| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-04-24 | - |
| 2023-09-19 | - |
| 2024-01-09 | - |
Program Overview
Overview
This programme will offer you the advanced skills, knowledge and confidence to respond to a wide range of health needs across physical, mental health and community sectors as an art psychotherapist. As a graduating student you will be able to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (link here). The MA Art Psychotherapy programme is provided in partnership with CNWL NHS Foundation Trust and this means work placement experience is at the core of this programme.
The MA qualification is approved by the HCPC and you will gain experience of working in health contexts, including the NHS and third sector. This qualification aligns with Healthcare Employers strategic objectives and goals related to workforce planning and the strategic aims set out by NHS England and local NHS Trusts to have closer working relationships with the third sector.
Please click
here
for more information on the course.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Program Outline
Course content
The course is two year full-time starting in September. It includes two clinical placements that run alongside academic teaching. At the heart of this programme are the cultural values of responding to the social and health care needs of the participants and this may vary according to the socio-economic context, age, disability, gender, sex, race and religion. You will learn ways of understanding different approaches to art psychotherapy which means you can tailor the practice according to the people you work with. You will be taught evidence-based practices by leading practitioners, including arts-based innovative approaches to collaboration and co-production that are safe, effective and well managed.
The first placement (Placement A) is for the first year of the programme and the second placement (Placement B) for the duration of the second year of the programme.
This course can be studied 2 years full-time, starting in September.
Year 1
Year 2
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
We use an array of teaching and learning strategies on the MA, including group lectures, role-play, workshops, experiential learning (e.g. dynamic group art therapy work), tutorials, writing and arts-based learning experiences. Lecturers will introduce conceptual material and we will direct learners to explore this in relation to arts therapies, either individually or in collaboration with peers.
The seminars and practical workshop sessions will provide smaller group contact and the opportunity to practice, review, discuss and debate the practice and theory, knowledge and understanding of evidence informed Art Psychotherapy. The sessions sometimes will require learners to make non-assessed presentations to the peer group and the tutor, either individually or as part of a team making use, where appropriate of ICT.
Individual and small group assignments and presentations build critical awareness and give opportunities to explore and develop the practical implications of theory. Dissertation research will give learners the opportunity to integrate knowledge about pertinent clinical advances, and to familiarise learners with the rigours of independent investigative work.
Assessment and feedback
Formative Assessment Strategy
The programme uses a range of formative (interim) assessment methods leading to summative (final) assessments to help you to assimilate and understand complex learning material. We will often use formative assessments at the end of learning sessions and these enrich the learning experience through assessing
for
learning rather than only an assessmentof
learning. Formative assessments will focus on five areas of learner experience: reliability, validity, feasibility, acceptance, and impact. Reliability will focus on art psychotherapy theory and practice required for using the arts as well as practice and knowledge about the professional environment and competencies. Examples of formative assessments include case study analysis, clinical simulation, practice observations and feedback, peer assessments, surveys of practice. The placement uses an ongoing placement digital portfolio which can utilise images and writing for the purposes of supporting formative assessments involving the placement supervisor and tutor and contributes towards the final placement digital portfolio for your summative assessment for each year. The expectation is that the placement digital portfolio reflects assimilation of critical thinking with an advanced applied knowledge of clinical practice in art psychotherapy.
Summative Assessment Strategy
The summative assessments progress from formative assessments and are based on many of the same principles that enable you to learn and assimilate knowledge. Throughout the programme we have positioned summative assessments to reflect the required depth of learning consolidation required for effective application of practice and theory. Further to this the summative assessment strategy will ensure that you are ‘work force ready’ enabling professional competency, increasing employability and offering an accessible and inclusive approach to learning. We use summative assessments to develop your skills and abilities and to assess levels of competence. The nine modules for the award combine different modes of assessment which are positioned carefully throughout the course to support your learning.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.
Brunel University London
Overview:
Brunel University London is a public research university located in Uxbridge, west London. It is known for its focus on practical learning and its strong links with industry. The university prides itself on being a "university for a changing world," emphasizing its commitment to innovation and addressing global challenges.
Services Offered:
Brunel University London offers a wide range of services to its students, including:
Study Support:
Library, Computer Centre, Academic Skills Service, Personal Tutors, Academic English support.Student Services:
Advice and Representation Centre (ARC), Disability and Mental Health Support, Faith and Religion support, Medical Centre, Student Support and Welfare.Professional Development Centre:
Job Shop, Careers advice, Placements, Modern languages, Entrepreneur hub, Brunel Buddies.Student Life and Campus Experience:
Brunel University London has a single-site campus, offering a vibrant and diverse student community. Students can expect:
Accommodation:
Guaranteed accommodation for first-year students.Sport:
A wide range of sports facilities and activities.Student Life:
Opportunities to get involved in clubs, societies, and volunteering.Shops, Restaurants, and Bars:
A variety of options for dining and socializing on campus.Key Reasons to Study There:
Practical Learning:
Brunel University London emphasizes practical learning and industry links, providing students with valuable skills for their future careers.World-Class Research:
The university has a strong reputation for research, with students benefiting from learning from leading academics.Vibrant Campus Life:
The single-site campus offers a lively and diverse student community with numerous opportunities for engagement.Excellent Location:
The campus is located in Uxbridge, west London, with good transport links to the rest of the UK.Academic Programs:
Brunel University London offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:
Business, Arts, and Social Sciences:
Business School, Economics and Finance, Education, English, History, Journalism, Law, Media and Communications, Politics and International Relations, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology.Engineering, Design, and Physical Sciences:
Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Design School, Digital Media, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Games Design, Geography, Mathematics, Mechanical and Automotive Engineering.Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences:
Advanced Clinical Practice, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Education, Life Sciences, Medicine, Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Music, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physician Associate, Physiotherapy, Public Health and Health Promotion, Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Theatre.Other:
- Brunel University London is a member of the University of London federation.
- The university has a strong commitment to equality and diversity.
- Brunel University London is ranked 38th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings.
- The university has a strong focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
- Brunel University London offers a variety of scholarships and bursaries to support students.
- The university has a dedicated team to support international students.
-
Brunel University London has a strong alumni network.
-
Academic Programs:
While the context lists various subjects, it does not provide a detailed outline of the key academic programs and strengths of the institution.
Other:
The context does not include any additional pertinent details about Brunel University London that have not been covered in the above sections.A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification in a visual arts degree or in a discipline related to the programme such as psychology, occupational therapy, social work, or nursing.
In addition, successful applicants
must
complete the following:Submission of a portfolio:
All applicants should be prepared to submit a portfolio of artwork demonstrating an in-depth understanding of aesthetics and image making processes. The portfolio should include:
Ideally the portfolio should be presented in an online format, for example as an Adobe Portfolio (more information on Adobe Portfolio can be found at https://portfolio.adobe.com) or alternatively Microsoft Sway (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2016/08/17/sway-design-tips-and-new-templates/)
Work experience: We recommend 12 months comprehensive and relevant work experience, which may be voluntary work in a health, social services, education, special needs, community centre or charity setting. You should supply a CV with your application that details this experience.
Interview: Competitive applicants will be invited to take part in an interview with the academic department.
Further details about the format of the interview will be available soon.
English Language Requirements
All courses at Brunel have an English language requirement. This is listed on your
course page
under 'entry criteria'.If you need an English test, we recommend booking one early
as there can be a long wait in some areas. You can also take our Brunel English Language Test (
BrunELT
).What level of English do I need?
In general, our courses ask for an English level of between IELTS 6.0 and 7.0 or equivalent. Some courses will have higher requirements (and will require you to also reach minimum sub-scores), so please
check your course page
for the exact level.
If you do not meet the required level of English, you can take one of ourpre-sessional courses
.What English qualifications does Brunel accept?
English qualifications we currently accept for degree level study include those listed below. We accept a wide range of other qualifications, so if you are unsure please get in touch with us on
What English qualifications do I need if I wish to study English at Brunel before my degree course?
If you need to study English before starting your degree, you should take one of the following tests at
an approved test centre
in order to apply for a Student visa:
Find out more about exams you can take to obtain a Student visa:
IELTS (Academic) for UKVI,
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
,Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
, andPearson PTE Academic
. For further details,contact us
.I don't need to study English before I start my degree. Do I still need to provide proof of English language?
All international students must show evidence that they meet the English requirement for their course of study. This applies even if English is the native language of your home country. If this is the case, a pass at high school level which is equivalent to GCSE Grade C or above is sometimes acceptable. Please see your
country page
for more information.If you don't need to study English before your degree and don't have relevant high school qualifications, we can still accept a non-UKVI-approved IELTS from an official test centre with the required scores. However, should you not achieve the required scores for your degree course, you will not be able to use this IELTS to apply for a Tier 4 visa for a pre-sessional English course in the UK. In some circumstances, if you don't have a UKVI IELTS, you may be able to attend an English course with a Short Term Study visa.
Contact us
for more information.
English language qualifications we accept
(Click to expand and see specific requirements):
IELTS for UKVI (UKVI approved for Student Visa)
|
Pre-sessional English only |
|
|---|---|
|
4.0 to 5.0 |
|
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) |
5.5 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) /Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
|
6.5 |
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
(Minimum 4 in all subscores) |
|
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) |
(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) /Brunel degree programmes |
(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores) |
|
(Minimum 5.5 to 6.0 in all subscores, depending on course) |
|
|
(Minimum 5.5 to 7.0 in all subscores, depending on course) |
|
|
Pre-sessional English only |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (PBC) /Brunel degree programmes |
||
|
4.0 to 5.0 |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
|
(Minimum 4 in all subscores) |
(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores) |
(Minimum 5.5 in all subscores) |
(Minimum 5.5 to 6.0 in all subscores, depending on course) |
(Minimum 5.5 to 7.0 in all subscores, depending on course) |
English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.
View your course page
for more information.Please contact
for more information.
Trinity College London: Secure English Language Tests for UKVI - Integrated Skills in English (ISE) (UKVI approved for Student Visa)
|
|
|
|---|---|
|
IELTS |
|
|
Pre-sessional English only |
4.0+ |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
5.5 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
|
6.5 |
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
Trinity ISE |
|
|
Pre-sessional English only |
ISE I with pass or higher in all parts |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
ISE II with pass in all parts |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes |
ISE III with pass in all parts |
|
ISE III with pass in all parts |
|
|
ISE IV with pass in all parts |
|
|
|
Pre-sessional English only |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/Brunel degree programmes |
||
|
IELTS |
4.0+ |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
|
Trinity ISE |
ISE I with pass or higher in all parts |
ISE II with pass in all parts |
ISE III with pass in all parts |
ISE III with pass in all parts |
ISE IV with pass in all parts |
English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.
View your course page
for more information.Please contact
for more information.
BrunELT (Brunel English Language Test)
|
IELTS |
|
|---|---|
| Pre-sessional English Only |
4.0+ |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
5.5 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
|
6.5 |
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
BrunELT |
|
| Pre-sessional English Only |
40%+ (a minimum of 40% in all parts) |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
55% (a minimum of 55% in all parts) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
58% (a minimum of 55% in all parts) |
|
63% (a minimum of 55% or 58% in all parts, depending on course) |
|
|
68% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course) |
|
|
73% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course) |
|
| Pre-sessional English Only | Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IELTS |
4.0+ |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
7.5 |
|
BrunELT |
40%+ (a minimum of 40% in all parts) |
55% (a minimum of 55% in all parts) |
58% (a minimum of 55% in all parts) |
63% (a minimum of 55% or 58% in all parts, depending on course) |
68% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course) |
73% (a minimum of 58%, 63% or 68% in all parts, depending on course) |
English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.
View your course page
for more information.Please contact
for more information.
Pearson Academic (UKVI approved for Student Visa)
|
IELTS |
|
|---|---|
| Pre-sessional English only |
4.0+ |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
5.5 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
|
6.5 |
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
PTE Academic UKVI |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
43+ (a minimum of 43 for each part) |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
|
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
|
|
64 (a minimum of 59 or 64 for each part, depending on course) |
|
| Pre-sessional English only | Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC)/
Brunel degree programmes |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IELTS |
4.0+ |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
|
PTE Academic UKVI |
43+ (a minimum of 43 for each part) |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
59 (a minimum of 59 for each part) |
64 (a minimum of 59 or 64 for each part, depending on course) |
English language requirements for direct entry to Brunel are dependent on your chosen course.
View your course page
for more information.Please contact
for more information.
Cambridge
|
IELTS |
|
|---|---|
| Pre-sessional English only |
4.0+ |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
5.5 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
6.0 |
|
6.5 |
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
Cambridge English: Business Certificates (BEC) suite of exams |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each part) (previously BEC Preliminary pass/pass with merit) |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade C) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade B) |
|
180 (minimum of 160 or 169 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade C) or Vantage (Grade A) |
|
|
185 (minimum of 169 or 180 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade B) |
|
|
IGCSE EFL (English as a first language) |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
D |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
C/4 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
C/4 |
|
C/4 |
|
|
C/4 |
|
|
IGCSE ESL (English as a second language) |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
D |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
C/4 |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
C/4 |
|
C/4 |
|
|
C/4 |
|
|
B2 First (formerly FCE) |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each sub-score) (Pass/Pass for previous BEC Preliminary) |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (C old test) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) (B old test) |
|
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (A old test) |
|
|
|
|
|
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
N/A |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (D old test) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (C old test) |
|
|
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
|
C2 Proficiency (CPE) |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
N/A |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
|
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) |
|
|
International Legal English Certificate - ILEC/ International Certificate of Financial English - ICFE |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
N/A |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (B2 Pass) |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass) |
|
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course)(C1 Pass) |
|
|
185 (a minimum of 169 or 180 for each sub-score, depending on course) (C1 Pass with Merit) |
|
|
International Education English O'level |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
D |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
C |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
C |
|
C |
|
|
C |
|
|
Cambridge International Level 1/Level 2 Certificate in First Language English |
|
| Pre-sessional English only |
D |
| Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
C |
|
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
C |
|
C |
|
|
C |
|
| Pre-sessional English only | Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College (BPC) |
Pre-sessional English/Brunel Pathway College/
Brunel degree programmes |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IELTS |
4.0+ |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
7.0 |
|
Cambridge English: Business Certificates (BEC) suite of exams |
140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each part) (previously BEC Preliminary pass/pass with merit) |
160 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade C) |
169 (minimum of 160 for each part) or BEC Vantage (Grade B) |
180 (minimum of 160 or 169 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade C) or Vantage (Grade A) |
185 (minimum of 169 or 180 for each part, depending on course) or BEC Higher (Grade B) |
|
IGCSE EFL (English as a first language) |
D |
C/4 |
C/4 |
C/4 |
C/4 |
|
IGCSE ESL (English as a second language) |
D |
C/4 |
C/4 |
C/4 |
C/4 |
|
B2 First (formerly FCE) |
140-159 (a minimum of 140 for each sub-score) (Pass/Pass for previous BEC Preliminary) |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (C old test) |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending on course) (B old test) |
180 (a minimum of 160 or 169 for each sub-score, depending on course) (A old test) |
|
|
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) |
N/A |
160 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score) (D old test) |
169 (a minimum of 160 for each sub-score, depending o |
||
