Counselling and Wellbeing
Counselling and Wellbeing
Counselling at University of East London
Associate Professor Lucia Berdondini describes the importance of using cultural understanding and diversity in counselling.
Stay at the forefront of field-related developments with our undergraduate and postgraduate counselling courses.
Undergraduate courses
Postgraduate courses
About us
Our team of tutors are highly respected across different fields and are engaged in work at a number of levels: from clinical practice, to policy development and working with professional bodies.
You'll always be kept up to date with the latest developments in the field. Our lecturers are active researchers and publish textbooks, many of which you will be reading as part of your course.
Undergraduate
Our undergraduate, professionally accredited BSc (Hons) Counselling course teaches you the four pillars:
- Personal development
- Practice
- Theory
- Research
Our theory involves integrative counselling and teaches you basic counselling skills and how to form helpful therapeutic relationships, as well as in-depth understanding of person-centric, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and existential models.
We give you the opportunity to practice the approaches you learn in lectures in our state-of-the-art labs equipped with audio-visual facilities. Practice sessions are also enhanced with video recording, allowing you to gain detailed feedback on your approach.
Postgraduate
Our postgraduate courses involve the disciplines of:
- Positive psychology
- Business psychology
- Organisational and occupational psychology
- Coaching and counselling
Studying with us will place you at the forefront of developments in these fields, and you will gain the skills to know how to apply them practically.
We teach in a variety of modes of attendance (part-time, distance learning, weekend and evening classes) to fit with your personal commitments.
Our technology-enabled training will have you ready for supervised practice in a local counselling service after you graduate - and ready to make a positive change in people's lives.
Our ground-breaking MSc in Humanitarian Intervention is the only one of its kind in the UK - and one of very few in the world - to offer expertise in psychosocial support by distance learning to humanitarian workers in active locations.
Professional Doctorate
Our Professional Doctorates in Clinical Psychology, in Counselling Psychology and in Educational and Child Psychology offer you the opportunity to train and qualify as a Practitioner Psychologist. On successful completion you will meet the Health and Care Professions Council's requirements for registration as a Practitioner Psychologist and you will satisfy the British Psychological Society's requirements for becoming a Chartered Psychologist.
Why choose us?
Allied health: 72% rated world-leading/internationally excellent overall (REF 2021).
Your learning is embedded in real life trainings and reflects the latest developments and new directions within the field.
Courses developed with industry and links with leading companies and organisations.
Our facilities
Modern campus
The School provides a positive learning experience for all its students. Our modern campus includes seminar space, tutorial rooms and lecture theatres. We encourage independent learning by providing student and staff access to specialised research and laboratory facilities, computer networks and databases within the School, with specialist facilities for our professional courses. Students are supported by a full array of library services, including a dedicated librarian for psychology students.
Specialist facilities
At our Stratford campus, we have world-leading facilities in which we constantly invest. Our dedicated audiovisual multimedia equipment enables both self and peer review for trainee skills practice sessions. We also have interview rooms so you can practice your skills in real-life situations and scenarios.
Our staff
Find out more about our staff by visiting our School of Psychology.

Studying for a BSc Counselling degree at UEL was a valuable stepping-stone towards the career that I wanted to pursue. I was able to bring together theory and practice not only in the classroom but also through clinical placements."
Majda Rogers
Counselling, BSc (Hons)
What we're researching
Changing national clinical guidelines and practice regarding depression treatment
Professor John Read's report for Public Health England on current treatment practices for depression has received blanket media coverage across all major news networks around the UK and across the world. It has been implemented into practitioner care guidelines around the world and has led to changes in the National Institute for Health Care Excellence guidelines for antidepressant use.
Careers
The practical and professional emphasis of our courses, combined with a comprehensive skills curriculum, will develop your transferable skills and equip you with a competitive edge for the world of work. Each of our courses paves the way to a range of career pathways.
Completion of one of our accredited BACP courses provides you with the strong foundations for working as professional counsellors / therapists either independently or within organisations. It also gives you an opportunity to become a registered member of BACP upon graduation, and while earning your income, work towards BACP individual accreditation that requires 450 practice hours.
Graduates from our MSc in Occupational and Organisational Psychology and the MSc in Business psychology have gained employment is several fields of work, such as: occupational psychologists, sports and performance psychologists, leadership development specialists, and human factors experts for a wide range of companies and organisations.
When you graduate from MAPPCP you will be able to work with individuals on a one-to-one basis through Positive Psychology or Executive Coaching or work in organisational settings using positive organisational scholarship. You will also be able to apply to the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) for the Foundation, Practitioner, Senior Practitioner and, eventually, Master Practitioner level according to your level of experience.
Graduates from the MSc in Humanitarian Intervention engage in humanitarian work across the world, helping people to maintain their positive psychological development in the face of challenges being posed by their social environment.
On completion of one of our professional doctorates, you will be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council for the relevant protected title of Clinical Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist, or Educational Psychologist and begin your professional career as fully qualified practitioner psychologist in one of these areas.
At UEL, you'll have access to:
- Employability skills training such as interview techniques and CV writing.
- Career Assessment, giving you the opportunity to learn about yourself and Career Coach will help you to discover career suggestions based on your interests.
- UEL Skills Academy, where external professionals deliver sessions on the competencies most prized by graduate employers.
- Internships, placements and volunteering opportunities from our work placements team.
- Professional mentoring scheme, matching students with staff from major companies.
- Networking opportunities and annual careers fair.
- Support with setting up your own business.
Our location
Our location in one of Europe's largest regeneration areas and our extensive links to local employers will also give you access to fantastic internships and placements. From heavy industry to high-tech, health and social care to the arts, there are so many opportunities right on our doorstep.
Career coach
Our online Career Coach shows you the different career paths that your chosen subject area can lead you to. It gives you information on specific careers, job roles, potential wages and available jobs in the sector. You can also take a quick quiz to find a career to match your personality type!