| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years part time |
| Entry year | 2024 (September start) |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Psychology |
| Contact |
| Typical offer | An undergraduate degree, or a previous qualification at an equivalent level. |
|---|---|
Overview
- Developed to equip you with the ability to assimilate and understand psychological therapeutic practice in general and in your chosen therapeutic modality in depth. This includes an appreciation of the relationship between different forms of psychotherapeutic practice.
- Designed to constitute a qualifying programme for you to become an independent professional practitioner in family/systemic psychotherapy. As long as all requirements are met the programme will give you eligibility to apply for registration with the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice as a family/systemic psychotherapist with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
- The programme is split into academic and clinical sets of modules. The clinical modules will enable you to become a competent family/systemic psychotherapist and run alongside the academic modules.
Clinical Education Development and Research (CEDAR)
Contact
Programme administrator: Hannah Petrie
Email: admin-systemicstudies@exeter.ac.uk
Phone: +44 1392 724644
This programme is delivered by Clinical Education, Development and Research (CEDAR): an applied psychological practice centre of excellence, focussed on training the new psychological therapies workforce of the future.
Competency-based training, delivered according to the latest evidence-informed clinical pedagogic approaches
Dedicated training facilities equipped with video and audio recording
A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development
Competency-based training, delivered according to the latest evidence-informed clinical pedagogic approaches
Dedicated training facilities equipped with video and audio recording
A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development
Entry requirements
This programme will cover core and advanced theories and skills, and will not be taught at a basic or introductory level. It is intended for trainees who have such basic knowledge and skills who wish to become more specialised or advanced practitioners and or researchers.
Successful applicants to the course will need to have met the following criteria:
1. Preliminary training in systemic practice.
Normally this would mean at least a year’s preliminary formal systemic psychotherapy training (successful completion of a foundation and intermediate course or equivalent).
2. Clinical experience using a systemic approach.
Normally this would mean an intermediate level course that includes a minimum of 60 hours of supervised practice. Applications will be considered from those who have not completed a formal intermediate level training but who can provide evidence of appropriate clinical and educational experience.
3. An undergraduate degree, or a previous qualification at an equivalent level.
This is required by the University of Exeter for enrolment in a postgraduate programme and is important to ensure capacity to complete academic course work, most of which will be done through self-directed assignments.
4. A recognised qualification in a profession involving the care of people with mental health problems.
A qualifications such as Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Counselling (with membership of BAC). The programme will assume basic knowledge of topics such as the diagnosis of mental health problems, ethical practice and the trainee's capacity to observe basic ethical, safety and reporting procedures in carrying out a course of therapy.
5. Normally the applicant will also be working in settings in which they can be working systemically with clients.
Trainees must have the approval of their manager in releasing them from some of their normal duties for the duration of the Programme.
Entry requirements for international students
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
Course content
75 credits of compulsory modules.
75 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PYCM015 | Family Therapy and the Family of Therapies | 15 |
| PYCM051 | Psychological Therapies Research Methods | 15 |
| PYCM052 | Evidenced-Based Practice and Practice-Based Evidence in Family Therapy | 15 |
| PYCM053 | Key Concepts and Skills in Systemic/Family Therapy Practice | 15 |
| PYCM054 | Systemic Clinical Practice: Part 1 | 15 |
How to apply
Before applying
If you have any questions, we welcome you to one of two open days – one online, one in person. These open days will be a chance for you to ask any questions about the course and to hear in more detail about our MSc programme.
Open days 2025
Face-to-face: Thursday 27th February 2025, 13:30-16:00, Streatham Campus
Online: Friday 14th March 2025, 10:00-12:30
To book a place at one of the open days, or for any other queries, please contact admin-systemicstudies@exeter.ac.uk.
Complete an application form
To apply, please download and complete a Systemic Application Form (.docx) and return this to the Programme Administrator at admin-systemicstudies@exeter.ac.uk. The closing date for applications is 31 March 2025.
We reserve the right to close this process if we receive large numbers of applications. If this occurs, then you can continue to apply and we will put your application on a reserve list.
Fees
Home/EU students
Part time (2 years): £8,000 per year
Due to clinical placements and supervision requirements our programmes are not normally available to students who are not based in the UK. For further details please contact the programme administrator.
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
I believe using a systemic framework can help us tackle some of the difficulties we face generally. Almost all the young people I work with are responding appropriately and understandably to incredibly difficult life circumstances. We need to contextualise mental health, within both the family and wider society.
Hannah Sherbersky
Co-director of Systemic Portfolio, Senior Lecturer, Researcher and Systemic Psychotherapist/Academic Lead for MSc PTPR Systemic Therapy
Teaching and research
Teaching will include lectures, supervision and tutorials, seminars and discussions within the whole group. There will be practical classes, reading and preparation in preparation for presentations and assessments.
There will also be guided independent study: you will design, recruit, prepare and submit an ethics application, conduct data collection, analyse data, write up and disseminate.
Assessments for year 1 include:
- essays
- research proposal
- critical analysis
- commentary
- group presentation
- case study
- and completion of a placement and accompanying placement report, written by supervisor and student.
Assessments for year 2 include:
- research project
- DVD of presentation (15 minutes) and placement report
- a book review
- essay
- case study of your own practice
- and a final presentation of a specific model of therapy, including presentation.
Careers
This programme is training people already in a career within the NHS or NHS Talking Therapies service. It will provide you with an outstanding opportunity to develop your competencies and knowledge associated with practice as a Practitioner.
A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development.
Advantages of the programme are that:
- You will study within a vibrant, stimulating and internationally-recognised research environment, where members of your teaching team have first-hand experience within the clinical setting.
- Your learning experience will be enriched by nationally-recognised, innovative, clinical teaching approaches, designed to develop you on your terms.
