Course summary
The creation of art in the presence of a trained art psychotherapist can have a profoundly positive effect for people experiencing difficulties in their lives. Art therapy is not a recreational activity (although the sessions can be enjoyable) but a form of psychotherapy that helps people address confusing and distressing issues. Art psychotherapists work with people to access their own image-making abilities. You could work with people of any age, from very small children through to older adults, helping them to use art media to express themselves and communicate. You may work with groups or individuals. Your learning will be enriched by the interdisciplinary structure of the course as you study alongside your peers from various other pathways within QMU’s Person-Centred Practice Framework, including the MSc Music Therapy and MSc Dramatherapy. This MSc Art Psychotherapy is based in the School of Health Sciences at QMU. We invite applicants with a minimum of one year’s experience of working in the caring professions, such as psychiatry, education, social services and the voluntary sector. It will enable you to develop a career in this rewarding profession.
Modules
Full-time route Year One: Theory and Practice of Person-Centred Health and Wellbeing (20 credits) Leading Person-Centred Practice for Health and Wellbeing (20 credits) Practice-based Learning 1 (40 credits) Developmental and Relational Perspectives (20 credits) Art Psychotherapy Theory and Practice (20 credits) Year Two: Practice-based Learning 2 (40 credits) Arts Therapies in Context (20 credits) Dissertation (60 credits) Part-time route* Years One and Two: Art Psychotherapy Practice-based Learning 1 (Part 1) (40 credits) Developmental and Relational Perspectives (20 credits) Theory and Practice of Person-Centred Health and Wellbeing (20 credits) Art Psychotherapy Theory and Practice (20 credits) Art Psychotherapy Practice Based Learning 1 (Part 2) (40 credits) Leading Person-Centred Practice for Health and Wellbeing (20 credits) Art Psychotherapy Practice-Based Learning 2 Part 1 (40 credits) Years Three and Four: Art Psychotherapy Practice-Based Learning 2 (part 2) (40 credits) Arts Therapies in Context (20 credits) Dissertation (60 credits) *The part-time route is subject to change NB The modules listed are correct at time of posting (October 2023) but are subject to change. In the event that modules change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on students.
Assessment method
You will attend classes, work in groups and carry out independent learning. Assessment methods include reports, essays and presentations. You will undertake a practice placement.
- Placements are vital to your learning process. You will undertake supervised practice placement spread over two semesters. For full-time students that are two days per week and for part-time students it is one day per week. Your placements could be in various locations and settings, including education, voluntary and healthcare environments. Placements are allocated by QMU.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Health and Care Professions Council
- British Association of Art Therapists
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
International applicants
Due to visa requirements for International students, they will not be able to study on the part time course.
Entry requirements
UK honours degree or equivalent in the area of the visual arts supported by a portfolio of art work in a variety of media over a period of time. Degrees in subjects such as psychology, social work, nursing and education will be considered if supported by a substantial portfolio of art work. Applicants will be contacted with further information regarding submission of an online portfolio, after submitting their application. Normally a minimum of one year’s full-time experience (or part-time equivalent) of work in a caring capacity or equivalent. Relevant work includes: nursing assistant, project worker, arts instructor, care work in a community setting, art teaching, or facilitating art workshops. Some experience of personal art psychotherapy or psychodynamic psychotherapy, or experiential workshops in creative therapies is desirable. International: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 7.0 with no individual component score less than 6.5. Criminal records check: A satisfactory criminal records check will be required. Interview: UK applicants are expected to attend an interview at QMU and will be required to submit their art portfolio electronically. Interviews will take place normally between December and May. Interviews for international students will be conducted over Skype.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £9210 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9210 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9210 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9210 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9210 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9210 | Year 1 |
| International | £16725 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
2025 Postgraduate Arts Therapies
PLEASE NOTE: Fees are per year, our Art Therapy courses are two year courses.
Fees detailed exclude any dissertation or 'top-up' fees.
These are full-time fees for QMU's Art Therapy courses and applies for the following: MSc Art Psychotherapy, MSc Dramatherapy and MSc Music Therapy.
Provider information
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Queen Margaret University Drive
Musselburgh
Edinburgh
EH21 6UU