Program Overview

Become a qualified music therapist and learn to use music to improve wellbeing and to positively support people of all ages through diverse challenges.

The MA in Music Therapy trains students to gain the qualification that confers eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). All elements of the curriculum, as well as the learning and teaching methods, enable students to demonstrate their ability to meet the HCPC Standards of Proficiency required for registration.

Within the programme, central historical psychoanalytic concepts are examined through the lens of contemporary practice, constructing a flexible and up-to-date framework for music therapy practice. Improvisation, songwriting, the use of technology, and pre-composed music are all explored as part of the development of students' musical skills. A key principle of questioning power and equality is embedded throughout the training, influencing the teaching of theory, clinical skills, and placement work. The programme equips students with a contemporary framework for music therapy practice, as well as the skills to gain employment and work effectively across all health and care settings. Alongside profession-specific learning, there is an emphasis on interprofessional practice (with two modules taught across the Arts and Play Therapies programmes), leadership, and innovation.

The training pathway follows a logical sequence, allowing students to develop the skills and abilities needed to integrate theory and practice, acquire and demonstrate clinical skills both at university and during placements, show leadership and innovation, and graduate with strong employability prospects.

Students will engage in lecture seminars, discussion groups, reflective practice groups, experiential learning, music skills-based and problem-based learning, as well as work-based learning (placement). Experiential learning is central to the training, particularly in developing clinical (musical) and reflective therapeutic skills. All students undertake two placements (two days a week for the 180-credit programme and one day a week for the 240-credit programme), supervised by Placement Educators at the placement setting, and supported at university through Reflective Practice Groups and lecture seminars, which provide additional learning opportunities.

As part of their development as reflective practitioners, all students on the 180-credit programme are required to undergo personal therapy for two years of their training (usually years 2 and 3 for part-time students). Independent learning tasks further support student learning, involving a mix of studio time, small peer group work, and individual independent study.

Recent graduates have gained employment in a variety of settings, including the NHS, mainstream and special education, and charitable organisations. They work with children, adults, and older adults who have learning disabilities and special needs, including autism, mental health challenges (in community, acute, and secure psychiatric settings), or who have experienced trauma. They also work in dementia care, neurodisability, with care-experienced children, and in hospice and hospital care. Graduates work as both employed and self-employed music therapists. To find out more, you can join the British Association for Music Therapy.