Content
Personal development runs throughout the course, and you must be prepared to undertake what may sometimes be challenging and rigorous explorations of your professional and personal issues and influences - excellent preparation for a music therapist. During the course, we ask you to be in confidential personal therapy with a suitably qualified therapist, for example, a creative arts therapist, a counsellor or psychotherapist. The number of hours is not specified, but the Health Professions Council requires you to have had substantive and sustained experience of personal therapy during the three years of the course (40 to 60 hours is recommended). Please note, this cost is not included in the course fee.
There is also a counselling component within the professional practice modules. You will experience a music therapy training group facilitated by external music therapists. You will need to set aside regular time, beyond personal therapy and attending taught sessions, for reflection and study.
All course modules are compulsory:
Year one
- Music Therapy Professional Practice with Children and Young People - This incorporates a placement within a child setting, and seminars to develop related musical and clinical skills.
- Music Therapy Theory and Child Development - Taught seminars and online lectures cover theory, research and case material relating to child work in music therapy.
Year two
- Music Therapy Professional Practice and Skills with Adults - This incorporates a placement within an adult setting, and seminars extending related musical and clinical skills.
- Music Therapy Theory and Practice in Adult Settings - Face-to-face seminars and online lectures covering theory, research and case material relating to child work in music therapy.
- Qualitative and Quantitative Methods - This inter-professional module comprises face-to-face seminars and online lectures on qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Year three
- Music Therapy Advanced Professional Practice - You'll secure a placement, and under expert supervision, extend your entrepreneurial, musical and clinical skills.
- Dissertation in Psychology - Design and implement a research project in music therapy.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching is based on lectures and seminars, small group practical sessions and individual tutorials. There is a strong experiential basis to the course, which is led by a team of experienced music therapists and complemented by visiting specialists from a range of related professions.
The course is highly flexible and attracts a diverse demographic, with musicians from many backgrounds - this allows for valuable peer-learning opportunities.
For more details see our glossary of teaching and learning terms.
Study time
Three years, part-time:
We run an induction programme during mid-September, before the start of Year 1.
Years one and two
If you are studying on the part-time MA you'll need to set aside a minimum of 2.5 days a week to complete the course. In the first two years you'll spend one day a week at UWE Bristol, with a further day on placement between November and May. Placements are arranged, wherever possible, close to your home. At least half a day of personal study a week is required. UWE Bristol days are currently Tuesdays for year 1, and Mondays for years 2 and 3.
Year three
During the final year, you attend the campus less regularly roughly every three weeks. Throughout the year, we provide remote supervision of your research to allow weekly clinical supervision of advanced practice.
Assessment
We assess your work and progress through written essays, practice portfolios and viva presentations each year, and also one research exam, a microanalysis, a music practical and a research portfolio.
You will need to submit all written work electronically and have access to the internet. You will also need your own recording equipment for use on placement.
For more details see our full glossary of assessment terms.