Entry requirements

All eligible applicants to the programme will be interviewed by the Programme Convener and/or the Programme staff. Selection will be based on the following admissions criteria:

  • Applicants will normally be required to hold an honours degree at undergraduate level (usually 2.1 or higher); in most cases this will be in a modality-relevant degree such as in psychology, early childhood studies, education or health & social care.
  • Applicants with a relevant degree will be expected to have the equivalent of at least two years of full-time experience of working with children and young people, especially between the ages of 5-11, in a professional capacity. N.B. In most cases work experience must be gained as a graduate, i.e., work experience gained whilst studying will not be considered. The exception to this is if the applicant has worked in a full-time capacity for a number of years (e.g., 5 years+) in a role with children prior to gaining an undergraduate degree; only in this circumstance will prior work experience be considered.
  • Applicants who do not hold a degree in a modality-relevant area will be expected to have considerable (5+ years) full-time experience of working in a professional capacity with children and young people. This might include working with children with behavioural or developmental challenges, learning difficulties, child mental health, etc. This work can either be done on a voluntary or employed basis.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This two year full-time programme integrates theoretical learning, clinical skills and in-depth personal development to prepare graduates for clinical practice, predominantly with children, as a professional play therapist within the public and private sectors.

Based on a humanistic person-centred model of therapy, this course emphasises the use of play within a therapeutic relationship between the therapist and client to facilitate therapeutic change. The course encompasses theoretical, practical and experiential learning. With our holistic approach to teaching, you will be provided with thorough and systematic knowledge, experience, skills and the confidence to work as a professionally qualified play therapist. At the end of the course, you will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of therapeutic techniques and approaches that are required for professional registration purposes.

This course leads to a qualification that entitles you to registration as a Full Member of the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) whose register is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). You will be taught by experienced practitioners who are practising play therapists and will bring the teaching on the course to life by drawing upon their own clinical experiences and case materials.

All students are required to be in personal therapy for the duration of the course and will complete two specified periods of supervised clinical placements alongside their studies.

This intense, rigorous and comprehensive programme is made up of ten modules that encompass the theoretical, practical and experiential learning experience required to become a professional play therapist. All modules are designed to prepare you for child-centred therapeutic practice that is theoretically sound and emotionally aware, complying with the core competencies of a play therapist as specified by the British Association of Play Therapists.

The clinical placements are a central component to the training in this programme. In your first year, the modules will include experiential learning to prepare you for your first work placement, as theoretical understanding will give you a strong grounding for your clinical practice. Your professional development is inter-related with the development of theoretical knowledge, skills and personal awareness. Within the clinical placements you will synthesise, integrate and apply all aspects of your learning into practise. 

In the second year, you will build upon your play therapy skills and knowledge from your first year modules. You will have the opportunity to develop and explore your understanding of the theory and practice of play therapy in relation to working with different client groups and more complex needs. You will also synthesise your theoretical knowledge and clinical experience to pursue your research interest in the Research Portfolio module. A clinical issue, your own clinical work or a professional issue may provide the inspiration for this research project. Recent research areas have included: child-centred play therapy and the use of therapeutic boundaries, play therapy and unresolved bereavement issues, play therapy in schools, and play therapy and different cultural beliefs.

Information for international students

International students | University of Roehampton, London

Fees and funding

UK students
£20,000
International students
£33,000

Financial support – postgraduate students (UK) | University of Roehampton, London

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

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

Course contact details

Name
Enquiries
Email
Info@roehampton.ac.uk
Phone
+44 (0)20 8392 3000