BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

BSc (Hons) Counselling and Mental Health develops practical counselling skills alongside theory, current research and ethical practice, with an integrative, trauma-informed approach. It is delivered at UHI Moray in a blended format alternating two weeks online with one week of two days face to face, and is taught by practising therapists.

Duration: 4 years full-time; 8 years part-time | Intake: September | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Years 1 and 2 are the HNC and HND Counselling. Year 3 core modules include Counselling across the lifespan, Facilitating groups, Research skills, Therapy beyond the room and Trauma informed approaches in counselling. Year 4 includes Counselling within diversity and difference, Dissertation, Integrating somatic approaches in counselling, Legal and ethical practice and Relational perspectives in counselling.

Career pathways

Professional counselling, healthcare and mental health services, education and youth services, and social services and the charity sector; progression to MSc Counselling, MSc Mental Health, MSc Psychological Therapies or a PhD in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Year 1 of the course is the HNC Counselling; applicants without the standard entry requirements are encouraged to apply and are considered individually. Advanced entry to year 2 may be possible with the HNC Counselling. Advanced entry to year 3 requires a professional counselling qualification at SCQF level 8 or above (such as the HND Counselling or a Counselling Diploma), held or being completed; applicants should be in practice (on placement or qualified) with evidence of registration with a professional body such as BACP or COSCA, with at least 50 placement hours signed off by their clinical supervisor before starting the BSc level. PVG Scheme membership is required (Category 1 PVG course). Not open to international applicants requiring a Student Route visa.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,820 a year (2026/27). Scotland-domiciled students, full-time per year (120 credits) Source

Intake: September

Duration: 4 years full-time; 8 years part-time

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