can be achieved when all stakeholders share a clear vision. The concept was developed by a London architect, Graham Wilson, who also is credited for developing many of Middlesex buildings in Hendon.

    Explore our Virtual Tour

    Fees and Funding

    Course fees are subject to annual inflation. An international Admin Fee is also applicable for international students. For more details, see link to respective fees and payment plans below.

    Payment Plans

    • Teaching and Learning

      You will be actively involved in a range of learning and teaching approaches as part of the degree such as lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions and practical workshops.  Your programme will require your active participation in learning activities and engagement with your fellow students both individually and collaboratively.

      Your programme will be facilitated using a variety of media and online tools (podcasts, wikis, etc.). Increasingly your tutors will be using existing and emerging learning technologies to engage you in e-learning activities. Associated with traditional teaching methods, you may take part in online discussions and learning activities from wherever you are studying.

      Independent Learning

      When not attending your teaching, sessions mentioned above, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and examinations. Your independent learning is supported by the facilities available including the library, Study Rooms and online materials accessible via MyUniHub.

      Overall Workload

      Your overall workload will include the activities listed above, and with each credit being completed equating to 10 hours of study time (You will complete 120 credits per level of study, which are broken down into modules of typically 30 credits).

      Academic Support

      You will have access to academic support services that you assist you in the following areas;

      • Study Skills, including academic writing, reading and numeracy skills.
      • Employability, with workshops and tutorials on CV writing, interview and presentation skills.
      • Library Support, including sessions on finding, and choosing the right resources and software and tutorials on referencing and plagiarism.
      • Progression and Support Advisors to assist you with if you experience difficulties with your studies.

      More information on how to access these services would be provided to you at your induction.

    • Assessment

      The course will provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding informally through ‘formative’ assessment. Formative assessments are developmental and any grade you receive from these does not count towards your final marks.

      The grades from the ‘summative assessments’ count towards your module mark. Assessments are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback, to suit content or based on feedback from an external examiner.

      Percentage of course assessed by coursework

      The balance of assessment will depend on the modules that you complete throughout your course. The approximate percentage of the course which is assessed by coursework is outlined below:

      Level 4

      100% Coursework

      Level 5

      30% Exam and 70% Coursework

      Level 6

      100% Coursework

      Feedback

      You will receive feedback on formative assessment and written summative assessments. Feedback is intended to help you learn and progress, and you are encouraged to review and discuss your feedback with your module or personal tutor. A lot if your feedback is also made available online.

      We will aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of submission.

      Details of progression and pass marks for assessment can be found in the university regulations.

      Teaching Staff

      You will be taught by an experienced teaching team who possess the expertise, knowledge and experience closely aligned to the content of the modules on offer. The team includes academics, professional practitioners, and technical staff. Student learning assistants are also present during labs and practical sessions to enhance understanding.

    How can the BSc Honours Psychology with Counselling Skills support your career?

    Equipped with a wide range of academic, practical, counselling and research skills, psychology with counselling skills graduates have significant career options and are employed by various clinics and organisations related to the counselling and health profession. Many of our alumni with the BSc degree have jobs in research, social work, human resources, coaching and in the public service.

    Graduates from this programme can undertake further academic study often developing in specific areas of interest within Psychology or Social Sciences. Students are eligible to take a conversion diploma in the United Kingdom after graduation.

    Postgraduate study and training are essential for those wishing to pursue the chartered psychology careers, which include many career options as seen below:

    • Career options may include:

      • Counsellor

        Counsellors listen to, empathise with, encourage and help to empower individuals. The nature of problems encountered varies according to the setting (from hospitals to schools and companies) and could include, for example, depression, anxiety, the need to manage harmful emotions and behaviours, or difficulties with coping with traumatic experience and events. Counsellors may work with clients with mild to moderate mental health problems or drug-related problems, or with people who need support because of genetic disorders or diseases such as cancer.

      • Clinical Psychologist

        Clinical psychologists meet with clients to identify problems—emotional, mental and behavioural—in their lives. Through observation, interviews and tests, the psychologist will diagnose any existing or potential disorders. Then, together with the client, they formulate a program of treatment according to the client’s needs. Psychologists monitor the client’s progress on a regular basis to ensure that their needs are met by the course of action, and to adjust it if necessary. Some clinical psychologists also conduct research and have a clinical practice.

      • Educational Psychologist

        Educational psychology is concerned with children and young people in educational and early years settings and covers learning difficulties and social and emotional problems. The work includes observations, interviews, assessments and offering consultation, advice and support to teachers, parents, the wider community as well as the young people concerned.

      • Forensic Psychologist

        Forensic psychology is the application of psychology to the process of criminal investigation and the law. The daily key tasks for forensic psychologists may include: Piloting and implementing treatment programmes, modifying offender behaviour, responding to the changing needs of staff and prisoners as well as reducing stress for staff and prisoners.

      • Exercise and Sports Psychologist

        Sport psychologists are involved in counselling referees to deal with the stressful and demanding aspects of their role, advising coaches on how to build cohesion within their squad of athletes as well as helping athletes with personal development and the psychological consequences of sustaining an injury. Exercise psychologists optimise the benefits that can be derived from exercise participation and help individual clients with the implementation of goal setting strategies.

    ***Please note that specialised postgraduate training in the relevant field in addition to the BSc degree is required to undertake the above highlighted professions.

    Studying psychology at Middlesex University Mauritius brought out the best in me.

    Anadika Buljeon, Alumnus, BSc Honours Psychology with Counselling Skills

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