Moving into the world of counselling, psychotherapy, and occupational therapy will allow you to heal minds, restore lives, and empower people to reach their full potential.
What's on this page?
- Study options
- Chat to a current counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy student
- Subjects it's useful to have studied first
- Careers: Where it can take you
- Getting in: Entry requirements
- Other subjects you may be interested in
- Considering an apprenticeship?
- Explore further
- Application advice
Studying counselling, psychotherapy, and occupational therapy gives an insight into the human mind and its interaction with daily life. It focuses on mental wellbeing, developing skills in active listening, empathy, and therapeutic intervention. This combination equips you for diverse career choices.
- In counselling, you become a guide through life's challenges, supporting people in navigating personal and emotional issues.
- Psychotherapy unveils the deeper layers of the psyche, enabling you to facilitate transformative change through in-depth therapeutic processes.
- Occupational therapy, on the other hand, focuses on enhancing daily functioning and independence, making a tangible impact on people's lives.
Graduates can find themselves working in hospitals, schools, mental health clinics, or private practices, contributing to a society that increasingly values mental health and holistic wellbeing. This subject not only promises personal and professional growth but also allows you to be a part of empowering others to lead fulfilling lives.
The impact you could make
- Contribute to the improvement of mental health by giving people the tools to navigate and overcome challenges.
- Create a supportive space for personal growth and self-discovery.
- Reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues.
What you could study
- Counselling skills
- Psychology and human development
- Ethics and professional practice
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Personal and professional development
- Occupational science
Chat to a current counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy student
Chat to a current counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy student using UniBuddy.
Some conversation starters for you:
- Ask which modules they really enjoyed.
- Find out how easy it was for them to make friends on their course.
- Do they have any tips on your personal statement?
- Did they do anything to prep for uni before they went?
- Are there books, podcasts or YouTube channels they would recommend?
Example module
“My favourite modules are definitely the placements. I love the practical side to the course and gaining real-life experience.”
Second year occupational therapy student, Glyndwr University, Wrexham
Example assignment
"The personal development reflexive statements. This assessment challenged my usual shy self to stand up and share personal and difficult parts of my personal development. It allowed me to bond with other students in a way that I couldn’t imagine."
Second year counselling and psychotherapy student, Edge Hill University
English
Maths
Science
Psychology
Hard skills you'll develop
- Counselling techniques
- Assessment skills
- Group facilitation
- Activity analysis
- Occupational assessment
Soft skills you'll develop
- Boundaries and professionalism
- A habit of reflective practice
- Active listening
- Patience and persistence
- Collaborative problem-solving
83% of students
studying counselling, psychotherapy, and occupational therapy would recommend the subject to others
(UCAS subject guide survey 2023)
Available jobs
47,999 vacancies in the past year
6.06% growth over next eight years
Average salary
£32,260
Up to £48,234
What is a… mindfulness-based therapist?
This type of therapist guides people in developing mindfulness practices to enhance wellbeing, reduce stress, and improve mental health. They draw from mindfulness-based interventions rooted in tradition and evidence-based therapeutic approaches. They can work in many different settings, including mental health clinics, wellness centres, educational institutions, corporate environments, and private practice. They also collaborate with mental health professionals, educators, and organisations to integrate mindfulness into every day.
Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy applicants.
A levels
BBC – BCC
Scottish Highers
AABB
Vocational
BTEC DMM
Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative
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Find out more
Read our guide to care services apprenticeships.
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Mental Health Foundation
A podcast with different people and experts exploring topics around mental health, including mental health in the workplace. -
On the Psych Ward
This BBC documentary with Stacey Dooley explores the pressure of life on the frontline of mental health services.
Skills, experiences, and interests to mention
- Make sure you highlight your capacity for empathy and compassion as that’s crucial in this subject.
- Talk about instances where you’ve demonstrated resilience and the ability to cope with challenges, an essential trait in counselling and therapy.
- Have you been involved or are interest in mental health advocacy and challenging stigmas?
- If you’ve had experiences in building therapeutic relationships, whether through mentoring, coaching, or supporting others, share these experiences.
- Highlight experiences that required keen observation and reflection, as these skills are integral to therapeutic practice.