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Studying at Abertay

Mental Health & Counselling

Next start date: September 2011

Degree type: BA (Hons)
UCAS Code: CL85 BA/MH
Duration: 4 years (full-time)


 

Intro


How to Apply
Why choose this course?

  • Emphasis on developing competence in use of counselling skills
  • Sound grounding in mental health issues
  • Mental health service users actively engaged in the delivery of the course
  • Work-based learning component 
  • Opportunity to work towards COSCA (in Scotland) accredited Certificate in Counselling Skills
We take pride in developing graduate training that prepares graduates to work in a variety of health and social care settings; we do this by blending university study on campus with placements in the wide community.

What you study

The course includes modules on mental health, counselling skills, research, psychology and health studies.  You are introduced to a broad range of perspectives on mental health and counselling, and learn approaches that are based on the evidence, and that also draw on the perspectives of people who have (or have had) mental health problems.

An important element of the course is work placement.  Please note that students entering year 3 will have to provide the appropriate criminal records check documentation before being eligible to undertake a placement, which is a core module.

How you learn
A variety of teaching methods is used to develop your knowledge and skills.  Teaching is focused around a lecture programme supported by tutorials, practical exercises, case studies and seminars.  A strong collaborative input from specialised health areas at Abertay including a variety of health professional backgrounds helps to provide a mulit-disciplinary, collaborative experience of health and teamwork. 

You will typically spend around 12 hours per week attending classes and would be expected to undertake approximately 20 hours per week of private study. In year 4, the Honours project is your opportunity to develop your understanding of how research can be used to inform practice.  For many employers this is a key skill.

How you are assessed
Assessment on this course is carried out via a combination of means including coursework, exam and work placement report. A broad range of coursework assessment is used throughout, including essays, exams, poster presentations, reports, portfolios and class tests.

Entry routes

Higher BBC; A Level CC; ILC (H) BBC; UCAS Tariff 168 points*
*See UCAS Tariff Guidance below
Essential subjects: English or a literate subject (e.g. History)

Criminal record check required
Health screening check required
Interview required


UCAS Tariff Guidance

Although there is no limit to the number of points that you can accumulate, for entry to Abertay you must have qualifications at an appropriate level (SCQF 6/NQF 3); you cannot count the same or similar qualifications twice; Standard Grades, Intermediate 2s, GCSEs and key/core skills cannot be counted; and D grades at SQA Higher and Advanced Higher are not counted.

Applicants who have taken either SQA Highers or A Levels must offer at least three Highers or two A Levels for degree entry (or two Highers or one A Level for DipHE entry).  If you have studied a subject at two different levels, the most advanced will be taken into consideration; e.g. if you studied both Higher Biology and Advanced Higher Biology, then only the Advanced Higher will be counted.

Overseas/EU
All applicants are required to provide certified proof of competence in English Language and the University's minimum requirements are listed here

In addition, all applicants satisfy a Disclosure Scotland and health screening check.

Mature
Applications from mature students are assessed on the same criteria used for school leavers, e.g. SQA Highers or GCE A Levels, where relevant school leaving qualifications exist. For those without standard entry qualifications, consideration is given to experience gained as well as professional qualifications and other forms of learning that could provide evidence of ability to benefit from a particular course.

The successful completion of approved access courses (such as those offered by Dundee College in association with the universities of Abertay, Dundee and St Andrews) provides significant evidence of ability to benefit from study at Abertay.

In addition, all applicants satisfy a Disclosure Scotland and health screening check. All applicants are interviewed.

For further advice please use our Ask a Question section.

Course content

Year 2
Module Code
Module Title
Core/Option
Semester
Credits
 
PS0801A
Biological Psychology
Core
Semester 2
15
PS0802A
Cognitive Psychology
Core
Semester 1
15
HE0814A
Health, Illness and Disease
Core
Semester 2
15
HE0811A
Introduction to Evidence Based Practice
Core
Semester 1
15
HE0809A
Introduction to Public Health
Core
Semester 1
15
MC0803A
Key Readings in Mental Health
Core
Semester 2
15
MC0802A
Third Wing: Recovery in Action
Core
Semester 2
15
MC0800A
Understanding mental distress
Core
Semester 1
15
 


Year 3
Module Code
Module Title
Core/Option
Semester
Credits
 
MC0904A
Counselling skills in healthcare settings 1
Core
Semester 1
15
MC0905A
Counselling skills in healthcare settings 2
Core
Semester 2
15
HE0931A
Health promotion
Core
Semester 1
15
HE0902A
Research Methods for Health Professionals
Core
Semester 1
15
MC0908A
Work-Based Learning
Core
Semester 2
30
MC0906A
Working with older people
Core
Semester 2
15
MC0907A
Working with people with persistent mental health problems
Core
Semester 1
15
 


Year 4
Module Code
Module Title
Core/Option
Semester
Credits
 
HE1000A
Research Project
Core
Semester 1 & 2
30
PS1027A
Clinical Psychology
Core
Semester 1
15
HE1023A
Collaborative Working in Community Settings
Core
Semester 2
15
MC1000A
Counselling skills in healthcare settings 3
Core
Semester 1
15
MC1001A
Counselling skills in healthcare settings 4
Core
Semester 2
15
MC1002A
Critical Perspectives on Mental Distress
Core
Semester 2
15
HE1027A
Critical issues in public health
Core
Semester 1
15
 


Information on course structures and modules is drawn from 2011/2 data and may be subject to change without prior notification. Students who are registering with us will be provided with the up to date information on their course structure in order to allow them to register on the appropriate modules

More info

Your future
Career opportunities are available in the NHS, social care sectors, voluntary organisations and education. The course may also provide a platform for further education and vocations within allied health professions and employment within community-based practice. 

Although this course provides the opportunity to work towards the COSCA (Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland) accredited Certificate in Counselling Skills, the course is not intended to provide counsellor training.  However, successful completion of the course means that you will have the qualifications required to apply for our postgraduate counselling training programme.

Your programme of study is designed to help you demonstrate to employers your comprehensive and independent understanding of counselling and to show an appreciation of its richness using principles, exceptions and examples.

More information
BA Hons Mental Health & Counselling


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