BA (Honours) Education with Psychology and Counselling

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Sheffield Hallam University

Program Overview

This three-year degree blends the study of education, psychology, and counselling to help you understand how people learn, think, and develop emotionally. It’s a great choice for those who want to work with children, young people, or adults in roles that promote learning, wellbeing, and personal growth.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year builds the foundations for understanding human behaviour and learning. You’ll study modules such as Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Counselling, and Educational Contexts, which explore how people learn and how emotional and social factors influence education. You’ll also begin developing basic counselling techniques and reflective skills for working with others.

Year 2
In your second year, you’ll dive deeper into how psychology and counselling are applied in educational and professional settings. Modules like Educational Psychology and Counselling Skills for Professional Practice allow you to understand how theory shapes real-world work with children and adults. You’ll also explore topics such as Trauma-Informed Practice and Working with Professionals, which prepare you for placements and collaborative environments.

Year 3
Your final year focuses on applying your learning to real contexts. You’ll take advanced modules such as Applying Psychology and Mental Health and Therapeutic Approaches Across the Lifespan, alongside a major independent research project. Many students also complete a professional placement, gaining practical experience in education, mental health, or community wellbeing settings.

Focus Areas

Educational psychology, counselling techniques, child and adolescent development, learning behaviour, mental health, and wellbeing support.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to apply psychological and counselling principles to educational contexts, understand the links between learning and emotional wellbeing, and use reflective practice to support others effectively. You’ll also gain strong communication, analytical, and research skills suitable for diverse professional environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

While this course does not lead directly to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), it provides a strong foundation for further study in educational psychology, counselling, or mental health fields. It also prepares you for careers in education support, youth and community work, and wellbeing services.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Sheffield Hallam University is widely respected for its applied, hands-on approach to education and psychology. Graduates from this program benefit from practical placements, expert teaching, and strong links with schools, mental health services, and community organisations—leading to excellent employability outcomes in education, counselling, and support roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Sheffield Hallam University, this course gives you the chance to explore how education, psychology, and counselling connect in real-world settings. You’ll not only study how people learn and develop but also practise skills that help you support emotional wellbeing and personal growth — key qualities for anyone aiming to work with children, young people, or families.

From the very start, your learning goes beyond the classroom. You’ll combine academic study with professional practice, gaining hands-on experience and building your confidence in educational and community environments.

Here’s how you’ll develop real-world skills throughout your degree:

Professional placements – You’ll take part in work placements in schools, youth organisations, or community settings, applying your learning and gaining insight into how education and counselling work together in practice.
Counselling and communication skills training – You’ll practise core counselling techniques such as active listening, empathy, and emotional support, learning how to apply these skills in both educational and therapeutic contexts.
Research and analysis experience – You’ll explore how to collect and interpret data, design small-scale research projects, and use psychological tools to understand learning behaviour and wellbeing.
Collaborative learning projects – Working with your peers, you’ll design and evaluate programmes or interventions that support learners’ mental health and emotional development.
Focus on inclusion and wellbeing – You’ll gain experience in supporting individuals from different backgrounds, understanding how social, cultural, and emotional factors shape educational experiences.
Digital and reflective learning tools – You’ll use online learning environments, digital portfolios, and reflective journals to record your development and showcase your growing expertise.
Optional year-long placement – You’ll have the opportunity to take a full-year work placement between your second and final year, giving you valuable experience in a professional education or counselling setting.
Professional portfolio – Throughout the course, you’ll build a portfolio that documents your counselling practice, research projects, and placement experiences — a strong foundation for future study or employment.

By graduation, you’ll not only understand the theories behind education and psychology but also have practical, people-focused experience that prepares you to make a positive difference in schools, communities, and mental health settings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

If you choose the BA (Hons) Education with Psychology and Counselling at Sheffield Hallam University, you’ll gain a deep understanding of how people learn, think, and develop emotionally within educational and social contexts. The course uniquely combines three fields—education, psychology, and counselling—helping you build the skills to support learners’ wellbeing and personal growth in a wide range of professional settings.

Progression & Future Opportunities:
Graduates from this course are well-prepared for rewarding roles such as:

Learning Support or Inclusion Coordinator
Mental Health Support Practitioner or Counsellor-in-Training
Educational or Behavioural Support Assistant
Youth and Community Engagement Officer

How Sheffield Hallam University helps you get there:

Career & Employability Support: You’ll receive dedicated guidance through the university’s employability service, which includes career mentoring, job fairs, CV development, and interview workshops to help you transition confidently into work.
Real-World Practice: The course includes placements across schools, community organisations, and counselling environments, allowing you to gain valuable hands-on experience while studying.
Industry-Relevant Learning: You’ll study modules that connect theory to practice—such as child development, cognitive psychology, counselling skills, and inclusive education—ensuring your learning is directly applicable to real-world roles.
Graduate Outcomes: Many graduates go on to work in education, youth services, counselling support, or continue their professional training in psychology-related careers.
Long-Term Value: This degree provides a recognised foundation for careers across education, social care, and mental health sectors—backed by Sheffield Hallam’s strong reputation for employability and applied learning.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your BA (Hons) Education with Psychology and Counselling, you could advance to postgraduate studies such as a Master’s in Educational Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Psychotherapy, or Special Educational Needs & Inclusion. You could also pursue a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) if you aim to become a qualified teacher or continue toward professional counselling accreditation through postgraduate training.