Course Summary
The course combines experiential learning, clinical placements, seminars, and studio practices. Art Psychotherapy trainees also attend clinical supervision to support their learning and professional development within a variety of practicum settings.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
To apply to our postgraduate taught programmes, you must meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements and any course-specific requirements.
Criteria leading to selection for interview:
(a) A 2:2 degree or above in either visual arts, psychology, psychotherapy, social work, nursing, teaching, social care, or an allied profession.
(b) A commitment to reflective arts practices facilitating personal insight and an artistic repertoire of self enquiry. If invited for interview, a portfolio of six artworks demonstrating proficiency in a range of arts media will be requested.
(c) A 1000 hours of work experience in a helping capacity in either mental health, arts and health, social care, social work, special education, or a counselling setting. Paid or voluntary work is acceptable.
(d) Applicants are requested to demonstrate self-awareness, psychological mindedness, emotional resilience, robustness, and the capacity to be empathetic.
(e) All applicants are asked to demonstrate a level of English necessary for the completion of academic assignments. An example of academic writing can support your application and also be submitted prior to interview.
All successful applicants are required to complete an enhanced Access NI security check.
Applicants will be required to submit references from two referees relating to their academic and professional performance.
Application Details
Your Application
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink" below).
Start Date: September 2024
Fees
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink" below).
Applications for this course will open on 1st January 2023 and close on 1st March 2023.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Career Progression
"Art Psychotherapy graduates typically combine sessional, part time and full time employment. They work with people of all ages living with a wide range of emotional or physical conditions in the context of mental health, education, arts and health, community, and voluntary settings. Art Psychotherapists need to be flexible and resourceful. Within the current context in health and social care, entrepreneurial skills are also needed, and most art psychotherapists start their career on a self-employed basis and establish art therapy provision in a wide variety of settings. Many Art Psychotherapists work in partnership with allied professionals to develop innovative approaches to practice" (British Association of Art Therapists).