Wolverhampton University

I studied Counselling Psychology and graduated in 2012, there's heavy input on 'independent learning' and not a lot of exams. Was there anything specific that you wanted to know?

Thanks. What work experience or placements did the course offer? They said samaritans to me, but I can volunteer to do that anyway! I know uni is a lot of self study, but was it like, more than elsewhere? Did you go onto further training in counselling psychology? And was you happy with the course?

It's OK, they don't find you placements if that's what you think. They generally tell you where you can find relevant experience or extra courses. They usually say relate, cruse, Samaritans to name a few. I went on to study my Masters the year after and hoping to study the Doctorate maybe this year or next year depending on how the open day goes on Thursday. I was happy with the course. I ended up having a baby so with the "independent learning" it really helped me a lot, but I think the ethos of the uni is to provide you with the foundations of learning so that you build upon that. It definitely taught me how to get the most out of my learning. But my experience is different to somebody else's.

Has anyone studied there? Been offered a place for counselling psychology and don't know much about the place!

Thanks for that. Are you planning on doing the doctorate there? I thought it might be good to study somewhere that does all parts of the training, but I wasn't overly impressed at their applicant day. Saying that I went to a different one today and they said samaritans too so suppose it's a good one to do.

Yeah I'd like to study the for my doctorate. In terms of location it suits me quite well and I like the structure of the timetable they have. However I'm the "old lot" of student finance so if you want a course that you think is worth 9k then you'll more than likely work for it. I don't think I'd pay 9k for the course though. The reality is you will probably do around 8 - 10 hours of lectures a week. They call this "learning works" so each lecture is a maximum of 3 hours, seminars and workshops are less than this. You'll be thankful for this when you're doing your study and recruiting participants etc. I would definitely get some experience but don't let this be the be all and end all of what you're doing. After I graduated I did get experience in a behavioural unit at a secondary school and I did volunteering counselling at a hospital. If you don't accept Wolverhampton offer, what are your choices?

Counselling psychology at Leeds trinity, and psychology with counselling at Manchester Salford, Bedfordshire and Bolton. The Bolton and Manchester ones have counselling accreditation built in that I would need further along, so I think they could be a better place to start possibly.

Yes they sound like great choices, there's always going to be pros and cons of each, whether it is guided learning hours, placements, nightlife, accreditation, progression etc. It's best to be fully informed and comfortable with your choice so it will shape what you want to do in the future, best of luck, I'd be grateful to know your choice in the end