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Play Therapy at University of Roehampton - UCAS

Course summary

This two year full-time programme integrates theoretical learning, clinical skills and in-depth personal development to prepare graduates for clinical practice, predominantly with children, as a professional play therapist within the public and private sectors. Based on a humanistic person-centred model of therapy, this course emphasises the use of play within a therapeutic relationship between the therapist and client to facilitate therapeutic change. The course encompasses theoretical, practical and experiential learning. With our holistic approach to teaching, you will be provided with thorough and systematic knowledge, experience, skills and the confidence to work as a professionally qualified play therapist. At the end of the course, you will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of therapeutic techniques and approaches that are required for professional registration purposes. This course leads to a qualification that entitles you to registration as a Full Member of the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) whose register is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). You will be taught by experienced practitioners who are practising play therapists and will bring the teaching on the course to life by drawing upon their own clinical experiences and case materials. All students are required to be in personal therapy for the duration of the course and will complete two specified periods of supervised clinical placements alongside their studies. Key areas that you will study include human development and growth, play therapy theory and skills and infant observation. Integral to the programme is your own personal development which will be supported by personal therapy and experiential process groups.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • British Association of Play Therapists

Entry requirements

Applicants will normally be required to hold a first degree at Honours level; in most cases this will be in a disciplines such as Psychology, Education, Early Childhood Studies, Mental Health Nursing or Social Work etc. Applicants with an appropriate recognised professional qualification (teaching /social work etc) and/or clinically relevant degree will be expected to have the equivalent of at least two years’ fulltime experience of working within a setting and with young clients relevant to the programme. This should be post-degree experience. Applicants who do not hold a relevant degree or professional qualification will be expected to have considerable (for example five years) experience of working within a setting and with young clients relevant to the programme. This might include working with children with behavioural or developmental challenges, learning difficulties, child mental health, etc. This work can either be done on a voluntary or employed basis; It is recognised that this is a postgraduate training where students are qualified, experienced and valued practitioners in their fields. Students are encouraged to bring prior learning and experience to the training, thus enhancing the breadth and depth of the programme learning. The capacity for playfulness and creativity will be assessed at interview; Applicants should demonstrate a maturity of personality and self-awareness compatible with training as a therapist. Applicants need an appropriate degree of psychological mindedness including the capacity to form and maintain appropriate empathic relationships with clients. They should also demonstrate emotional literacy, robustness and an ability to be self-reflective. This will be ascertained by a combination of health screening, experiential activities and in-depth discussions at interview. Applicants will be required to supply the names of two referees. If possible one of these should be able to comment on the applicant's academic suitability and the other the applicant's clinical/personal suitability for the programme; All successful applicants will need to complete an enhanced DBS check.


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9218 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9218 Year 1
Scotland £9218 Year 1
Wales £9218 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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Play Therapy at University of Roehampton - UCAS