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Art Therapy Schools & Programs in Europe, UK

Below is a list of graduate and undergraduate schools and programs in Europe and the United Kingdom. If you know of any schools or programs that should be added to the list, please leave a comment below. We’ll check out the school and add them to the list if appropriate.

Graduate & Undergraduate Art Therapy Schools & Programs in the UK and Europe

Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK

Art Therapy Northern Programme
Contact: Sue Turton
Address: Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Fulwood House, Old Fulwood Road, Sheffield, S10 3TH
Phone: (0114) 226 4900
Email: sue.turton@shsc.nhs.uk
Web: http://www.sct.nhs.uk/northernprogrammeartps-80.asp
Degrees/Programs: Masters of Arts (MA) in Art Psychotherapy Practice, Master of Arts (MA) in Art Psychotherapy Research

A small number of courses are provided by the Northern Programme which is now based on a partnership between Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust and Leeds Metropolitan University. These courses have a number of innovative features, which build upon more than twenty-five years’ experience of higher education, research and practice in art therapy. Many people well known in art therapy in Britain helped develop the original courses: Dave Edwards, Helen Greenwood, John Henzell, David Maclagan, Professor Joy Schaverien and Dr Chris Wood all worked with Nick Howard to establish the courses at the University of Sheffield.

London, England, UK

Roehampton University in London
Contact: Jonathan Isserow or the Enquiries Team
Address: Erasmus House, Roehampton Lane, London SW15 5PU, England, UK
Phone: Jonathan at +44(0)20 8392 3118 or the enquiries team at +44(0)20 8392 3214
Email: j.isserow@roehampton.ac.uk or enquiries@roehampton.ac.uk
Web: http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/postgraduate-courses/art-therapy/index.html
Degrees/Programs: Master of Arts (MA) Art Therapy

We are the only institution in the UK offering all of the arts and play therapies (dramatherapy, dance movement therapy, music therapy and play therapy).

Our students go on to become state registered professionals with the Health Professions Council (HPC). Registered practitioners work in a variety of settings including psychiatric hospitals, social services departments, special education, prisons and the voluntary sector.

The MA Art Therapy will equip you with the skills, experience and confidence to work in frequently challenging but ultimately rewarding environments.

Goldsmiths University of London

Contact: No contact name available
Address: Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross, London SE14 6NW, England, UK
Phone: + 44 (0)20 7919 7171
Email: admissions@gold.ac.uk
Web: http://cms.gold.ac.uk/pace/art-psychotherapy/
Degrees, Programs and Available Courses:

  • Introduction to Art Therapy Workshop
  • Art Therapy Summer School
  • Foundation Course in Art Psychotherapy
  • Art & Therapy Workshop
  • The Practice & Experience of Art Therapy
  • Master of Arts (MA) Art Psychotherapy
  • MRes in Art Psychotherapy
  • MPhil & PhD in Art Psychotherapy/Dance Movement Therapy
  • Short courses

Derby, England, UK

University of Derby at Britannia Mill, Derby
Contact: No contact name available
Address: Derby, England, Derby, DE22 1GB, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1332 590500
Email: askadmissions@derby.ac.uk
Web: http://www.derby.ac.uk/art-therapy-ma-incorporating-pg-cert-pg-dip
Degrees/Programs: Master of Arts (MA) Art Therapy (incorporating PG Cert/PG Dip)

This programme reinforces the centrality of the image and the role of the imagination in the practice of art therapy.

It places emphasis on preparing you to work in clinical environments and developing the professional skills you’ll need.

The course comprises an extended period of independent scholarship aimed at helping you synthesise your learning from all areas of the course to develop your clinical reasoning and professional identity.

Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK

University of Hertfordshire
Contact: No contact name available
Address: Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9AB UK
Phone: +44 (0)1707 284000
Email: ask@herts.ac.uk
Web: http://www.herts.ac.uk/courses/arttherapy.cfm
Degrees/Programs: Master of Arts (MA) Art Therapy

Musselburgh, Midlothian, UK

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Contact: The Admissions Office
Address: Queen Margaret University Dr, Musselburgh, Midlothian EH21 6UD, UK
Phone: 0131 474 0000
Email: admissions@qmu.ac.uk
Web: http://www.qmu.ac.uk/at/default.htm
Degrees/Programs: Master of Science (MSc) Art Therapy

This Art Therapy programme is responsible for the delivery of the first postgraduate Art Therapy course in Scotland and the first MSc in Art Therapy award in Europe. Staff have excellent international links and have been involved in collaborative projects with other European institutions of higher education.

Comments (41)

41 Responses to “Art Therapy Schools & Programs in Europe, UK”

  1. Cathryn on October 14, 2009 2:34 pm

    Here in the UK, it is required that you study at one of 6 postgraduate programs approved by the Health Professions Council in order to practice. Art Therapist and Art Psychotherapist are protected titles here and it is illegal to call yourself one if you are not registered with the HPC.

    I am currently studying at Sheffield and cannot recommend the program highly enough. I will begin my clinical practice in the next month and I am very much looking forward to it.

  2. gretna on January 7, 2010 8:43 am

    hi im looking for an online art therapy course – im from south africa and we do not have any courses over here – can someone help please – i have a diploma in fine art
    thanks so much
    gretna

  3. meghan on January 27, 2010 11:32 pm

    Gretna,

    I believe that Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College offers an online art therapy masters. Visit http://www.smwc.edu/academics/departments/graduate_studies/art_therapy/index.php for more information. I hope I could be of some help!

    Meghan

  4. florinna on March 5, 2010 2:14 am

    hi meghan,i’m interesting in art therapy too but in romania can’t do the course,i go to that link you told gretna and could’nt find a long distance course…do you know where can i search for it?

    thanks

  5. Laura on March 11, 2010 5:46 am

    Hi there,
    I would like to make a donation and als volunteer at a suitable Art Therapy charity or institution in London, UK. I have no idea where to get started. Who are reputable companies I could make a donation to?

    Thanks,
    Laura

  6. Mallory on April 28, 2010 7:07 pm

    Do these Art Therapy courses allow one to study abroad?
    I’m planning on going for my Masters here in America, and I was hoping to study abroad. Would be great if it were for Art Therapy classes!

  7. Diana on April 30, 2010 8:58 am

    Hi, One more school to add (not sure in terms of accreditations) would be The Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education in London. http://www.artspsychotherapy.org/

    Hope this helps someone. I have been recommended this school by a very good child therapist.
    Diana

  8. Neil on May 5, 2010 4:07 pm

    If anyone is interested the website for Derby’s MA Art Therapy degree show has gone live at http://www.derbyarttherapy.com/

    Might be of interest to see what the students on the MA Art Therapy course are producing.

  9. sara on June 12, 2010 1:49 am

    could you please assist me to find a postgraduate school for Art therapy? I’m desperately looking for help as I ‘ve got confused in the process of opting the appropriate school in London or Europe.

  10. Katrina Harris on August 11, 2010 6:34 am

    Hi, I have been looking to start an MA at Goldsmiths and have been getting the hours experience required to get onto the course. I have been working as a Care Worker for a year and a half, volunteering at a Sue Ryder Hospice running workshops and helping out in the art room in between. I have a First Class honours in Fine Art, but am terrified of being turned down for not having the experience. If anyone can help out I would be so grateful – it has been a long few years getting the hours down, with little time to do my own work which is now seriously neglected! Can anyone help with questions that may be asked at interview, how much they expect from a portfolio of own work, and if I (finally!) have enough experience?

    Thank you for any comments or help at all!
    Katrina

  11. dani on September 4, 2010 10:10 pm

    hi

    there’s also the IATE school in London that combines several expressive form of art.
    I really liked their website and their philosophy. Does anyone know about this school?

  12. dani on September 4, 2010 10:14 pm

    just learned that Diana’s link is the same school I ws talking about in my previous post: IATE institute. :) The only problem is that the school lasts 4 years basically, even if on a very part time schedule…

  13. Terka on October 27, 2010 10:41 am

    Hello,

    I would like to know something about other European countries… I’m particularly interested in dance therapy. Do you know where they have such a program? Or do you know what type of art therapy can be studied in Switzerland?

    Thank you

  14. Tülay Araz on November 10, 2010 5:18 am

    Hi,
    I’m a painter living in Istanbul, Turkey.
    Do you know and art therapy courses on line or short courses directly where I can learn this process?
    thank you very much for your reply
    Regards

  15. Michelle on November 25, 2010 7:38 pm

    Hi All,

    I’m currently in school to get a Master’s in Art Therapy at a school in America. I am interested in doing a study abroad in England. Does anyone recommend any schools? I would welcome any advice on studying abroad in general. Thanks so much!

    Michelle

  16. Alba on December 1, 2010 2:50 am

    Hi,

    about studying in Switzerland and dance therapy.

    TAMALPA INSTITUTE (Daria&Anna Halprin, there is a very good doc “Breath made visible” you can watch) They have another branch in Argentina.

    ISIS Institute in Zürich, Switzerland about mouvement, dance&art therapy (but the language is GERMAN I guess…)Ithink a good school…
    These centers and some others over the world are linked to EUROPEAN GRADUATE SCHOOL http://www.egs.edu CHECK IT OUT!!
    a very goooooood place to study but very expensive…..
    so TAMALPA, ISIS, TAE (Peru), L´Atelier (Geneva, Switzerland.Tuition is in french) and some more are all part of EGS but offer less expensive Master programs…

    I will go travelling next months but planning to start ArtTherapy in Sep´11 or early ´12…I couldn´t take a decission yet where to do it…any suggestion or recomendation is appreciated!

    Cheers!

    Alba*

  17. Noleen on January 15, 2011 9:30 am

    I live in South Africa. I am interested in Dance Therapy and would like to find an online or correspondence course as I cannot travel or relocate. I have a PhD in Psychology. I am a qualified and registered (licensed to practise) Social Worker. I am a qualified and registered (both in Scotland and South Africa) Highland Dance teacher. My interests are trauma, bereavement, grief, disability, and children with special learing needs.

  18. Mariet on January 27, 2011 5:36 am

    Hi every one from every where,
    It seems South Africa is full of potential expressive art therapists. Could any one get contact details for a correspondence/web based course in expressive art therapy or art therapy yet?
    Would love to also receive the information.
    Blessings
    Mariet

  19. Lidia Azevedo on February 18, 2011 3:47 pm

    Hi! Im looking for a Master’s Degree in Arts Therapy or Psychotherapy in Scandinavia (any country would do, but preferently Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway… not Iceland…)
    But I’m not findind anything!! :(
    Thank you so much for any information…
    Best regards,
    Lidia

  20. Ana Laura Tuya on February 20, 2011 5:14 pm

    Hi! I live in Argentina, but I´m planning to move to geneva in the next months. I have a degree in Psychopedagogy, and I´m looking for a master degree in dance movement therapy in switzerland, more precisely in Geneva (if it´s possibe), or in Fance. It would be great if someone could provide me any information!!

    Thanks a lot!

    Ana

  21. Anna Boam on April 3, 2011 8:20 am

    Hey! Does anyone have any information about studying in the UK and then working in Europe? Norway specifically but information on anywhere is helpful.

    I have a place in Sep at a UK course but would like to live elsewhere eventually.

    Thanks

    Anna

  22. Christy on May 2, 2011 8:22 pm

    Hi~ I am from Hong Kong. There is no master in Art Therapy here. I want to get an master in UK/ Australia. However, my bachelor degree is in Biochemistry instead of any subjects in Arts/ Psychology. Is there any way for me to get into this field? Is Pg Dip useful in getting in master in Art Therapy or it is not a must? Thanks!

  23. andrew on May 4, 2011 5:50 pm

    Hi, I am from Italy. There is no master in Art Therapy here….or not? thanks for help in information!

  24. andrew on May 4, 2011 5:58 pm

    ciao! is there Distance Learning courses for Art Terapy?

  25. ELIZABETH on May 16, 2011 4:03 pm

    HELLO
    I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS SOME AVAILABLE WORKSHOP OR SHORT COURSE ON 8 OR 9 JULY,2011,I WILL BE IN LONDON BY THEN,AND I AM AN ARTIST I HAVA HAD SEVERAL EXIBITIONS ALL OVER THE WORL,I AM PRESCHOOL TEACHER,HABE A MASTER DEGREE IN CLINICAL PSYCOPATOLOGI,AND A POSGRADE IN MEDIATION.
    THANKS

  26. Laurel on July 10, 2011 7:38 am

    Hi,

    I’m from Trinidad W.I. I’m a high school art teacher with a BA in Visual Arts and I really want to further my studies in art therapy, however, it is not offered here in my country or in any other part of the Caribbean region as a masters programme. I really need some help in finding a suitable school in either the UK or Australia.
    Thanks.

  27. Sayalee Phatak on August 12, 2011 11:06 am

    Hi.. i have completed my masters in clinical psychology and have been practicing theater for the past six years. I am interested in a drama therapy course in Europe or UK.Please could you suggest something suitable?? Thank you.

  28. Melissa on August 20, 2011 1:04 pm

    Hi,

    I am also South African and looking for for formal correspondence schooling in art therapy… any information and or direction would be great!

  29. Megan on August 30, 2011 9:31 am

    hi there,
    also a South African very keen to get into art therapy. Any other South Africans had any luck?
    :)

  30. Haezer on September 2, 2011 2:52 pm

    PLEASE JUST HELP ME OUT. I WANT TO BECOME A MUSIC THERAPIST. FIND A SCHOOL FOR ME NOW.

  31. Ioanna Kertsou on September 21, 2011 10:02 am

    Hi!!!
    I am Ioanna from Greece and I am planning to do my masters in Art Therapy. I have a major in Psychology and a minor in Art History and I would like to ask whether you could recommend me a university with a masters program in art therapy in Berlin!! Looking forward for your answer!! Thank you

  32. Ciska on October 12, 2011 5:31 am

    Hi there, I’m also from South africa and would love to study towards art therapy. What is the entry requirements and what is our options of studying this e.g. long distance? How long is the course and could someone of the accredited universities not please think of presenting this training formally in south africa?

  33. Kanelle on October 18, 2011 11:01 am

    Hey,

    I’m french and i’m really interested in Art-therapy. I’m, for now, studying psychology in The University Of Mont-Saint-Aignan, in Rouen but, at least, I’d like to study Art-thérapy. Anyway. I’ve done many prospections last year about where to study Art therapy and thus, I know there is different courses offered in France. You can study Art-therapy in a school in Tours,you can study it at University, in Paris Descartes (La Sorbonne) and I’ve learned not a long time from now that a MA opened this year in La Sorbonne, Paris 3 . I thought I could give you this informations about the Art therapy’s schools in Europe!

  34. Clara on October 28, 2011 9:07 am

    Hi, I’m an Italian clinical psychologist, and I have been working in the international cooperation.
    I’m looking for an online course. I checked the one on Saint-Mary of the Woods, but I’m not convinced.
    Is there any new online course you can recommend?
    Thank you

  35. Dyanne on November 9, 2011 3:27 am

    Hi all,

    I’m also from South Africa looking for a way to study Art Therapy – seems to be a hothouse of potential therapists (and the perfect place to practice) but I haven’t been able to track down any useful information.

    I also wasn’t convinced by the one online offering on the list of schools – sounded like it was only partially online.

    If anyone has managed to find anything online or knows of some sort of training facility in SA, I’d greatly appreciate the help!

    Thanks :)

  36. Linda on December 7, 2011 12:46 am

    I have applied to some art therapy masters courses in the UK and now have the task of choosing which course to do. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding MSC vs MA and any particular Uni’s in the UK that are reknowned for their course?

    Many thanks

  37. hannah on December 20, 2011 11:48 am

    hi, i am looking to do the art therapy masters at Chester Uni, UK and the art psychotherapy masters at Sheffield, UK. Does anyone have any advice to offer, in terms of the interview process and the course. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
    Many thanks,
    Han

  38. Sonya rademeyer on January 2, 2012 7:37 am

    Hi, ANOTHER South African looking to pursue art therapy via distant-learning! Perhaps its the trauma we’re surrounded by daily..

    Just wondering if Dyanne (or any other South Africans) have managed to access something. Please let me know??

    Thanks,
    Sonya

  39. Rona on January 9, 2012 2:52 pm

    Well I’m surprised to see how many South Africans are wanting to qualify as Art Therapists, and still no luck?? I’ve been spending hours on the internet searching for anything helpful, please let us know if someone has found any way of qualifying at all!!

  40. Laurianne on January 18, 2012 5:59 am

    Hi
    I’ve noticed a number of South African’s are interested in doing DMT through distance learning,this is also an area of interest for me. Has anyone heard anything yet, or of courses that can be done in South Africa?

    I can’t find anything on the internet regarding distance learning.

  41. eftichia on January 23, 2012 12:07 am

    hi,
    i have a degree in applied mathematics with a direction in education and i am very interested in art therapy and especially art therapy for children!
    I was wondering if anyone could help me.
    I would love to take some master-courses-workshop-seminar in London or Berlin!!
    thank you

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