Counselling and Mentoring encompasses a broad set of skills, approaches and techniques that are essentially aimed at helping individuals, groups and organisations with problem solving, problem management, working through or resolving past issues, or working towards developmental aims and goals for the future, which might include improving performance and meeting career and personal aspirations. Related activities such as coaching and consultancy draw from a similar set of core skills and processes.

The first year of the BSc (Hons) Counselling & Mentoring programme is common with the BSc (Hons) Counselling.

• An opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the body of counselling & mentoring theory and research
• An integrative approach that enables students to develop their own synthesis within an integrative framework.
• A long and well established tradition of counsellor training at the university (counselor training programmes here started in 1972).
• A strong emphasis on the development of the core relationship qualities and practical skills training – including laboratory work in 6 interview rooms with video recording and playback equipment and full technician support.
• An emphasis on working in groups: skills training and seminar groups, and within the whole programme group, on interactive structured exercises and activities.
• A strong emphasis on personal and professional development to prepare students for working with people in a helping or developmental role
• Programme staff with extensive experience, (very) many years experience as trainers; who have written and published widely and who have or still do contribute to the work of professional committees.
• In a School of Psychology with other staff with relevant expertise, library, book shop and canteen.

This is currently offered as a 3 year full time programme.

Students initially enrolled on BSc (Hons) Counselling & Mentoring may apply for transfer to the BSc (Hons) Counselling (the professional training programme in Counselling) after completing the common first year if they have achieved the required profile of results. (See BSc (Hons) Counselling programme specification for further information.)

The programme provides a blend of teaching and learning approaches, including traditional lectures, seminars and workshop activities; on-line discussions and electronic support; group and individual tutorial sessions; group and experiential exercises; skills practice labs, reflective journals, professional logs, experience portfolios, group and individual supervision, and placement/work-based learning.

Assessment is by a mix of coursework, practical skills assessments and examination. Coursework includes essays, reflective journals, logs, portfolios, research reports, group and seminar presentations and a final year project. The majority of assessment at all levels is by coursework. Students receive individual feedback on their coursework designed to enhance their learning and improve performance on subsequent assessments. However, some modules, in particular the psychology modules, are assessed by examination.

A placement experience module is included at level 3 of the programme. Students will undertake work-based learning at an organisation or agency where counselling & mentoring skills (or related activities) can be observed and practised, and through which students can develop their understanding of the context in which these roles are undertaken. Students are responsible for finding and organising their own placements. Information and contact details are available for a range of organisations who have taken UEL students for placements in the past or who have placements available.

The final year project is a compulsory module for the programme. Students need to conduct a literature review of an area of their choice, and design, carry out, analyse and interpret an original empirical or theoretical investigation in this same area. The student is supported on a one-to-one basis by regular meetings with an academic supervisor with research and/or theoretical expertise in the area. Postgraduate professional training staff are also available to act as supervisors to undergraduate students if appropriate. In addition to this major project there are a number of other smaller project assessments and portfolios to complete earlier in the programme.

• Integrative model that enables students to develop their own personal synthesis.
• Strong foundation in the core qualities, skills and processes of counseling, mentoring and related activities such as coaching
• Prepares students for a variety of careers which involve working with people of for further professional training or academic study

• Working with people in a variety of helping or developmental roles
• Developing the qualities and skills need to help people to help themselves
• Understanding a range of theoretical perspectives relevant to counselling, mentoring, coaching etc.

• Learning more about yourself and other people
• Listening to people and engaging in helpful relationships
• Being accepting of others and non-judgemental
• Learning by a variety of different methods, and taking responsibility for your own learning and development

• A comprehensive programme which encompasses theory, practice, research, and personal and professional development
• A programme which is both personally and academically challenging

The programme will equip students with a range of transferable knowledge and skills relevant to working with people in a supportive, problem-solving, or developmental capacity. This will include self awareness, understanding people, listening and communicating at a high level, forming relationships, problem management, working in groups and facilitating change. These are skills which are highly valued by many employers in a variety of sectors. Examples are health and social care, education, training, management and leadership. Many students are also likely to progress to postgraduate professional training.

The generic skills and knowledge base gained through this programme will also equip graduates with a range of meta-level skills that can be used in a variety of other professions.

• Students joining the programme are offered an induction programme in the week before classes begin. Returning students also receive induction to the next level or year of their programme.
• All students are allocated a personal and academic tutor. Additional help is available from year group tutors, the programme leader and leaders of individual modules.
• First year students are supported by a programme designed to help them develop study skills, covering IT skills, library use, report and essay writing, the ethics of study and research, and working in groups. Research Methodology teaching is supplemented by on-line interactive programme materials & discussion groups.
• Support and help with career choice, job applications and preparation of CVs is included in the programme.
• Specialist support (for example, for financial advice, careers advice, counselling and learning support) is also available from central University services. The University has a student special needs advisor.

Established links with several local counselling agencies and other organizations involved in mentoring, coaching, etc. Students have the chance to participate in and help with real-life research within the School of Psychology.

The Psychology Help Desk offers a valuable one-stop source of information and advice, as well as a centre for handing in and retrieving course work, booking equipment and rooms, and assistance with IT problems.