Changes to policy and curriculum

Psychology and Counselling - Qualification Amendment

The Open University will make some changes to the following qualifications:

• Diploma of Higher Education in Counselling (W09)
• Foundation Degree in Counselling (X09)
• BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Counselling (Q84)
• BSc (Hons) Psychology (Q07)

The following modules are being withdrawn:

• Counselling: exploring fear and sadness (D240) has been extended by a year and will now be available for the final time in October 2019. This will be replaced with a new 60-credit module, Exploring mental health and counselling (D241), from October 2020.
• The science of the mind (SDK228) will be available for the final time in October 2019. This will be replaced with a new 30-credit module, Brain, mind and mental health (SK298), from October 2020.
• Sport and exercise psychology (E233) will start for the final time in October 2019.
• Human biology (SK299) will start for the final time in October 2024

What students need to do

If a student is intending to count any of these modules towards their qualification, they will need to do so before they are withdrawn. The last opportunity to study Counselling: exploring fear and sadness (D240) and The science of the mind (SDK228) at the same time will need to do so in October 2019.

Students registered on the W09 or X09

If a student has already achieved 90 credits from the optional modules at Stage 2, they must successfully complete the compulsory module Counselling: exploring fear and sadness (D240) to complete their qualification. If they are unable to do so before the module D240 is withdrawn, they will be required to take its 60-credit replacement (D241) in or after October 2020, which will involve studying more credits than they previously needed.

All students starting their Stage 2 studies in or after October 2020 will be expected to take the compulsory 60-credit module D241. The remaining 60 credits will be chosen from the list of available optional modules.

To see all the modules available in these qualifications please visit Changes to your Counselling qualification (W09/X09).

Students registered on the Q84

All students planning to start their Stage 2 studies in October 2019 with only one 30-credit module must choose Counselling: exploring fear and sadness (D240). They will then need to study Brain, mind and mental health (SK298) in or after October 2020.

If a student is intending to begin their Stage 2 studies in or after October 2020, they will need to take the new 60-credit module (D241).

Students registered on the Q07

Students who wish to count any of these modules towards their qualification will need to do so before they are withdrawn. Otherwise, students will need to choose from the other optional modules available to them.

Please be aware that there are multiple pathways through the BSc (Hons) Psychology (Q07), which means that not all of these modules will be available to students to study. Students should visit their module chooser for more information on what modules are available to them.

Please talk to your Student Support Team if you need any further information. You can find out how to contact them on Contact the OU.