Music Therapy

Entry requirements

The MSc Music Therapy at QMU is academically, musically and personally demanding. Therefore, it is necessary that you are able to demonstrate your readiness for the course as well as meet the entry requirements.

Applicants usually have an honours degree. However, a comparable professional qualification, or extensive experience in a related field will be considered.

This is alongside evidence of a high standard of practical musicianship, a fundamental ability to listen openly and fluency in a diverse range of musics. You should be able to demonstrate a high degree of skill and flexibility on at least one instrument. You do not need to be able to read Western musical notation. We are committed to enabling and widening access for musicians from diverse backgrounds.

You will also have a minimum of one year’s experience of relevant work experience with persons in the community, education or health settings. Some experience of personal music therapy or psychodynamic psychotherapy, or experiential workshops in creative therapies is desirable.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Music therapy offers relational experiences through music. It is an established health intervention to help people whose lives have been affected by injury, illness or disability.

As well as having a high level of practical musicianship and at least one year of experience of working in a caring profession, such as psychiatry, education, social services or the voluntary sector, you will be ready to learn about a variety of approaches to music therapy. With a strong emphasis on psychodynamic theory, you will be equipped to work in a person-centred way with people with a wide range of needs.

Studies will focus on the following areas:

• therapeutic musical skills, with an emphasis on improvisation, interaction and application in a therapeutic context

• psychological, developmental, and music therapy theories

• different persons and contexts

• self-development

• observation and critical thinking skills

• professional issues, such as ethics and multi-disciplinary working

• research, assessment and service evaluation

Some lectures and workshops are shared with students from QMU’s MSc Art Psychotherapy and MSc Play Therapy.