Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £15,700 for the course
International/EU: £22,000 for the course -
How long will I study?
2 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
January 2025
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Course summary
- Develop core professional knowledge and practical skills to enable person-centred art therapy practice
- Participate in art-making to learn about client-centred approaches in psychotherapy
- Develop a professional belief in the positive impact of art therapy on health and wellbeing in complex care settings.
This full time Masters-level Art Psychotherapy Practice course provides you with specialist training, qualifications and opportunities to help you embark on a diverse and exciting career. Allowing study over a longer period which supports students with other responsibilities.
Learn directly from HCPC-registered art therapists, engaging with real-world practice throughout. Our staff integrate art-making into theory and experiential teaching.
Accredited by
| Provides eligibility to apply for HCPC registration as an arts therapist. This course is accredited by the British Association of Art Therapists. |
How you learn
The course is designed to promote a critical and proactive approach to learning, which will enable you to become an effective and autonomous practitioner. There is a mixed mode of experiential and theoretical learning and teaching adopted in this programme. You are expected to engage fully in the learning process and in some of the modules you will learn with, from and about students from other health and social care courses in the School of Health and Social Care as part of the integrated curricula. This approach will ensure you have strong roots in your chosen profession of art therapy.
This approach will ensure you have a strong identity as an art therapist but are also able to deliver person centred care with an understanding of service integration and working within a multidisciplinary team to support the person's journey through health and care services.
The focus of the integrated curricula will prepare you for working in an integrated working environment with multidisciplinary teams and organisations working effectively together to enhance the quality of care to the service user. These attributes will enhance employability not only for graduate employment, but will support career progression to senior positions within the NHS, social care, third sector, education and private organisations.
A detailed induction programme aims to facilitate students’ transition into studying at Masters level and introduces students to a range of support mechanisms to which they have access within the art therapy team and across the University.
You will experience a blended approach to learning and teaching both on campus and in practice placements including:
You learn through
- art-making in fully-equipped learning spaces
- a mix of individual and group sessions
- experiential creative groups
- workshops
- placements
- field trips where available, such as visits to talks and exhibitions
- practice-based learning
Alongside art-making you’ll learn about client-centred approaches in psychotherapy – enabling you to use models to adapt to different service settings. You’ll experience an integrated placement, which runs throughout the course. You’ll also have access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development.
Key themes
The course offers a structured progression of academic and practice experience. You will develop a critical, evidenced based and proactive approach to learning, enabling transition into an effective and autonomous therapist. The course will reflect the cultural diversity within healthcare and practice, identifying global perspectives of health and inequality through a range of inclusive learning and teaching approaches to delivery of content.
The teaching is based around the development of the key transferable skills you need to become a qualified art psychotherapist. The course is designed to promote independent structured learning leading to autonomous practice upon qualification.
Employability and associated skills form a continual feature throughout this programme. There is a firm belief that employability is important throughout the engagement on the course but in the final year the modules have a strong focus on the transition to practise.
Along with practice learning experience, these key modules will help you to maximise learning, skill acquisition, and professional and behavioural attributes required for employment The focus of integrated curricula will prepare you for working in an integrated working environment with multidisciplinary teams and organisations working effectively together to enhance the quality of care to the service user.
These attributes will enhance employability not only for graduate employment, but will support career progression to senior positions within the NHS, social care, third sector, education and private organisations.
Course support
You will be supported in your learning journey towards a professional practice in a sector that you want to work in.These include:
- Access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development.
- Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments.
- Practice based learning in placement settings that meet your development aspirations.
Applied learning
Your placement is an essential and valuable part of your course – key to the development of your skills and personal resilience as an art therapist. Placements are integrated throughout the full-time route over two days a week. They’re provided across different sectors and onsite placement mentors will support you. Alongside placement you will be part of a student supervision group with a HCPC registered art therapist. Both Individual and group supervision will facilitate learning through reflection on practice with peer support.
Practice placement learning provides preparation and practice in a variety of settings (NHS, third sector, education) Practice placements provide an opportunity to initially observe but then apply, analyse and reflect on art therapy approaches then discuss with experienced art therapists, and members of the wider interprofessional team.
This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with applied professional knowledge of art therapy and practice experience skills to add to your CV.
To complement your learning experiences, you have access to various support activities, resources, employer events and opportunities from your Careers & Employability Team to ensure you make the most of your work experience opportunities during your Masters degree.
Work Placements
Placement is an integral part of the course and this is integrated throughout both the part-time and full-time routes. Placements are usually located in a setting that is within manageable distance from your where you live. You will have a 2 day per week placement (Full time students) or a 1 to 1.5 days per week placement (Part time students). Placement starts towards the end of April in year one for full-time and part-time students begin placement at the beginning of year 2.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in:
- Hospital and community NHS services for adults, children and families
- Working with physical, mental health issues and learning disabilities
- Educational art therapy in schools
- Bereavement support
- Art Therapy research
- Social enterprises and charities
- Services for children and young people, and families
- A range of community and social service settings
- Third sector services
- Mental Health preventative work
Previous graduates of this course work for:
- Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Trust
- Other UK NHS Trusts
- Spectrum People, Wakefield
- Ashgate Hospice Care, Chesterfield
- Psychotherapy Manchester CIC
- Brantwood School, Sheffield
- Private practices
Successful completion of this programme will enable you to work with people across the widening range of wellness spectrum and through the lifespan. As well as working within established traditional statutory services, Art therapists are working within a variety of settings focusing on enabling individuals and communities to engage with art in a therapeutic way, to establish ways of living that are personally meaningful, sustainable and which support people's aspirations.
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
The teaching spaces are equipped with a variety of creative supplies, including art materials and facilities for digital art making. There’s also access to support a range of art-making through alternative means – such as clay sculpture, photography or clay animation.
On this course you could have opportunities to work with
- Creative art spaces
- Reflexive art making
- Environmental art
We'll also notify you about relevant online events and digital gallery exhibitions.
We're investing £250 million in new facilities over the next five years. This means students have access to new, innovative, and flexible spaces to study and relax in, making their student experience even better.
Entry requirements
All students
To apply for the course, you must normally have a degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant area, such as Fine Art, Arts Therapies, Humanities, Psychology or Social Sciences.
Whatever degree you have, all applicants are expected to have a portfolio of current art work at the time of application that demonstrates a continuing interest in art making. You will be asked to submit examples of artwork as part of the application process once your initial application has been reviewed.
Applications from professionals working in caring professions such as Social Workers, Nurses and Teachers, are also welcome.
All applicants need to show evidence of relevant pre-courses experience in a related field. It is also an entry requirement that applicants must have, at the time of application, at least a year’s experience of paid or voluntary work in a caring setting. (The BAAT web pages state that this should be the equivalent of a year's full-time work but can be accumulated over a longer period.) In interview we will ask about your art practice and what it means to you, as well as any psychological insights that your art practice provides.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 overall and a minimum of 6.0 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English. Please note that the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) require IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5 for registration.
Helping your application succeed
Experience
Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care. It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview.
Reference
You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview. To confirm your identity on the day please bring a valid form of photo ID with you, preferably a passport or photo driving licence.
View our interview guidance to ensure you understand the interviews process and how you can prepare for this.
Course enrolment - professional requirements
Before enrolling you must fully declare the following information on the pre-admission declaration form provided during the admissions process:
- unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
- involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments
- involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
- enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University
In addition
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check
- you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
- you will need to present valid identity documents (PDF) (PDF, 38.1KB) as part of the application process
- if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining an overseas criminal record check.
- where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.
Occupational Health Screening
You will need to undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge. As part of this assessment you are expected to provide all relevant, truthful and accurate information to ensure a safe environment for yourself and service users.
Immunisations
You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge. Please obtain details of your immunisation history from your doctor so you can submit this during your Occupational Health Screening.
Pre-course Day
After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK it is important for you to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the next stage of the professional requirements for your course. The pre-course day is also a good opportunity to meet fellow applicants on the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, as well as some current students and teaching staff. We will look forward to welcoming you on the day.
Other professional suitability information
Your full enrolment on your course will be confirmed when the Professional Issues Team have verified that your Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas criminal record check where relevant) indicates that you are suitable to work with vulnerable groups including children and clearance from your health screening has been received.
If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, please tell the Professional Issues team immediately by calling 0114 225 5637 or emailing HWB-Professional-Issues@shu.ac.uk.
Disability support
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the Health and Care Professions Council standards of proficiency and take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.
You can contact our disability coordinator on 0114 225 2588 to explore any issues you may have, or you can contact our university disabled student support team on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom).
The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students on health and social care courses and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course.
Open day
Our open days give you an opportunity to chat to our teaching staff and current students. You can explore the campus and view our facilities, as well as asking any questions you may have. To book your place at one of our open days, please follow this link University open days.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Art Therapy Creative Studios
Art Therapy Practice Experience A
Evaluating Research Methodologies
Theoretical Approaches & Contextualising Practice
Final year
Compulsory modules
Art Therapy Practice Experience B
Creating Original Practice
Evaluating Complexity In Practice
Thresholds Towards Practice
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time postgraduate study in 2024/2025 is £15,700 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. For information the tuition fee per year for the course in 2024/2025 is £7,850.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time postgraduate study in 2024/2025 is £22,000 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. For information the tuition fee per year for the course in 2024/2025 is £11,000.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Health and social care management courses (PDF, 326.4KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
