Taught course

Art Therapy

Institution
University of Derby · College of Arts, Humanities and Education
Qualifications
MA

Entry requirements

To apply for this course you are required to have completed an undergraduate degree, either:

  • BA (Hons) Creative Expressive Arts, Health and Wellbeing
  • a degree in the visual arts, or
  • an undergraduate degree in other related areas, such as psychology, occupational therapy, social work, and nursing and have a sound current folio of artwork, or
  • an equivalent professional qualification and extensive experience in a related field.

You will also need:

  • around one year's full time (or equivalent) relevant work experience which may be voluntary work
  • to be able to show you've got sufficient life experience and emotional maturity, as well as having the intellectual capacity, to cope with the demands of the course
  • experience of having undergone personal therapy is desirable (though not essential).

Months of entry

September

Course content

The course reinforces the centrality of the image and the role of the imagination in the practice of art therapy. It will give you experience of clinical art therapy practice under supervision, as well as experience of group work, studio practice and a critical understanding of current theoretical ideas.

Why choose this course?

  • ‌The course is approved and accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council, and recognised by the British Association of Art Therapists
  • Graduate with the eligibility to apply for professional registration as an art therapist or art psychotherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council, as long as you meet the HCPC’s requirements
  • Become eligible to apply for full membership of the British Association of Art Therapists
  • Gain first-hand, practical experience of clinical art therapy practice
  • Develop your clinical reasoning and professional identity, and integrate your learning from all areas of the course through Independent Scholarship.

The course reinforces the centrality of the image and the role of the imagination in the practice of art therapy. It will give you experience of clinical art therapy practice under supervision, as well as experience of group work, studio practice and a critical understanding of current theoretical ideas.

During the course you’ll have a personal tutor who will monitor your overall progress. As well as the taught components of the course, you’ll also need to engage in personal therapy for a minimum of one hour a week throughout the training; this is a requirement for professional registration (please note that this is at your own cost). This will be individual therapy, where you will be required to work with an Art Psychotherapist.

How you'll learn

Real world learning is incorporated within the course through the requirement to undertake two clinical placement modules. These require you to complete 120 days of supervised clinical practice during the training. The course also offers opportunities to learn from guest lecturers.

Assessments are practical, oral and written - there are no exams. Usually, assessment is through either written assignments, the production of artwork, oral presentations or reports based on performance in the clinical setting. You'll receive clear guidelines at the start of each module, about how you'll be assessed in that module.

Careers

The course can lead you to a career in areas such as mental health, education, the prison service, social services and the voluntary sector, as well as in private practice (following gaining additional post training clinical experience), and increasingly, in business.

If you successfully complete the Masters degree in Art Therapy, you will be eligible to apply for professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an art therapist or art psychotherapist, as long as you meet the HCPC’s requirements, and also for full membership of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT).

Information for international students

If your first language is not English, you'll need to have achieved an IELTS of at least 6.5 or equivalent with no element below 6.0, as stipulated by the HCPC at the point of application.

Fees and funding

UK students
£8,550 for the full course
International students
£14,700

Learn more at the funding page.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MA
    full time
    24 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Enquiries
Email
marketing@derby.ac.uk
Phone
+44 (0)1332 591044