Guidance and Counselling BA (Hons)

How will I learn on this Guidance and Counselling course?

We will use a variety of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, group work, case discussions, problem-based exercises and experiential learning. To facilitate the independent learning that needs to take place outside of formal contact sessions, there will be directed learning tasks during every module.

Teaching is backed up by a well-designed support system that will underpin your learning journey. You will have a personal tutor with whom you can discuss academic or personal issues, and who will model good guidance practice.

A unique feature of the course is the involvement of students in the Peer Mentoring Project. In your first year you’ll be mentored by students from other years then, in turn, you’ll become a mentor in your second and final years.

Our assessment strategy is designed to support student-centred learning and you will take increasing responsibility for evaluating and improving your performance. The assessment process will encourage interaction and dialogue around learning and assessment (peer-student and teacher-student). 

Who teaches this Guidance and Counselling course?

Our team of tutors have wide experience of working in guidance, counselling, education, health and social care settings.  The team includes renowned national and international consultants, authors of key publications which inform current guidance and counselling practice and multiple award winners for innovation in career guidance.

Our tutors have built up, over several years, an excellent network of organisations that offer work placements to students. You can choose to explore professional practice as a module in the second year. There are also opportunities to undertake a full year placement between the second and final years.

Our tutors have also developed strong links with European academic institutions. There are opportunities to study counselling at the Instituto Superior de Servico Social do Porto based in Portugal, and to study social policies in Sweden. There is also the option of a short course at Hochschule Osnabrueck in Germany.

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Where will I study during my time at Northumbria?

Technology Enhanced Learning is embedded throughout the course with tools such as the ‘Blackboard’ eLearning Portal and electronic reading lists that will guide your preparation for seminars and independent research. The teaching team uses interactive technologies to provide feedback, encourage you to explore questions, and identify areas for development.

To help you develop your skills in guidance and counselling, we record sessions so that you can review the interactions and reflect upon your progress with the support of tutors.

The 24/7 University Library achieves some of the highest levels of student satisfaction in the UK and has held the Cabinet Office accreditation for Customer Service Excellence since 2010.

How is research applied to teaching throughout my course?

At Northumbria your learning will be directly impacted by the teaching team’s active research into their specialist areas, which include the theory of career development, employability, effective group facilitation, advocacy, learning and decision-making, and youth workforce development. As part of the University’s strong research-rich ethos, you will also build up your own research skills as you formulate questions, critique different interpretations and develop well-founded arguments.

In your first year you will be introduced to enquiry-based learning, engaging critically with research in seminars and assessments. In your second year there is increased focus on starting to conduct your own research. In the final year you will undertake a research project that will be a test of academic maturity, academic rigour and intellectual ambition.

How will my degree provide me with the skills needed for my career?

The content of the course is relevant to all the ‘helping professions’ and you’ll have a great deal of flexibility when it comes to careers.

Further specialist training will be required for some careers, such as counselling, social work, teaching and nursing. For other roles you might go straight into employment and undertake on the job training. Examples of roles include; careers adviser, psychological well-being practitioner, family support coordinator, training and development officer, social prescriber, lead learning mentor, behaviour specialist, progression coach, counselling and support manager. In recent years, final year BA Hons Guidance & Counselling students have been 'head hunted' by a number of organisations, particularly within the career guidance sector.

If you decide to start your own business, it’s good to know that the combined turnover of our graduates’ start-up companies is higher than that of any other UK university. 

Whatever you decide to do, you’ll have strong employability as a result of having acquired the characteristics of a Northumbria graduate. These include critical reflection and self-learning, collaboration and curiosity, and the ability to apply your knowledge to solve problems in ways that are sustainable and ethical.