Develop a scientific understanding of human behaviour, paired with practical counselling skills. Ranked TOP in Scotland for Psychology teaching (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).
Combine your understanding of human behaviour with strong counselling skills on this BPS-accredited degree. Ranked TOP in Scotland for Psychology teaching (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).
You’ll develop an understanding of human behaviour and combine it with a knowledge of mental health and practical counselling skills.
Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes, and the relation between the two. You’ll explore how we act and interact as individuals and in groups, and the thoughts and feelings that motivate behaviour.
Counselling is about psychological theory with interventions and therapeutic practice. You’ll cover the perspectives of society and healthcare providers, along with the skills to engage appropriately in helping conversations. You’ll need to share personal experiences and support others in sharing theirs.
You’ll graduate in a good starting point for people-focused careers like teaching, research, social work, marketing, human resources and more.
Our Psychology and Counselling degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and its core areas follow the curriculum set out by the BPS. This accreditation is essential if you want to become a Chartered Psychologist and means that successful graduates can apply for further professional psychology training.
Learn psychology and counselling skills at the best modern university in Scotland for psychology research.The course has regularly scored over 90% forOverall Student Satisfaction in the National Student Survey for the last five years.
The support of my lecturers was a game-changer for me. They provided a sense of belonging and understood me...which was invaluable. Kristen McEwan, Psychology and Counselling graduate
Your journey starts here
With a close-knit community and plenty of one-on-one time with staff, our Psychology and Counselling degree equips you with a range of transferable skills, ensuring you’re highly sought-after upon graduation. You’ll cover core topics such as:
Cognitive psychology
Biological and Individual Differences Psychology
Social psychology
Developmental Psychology
Counselling theories and interventions
Therapeutic skills and approaches
This course gives you a broad knowledge base across all areas of psychology and counselling.
Career opportunities
Our graduates go into careers such as:
Counsellor*
Psychologist*
Social worker
Teacher
Youth worker
Working in the charity sector
*As well as psychology training, you’ll also develop knowledge and skills in counselling so you can go onto postgraduate training as a counselling psychologist or practitioner.
Develop wide-ranging skills
Psychology and Counselling graduates have transferable skills which are in high demand in the general graduate job market.
This includes communication, numeracy and statistics, information technology, research evaluation and analytical thinking. Which means you’ll get a good starting point for people-focused careers like teaching, research, social work, marketing, human resources, civil service and management.
How the course works
Learning and assessment
Teaching is delivered through a variety of recorded and live lectures, practical laboratory classes, and interactive tutorials, along with peer-group and independent study. Counselling skills are developed through small group work and reflective practice.
Assessments are designed to test a breadth of skills. This includes examinations and class tests, laboratory reports, reflective portfolios, essays, presentations (both oral and posters), research projects, practical skills exams, and scientific articles and case studies.
Extra consideration when applying
Your understanding of mental health and well-being will be informed as much through experience as it is by research and theory. This means you will be required to work closely and supportively with your fellow students and to use personal experiences to help you develop self-awareness and resilience.
Accreditation
This degree is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and its core areas follow the curriculum set out by the BPS. This is essential if you want to become a Chartered Psychologist and means that successful graduates can apply for further professional psychology training.
Please note: All applicants must have passes in English and Maths - National 5 grade C or GCSE grade C/4 or equivalent. National 5 ESOL is accepted in lieu of National 5 English. National 5 Lifeskill Maths and Application of Maths at grade B accepted in lieu of Maths. You may be eligible to take ABE111: Numbers for Everyday Life in lieu of a National 5 Maths qualification at grade C or GCSE grade C/4 or an acceptable equivalent.
Higher Application of Maths at grade C accepted.
If there is a subject that does not appear, please contact our Admissions Office (admissions@abertay.ac.uk) who will be able to confirm whether or not it would be considered for entry.
If you have the potential and motivation to study at university, regardless of your background or personal circumstances, we welcome your application.
We understand some people have faced extra challenges before applying to university, which is why we consider the background in which your academic grades have been achieved when making an offer.
If you expect to receive passes in three Scottish Highers (grades A–C) and have...
been in care, or are a young carer yourself
attended a school or lived in an area where not many people go to university
are eligible for free school meals
are a young person estranged from your family
are a government-recognised refugee or have asylum seeker status
are a registered pupil with sustained engagement in a targeted aspiration-raising programme such as LIFT OFF, LEAPS, FOCUS West or Aspire North
... we encourage you to submit an application.
Qualification Type
Grade Requirements
Essential Subjects
Higher (standard entry)
BBBC
None
Higher (minimum entry) We may make you an offer at the minimum entry grades if you meet the criteria. Find out if you're eligible for minimum entry (see below).
BBC
None
A-Level
CCC
None
T Level
C or higher
in Core Component in one of the following:- Education & Early Years, Health, Healthcare Science, Science or Legal Services
Irish Highers
H3H3H3H3
None
International Baccalaureate Diploma Based Programme (IBDP)
28 Points
None
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP)
We encourage applications with the IBCP but understand that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.
We accept the International Baccalaureate Careers-related Programme (IBCP). Any subject requirements must be met as per our published IB Diploma requirements.
BTEC Extended Diploma
MMM
Any
SWAP Access
ABB
Humanities, Arts, Humanities and Primary Education, Nursing
Successful completion of the relevant stream of our AHEAD programme
Qualification Type
Grade Requirements
Essential Subjects
SQA HNC/HND Counselling
C/CC
Fife College only
Industry links
Our staff have strong research backgrounds, and many are members of professional societies. There are good links between psychology staff and industry, and most of our counselling staff are also current practitioners.
Scotland's first Adobe Creative Campus
All Abertay students have access to Adobe Express, empowering you to enhance digital skills with industry-leading tools.
In late 2024, Abertay proudly became the first institution in Scotland to achieve the designation of Adobe Creative Campus.
The Adobe Creative Campus programme is an initiative involving a select group of colleges and universities dedicated to empowering staff and students across all disciplines with essential digital skills for success in both the workplace and the classroom.
The tuition fees you'll pay and the funding available to you depends on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you're studying. If you’re studying a full-time undergraduate degree, your fee status will be classed as one of the following:
Scotland
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland
International
Fee Status
Your fee status is typically based on the country where you've lived on a regular, non-temporary basis for the three years prior to the start of your course.
We’ll confirm your tuition fees once you’ve applied.
International
International includes applicants from EU countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled Status in the UK. (Students from the Republic of Ireland are not included.)
We offer a range of scholarships to help support your studies with us.
As well as Abertay scholarships for English, Welsh, Northern Irish and international students, there are a range of corporate and philanthropic scholarships available. Some are course specific, many are not. There are some listed below or you can visit the Undergraduate scholarship pages.
The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats) is an official source of information about higher education. It collates comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study.
We're keen to offer help to Ukrainian students who may wish to transfer from their existing institution in Ukraine or to register with us as new students for intake in September. There will be no tuition fees charged for the duration of the degree programme, as those with refugee status are treated as ‘Home/Scottish’ students and will also have access to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland bursary and student loans. Our Recruitment Team can help guide applicants.