Art Psychotherapy

Entry requirements

You'll need:

• at least one year's full-time, or the equivalent in part-time hours, 1,500 hours relevant work experience. Find out more about the work experience requirements. Please also complete the STaCS work experience form (Word) to indicate the hours you have worked.
• an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in visual arts/design, or in a related/relevant area, or a professional qualification.
• an enhanced disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service. There is a fee to apply for a disclosure certificate. Further information about payment is sent with the offer of a place.
• to disclose any criminal record, disciplinary record, significant periods of time off work and significant health problems in writing after interview

Personal therapy

Some experience of personal therapy can be useful prior to application but it is not a pre-course requirement. However, once you've enrolled you will be required to undertake personal therapy for the duration of your training.

Successful applicants are advised to commence therapy as soon as they receive the offer of a place on the course. In practice, many applicants have some experience of personal therapy before they apply and, whilst not mandatory, this is clearly advantageous.

Information regarding entering personal therapy may be obtained from the department's secretary. Applicants who are already in therapy but are unsure as to whether or not their situation meets course requirements should write in with full details for advice.

We recognise that there may be some very able candidates who do not conform to traditional educational patterns, so a small number of 'special-entry' places are allocated each year to non-graduates.

Each special-entry application is assessed on individual merit, so it is essential to give full details of all educational achievements on application forms. Reasons for any interruptions or early terminations to courses of studies must be clearly outlined. If a non-graduate applicant has not undertaken any formal art education, the above-stated commitment to practice in the visual arts is expected and, again, examples of artwork must be sent with applications.

Months of entry

September

Course content

• The Masters enables you to practice as an art therapist in the NHS, Social Services, and educational establishments, and to become a practitioner registered with the British Association of Art Therapists.

• Your learning is underpinned by the principles and practices of psychodynamic psychotherapy practised within the context of mental health care, and informed by contemporary art practice.

• Via theoretical studies, clinical work and experiential learning you will integrate cognitive understanding and practical experience with a developing awareness of self and other. The nature of the therapeutic relationship between client, their artwork, and the art therapist is explored, and you have the opportunity to put your learning into practice through two 60-day placements which are supervised and supported in-depth.

• You are encouraged to develop your own art practice and to situate your work in relationship to your development as a therapist, to contemporary art practice and to psychoanalytic theories. You're required to be in personal therapy throughout the programme (please note that this is at your own cost).

• Please note: There may be other costs associated with the programme, include providing your own placement travel, and paying for your own personal therapy and occupational health checks.

Information for international students

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and no element lower than 6.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees and funding

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

Scholarships

Corinne Burton Memorial Studentship
Applicants for the full-time programme can apply for the Corinne Burton Memorial Studentship.

Hardship fund
Hardship bursaries of £500 each are also being offered for this programme.

Ebb and Flow Bursary
2 x bursaries of £500 each are available to students taking a professional therapy course within Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies at Goldsmiths.

The bursaries are intended to support individuals who are experiencing unavoidable financial hardship, with priority being given to hardship related to disability, as well as the strength of the individual’s performance and attendance on the course. Find out more about applying for these bursaries.