Art Therapy

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Why choose this course?
* This programme reinforces the centrality of the image and the role of the imagination in the practice of art therapy.
* It places emphasis on preparing you to work in clinical environments and developing the professional skills you'll need.
* The course comprises an extended period of independent scholarship aimed at helping you synthesise your learning from all areas of the course to develop your clinical reasoning and professional identity.

About the course
The aim of the course is to give you experience of clinical art therapy practice and supervision, as well as closed group work and current theory. You'll also be able to improve your technical art skills through studio work, exploring the potential for self expression and communication through image making.

You'll have a personal tutor who will be responsible for monitoring your overall progress and as well as taught components, you'll engage in clinical placements and personal therapy, as this is a requirement for professional registration. This is a private arrangement and the cost is not included in the fees, although individual or group therapy is acceptable.

PG Certificate level
This course gives you the experience of a closed art therapy group led by a State Registered Art Therapist. Studio work will deepen your understanding and relationship with your art form. You'll study the nature of human development and health and disability in art therapy as part of the Arts Therapies Theory and Research in Relation to Practice One module. In the clinical setting you'll be supervised by an appropriate therapist and you'll need to attend a reflective practice group at the University which is facilitated by a State Registered Art Therapist.

PG Diploma level
You'll study evidence based practice and research methodologies as part of the Arts Therapies Theory and Research in Relation to Practice Two module. You'll also undertake a larger block of clinical placement in an appropriate setting.

MA level
You'll undertake a period of independent scholarship where you'll produce a body of artwork exploring an appropriate area of enquiry.

The programme can lead you to a career in areas like mental health, education, the prison service, social services and the voluntary sector, as well as in private practice, 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 Professions Council (HPC).

How you're assessed
Assessment is both practical and written - there are no exams. Usually, assessment is through written assignments, reflective journals, facilitation exercises, artwork and reports based on performance in the clinical setting. However, you'll receive clear guidelines at the start of each module, about how you'll be assessed in that module.

Anything else?
You'll undertake a health screening at the start of the course.

It's strongly recommended that you become a trainee member of the British Association of Art Therapists at the start of this course.

Initial Recommended Reading:
* Edwards, D (2004) Art Therapy: Creative Therapies in Practice. Sage Publications

If you're offered a place on the course you'll have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check which, from the 6 April 2011 will cost £44. You'll need to pass a health screening check and undertake a process of health screening at the start of the course.

You need to have completed an undergraduate degree, either: * BA (Hons) Creative Expressive Therapies * a degree in the visual arts, or * an undergraduate degree in other related areas, such as psychology, occupational therapy, social work, nursing and have a sound current folio of artwork.You'll also need: * 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. You'll normally go through a selection and interview process. This will usually include an individual interview and discussion of a portfolio of your artwork, which you will be required to bring to demonstrate the development of your work over a period of time. Your portfolio should have no more than 10 completed images and one sketch book. The work needs to be your own personal work, i.e. not client work or work produced though facilitation of others.Where possible actual images need to be brought, although if this is not possible then photographs will be accepted. If you are an international student and you are required to send a portfolio with your application, please be aware that your portfolio will not be able to be returned. Therefore please ensure that no original artwork is sent. You will also participate in a brief art therapy workshop facilitated by a member of staff who is also a State Registered Art Therapist.If you are offered a place on the course you will be required to pay a deposit of £500 in order to secure your place.A large component of the course involves work with clients and therefore an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance is required at the point of accepting a place at the University.Experience of having undergone personal therapy is desirable (though not essential).Your application should include a CV and one A4 sheet (maximum) outlining why you wish to complete the professional training and elaborating on what qualities and skills you feel you have to offer and the kind of ideas which presently inform your thinking about art therapy. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 60 (Grade C) TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 80 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.