Very well designed app and a genuinely useful concept. I like that UniStart focuses on making higher education more accessible and less intimidating for people in England.
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BSc Psychology with Counselling · Foundation Year
Start a career helping people, in mental health and counselling, with roles paying around £25k to £40k.
A UK degree, with a Foundation Year, so you can start even without A-levels. Tuition is covered by Student Finance (a loan you repay only when you earn enough). You pay £0 to us, the university pays us.
- No A-levels needed: the Foundation Year is your route in
- Tuition covered by Student Finance, not from your pocket now
- Free guidance, application support, and interview prep
Duration
- Duration 4 years (with Foundation Year)
- Level BSc (Hons) undergraduate
- Next intake September 2026
- Study mode Full-time, on campus
- Entry No A-levels required
Duration
4 years (with Foundation Year)
Level
BSc (Hons) undergraduate
Next intake
September 2026
Study mode
Full-time, on campus
Entry
No A-levels required
Cost to you
£0 in guidance fees
Mental health is one of the UK's fastest-growing fields
The NHS is expanding talking therapies and there is steady demand for counsellors, wellbeing practitioners, and mental health support roles across the public and private sector.
1 in 4
adults experience a mental health problem each year
NHS
expanding talking-therapy services nationally
£25k+
typical starting point for qualified roles
What you study
The Foundation Year builds your academic skills and confidence. The three degree years blend core psychology with practical counselling skills.
1
Foundation Year
Study skills, academic English, an introduction to psychology. Your route in without A-levels.
2
Introduction to Psychology
How the mind works: memory, development, social and biological psychology.
3
Counselling Skills
Listening, empathy, and the core practical skills used in counselling settings.
4
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Common conditions, recovery, and the frameworks used in UK mental health services.
5
Research Methods
How psychologists gather and read evidence: the basis of every applied role.
6
Counselling Theories
The main therapeutic approaches: person-centred, CBT, and more.
Where it can take you
A BSc opens the door to entry-level mental health and counselling roles. The figures below are for the London area, where pay tends to be higher than the rest of the UK.
Mental Health Support Worker
£24k - £32k
High
Assistant Psychologist
£24k - £30k
High
Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (NHS)
£32k - £42k
High
Counsellor / Psychotherapist (qualified)
£30k - £45k
High
Recovery / Wellbeing Worker
£24k - £30k
Medium
Indicative London-area ranges from public job sites (Glassdoor, Indeed, Adzuna) and NHS pay scales, gathered June 2026. Pay varies by employer, experience, and exact role, and includes London weighting where it applies. These are not a guarantee.
How it is funded
You do not pay tuition up front. Student Finance England covers it as a loan, and there is a separate maintenance loan to help with living costs. You repay only when you earn above the threshold.
- Tuition Fee Loan covers your course fees, paid straight to the university
- Maintenance Loan of up to £15,285 a year if you study in London and live away from home (2026/27 rates); the amount depends on your household income
- Repayment is 9% of what you earn above around £25,000 a year, stopped if your income drops
- Any balance left is written off after the set period: it is not a debt that follows you forever
On your own vs. with UniStart
You can apply by yourself. Here is what changes when we are beside you, at no cost to you.
UniStart
- We find the course and university that fit you
- We complete the application with you, step by step
- We help with Student Finance and the paperwork
- We prepare you for the interview
- We stay with you after you start
On your own
- You research courses and entry routes yourself
- You fill in the whole application on your own
- You work out Student Finance on your own
- You prepare for the interview with no feedback
- You sort any problems after enrolment yourself
From here to your first day, in 4 steps
About 2 minutes of your time to start. A real adviser does the rest with you.
1
Check if you qualify
Answer a few quick questions. Takes 2 minutes.
2
Talk to an adviser
A real person, in your language, no pressure.
3
Application and funding
We complete it together, including Student Finance.
4
Offer and enrolment
Interview prep, your offer, and support after you start.
Real students, real stories
Real people, real messages
Great and new concept, professional presentation, and very useful for people living in the UK who want to explore funded university courses. The mobile app is clean, modern, and easy to use. Looking forward to seeing UniStart grow.
Marius C.Facebook
It offers step-by-step guidance for finding courses, understanding Student Finance, and preparing for applications and interviews. The app is easy to use and focuses on making the process feel less confusing, especially for first-time or mature students.
Cristina S.Facebook
UniStart is one of the most professional education platforms I've seen for people in the UK looking to start university. Everything is explained clearly, especially Student Finance and the application process. Highly recommended for anyone feeling confused about where to begin.
Ionuț O.Facebook
Amazing communication, quick and prompt response of any questions and inquiries, very good results, helpful. Thank you.
Ana Lucia F.Google
UniStart made the university application process much easier for me. The platform is simple to use, and the student finance guidance was genuinely helpful.
Cosmin B.Facebook
I was a lucky person to have met Radu, who helped me with my admission to a UK university. I was guided with patience, professionalism and dedication through all the stages, from the application file to writing the personal statement. His support was invaluable.
Giulia S.Google
What you get, free
Everything below is included at no cost to you. The university pays us a commission when you enrol, that is our only income.
Course and university matching
Full application support
Student Finance guidance
Interview preparation
Support after you start
The UniStart app, built on our own money and given to you free
Check in 2 minutes if you qualify
About 2 minutes of your time to start. A real adviser does the rest with you.
1
2
3
4
Frequently asked questions
Do I need A-levels?
No. The Foundation Year is built for people without A-levels or recent qualifications. It is your route into the degree.
Is it really free?
Our guidance is 100% free: the university pays us a commission when you enrol, not you. Tuition itself is covered by Student Finance, a loan you repay only when you earn above the threshold.
Can I become a psychologist with this degree?
A BSc is the first step. Entry-level counselling and mental health roles are open to graduates. The protected clinical-psychologist roles need a further postgraduate doctorate, and we will tell you honestly what each path requires.
How long does it take?
Four years in total: one Foundation Year plus the three-year BSc.
Do I qualify with Pre-Settled status?
In many cases, yes. It depends on your UK residence history. An adviser checks it for you for free.
Will I have to pay the loan back?
Only when you earn above around £25,000 a year, in small instalments taken from your salary. If you earn less, you pay nothing, and any balance is written off after the set period.
September 2026 intake. Places available now.
Checking takes 2 minutes and costs nothing. A real adviser contacts you within 24 to 48 hours.
Check if you qualifyNo pressure. No obligation. No cost.