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Becoming a Dramatherapist

Post Graduate Courses

There are currently five full-time post-graduate training courses in Dramatherapy in the UK that lead to a qualification approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), accredited by the British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth), and recognised by the Department of Health. There are links below to each of these.

Only successful completion of courses which have HCPC approval and BADth accreditation can lead to full membership of the British Association of Dramatherapists. To become a full BADth member, proof of registration with the HCPC is needed. Student membership is available whilst training.

Entry criteria

The entry criteria to any of the courses would normally include a Bachelor's degree in drama or a psychological health related subject or appropriate professional qualification/degree, equivalent of one years’ full time experience working (paid or voluntarily) with people with specific needs. Level 7 English proficiency is required for English second language students. If you have any queries about whether you can meet these criteria please contact the individual courses. The criteria will also be explored at interview.

Content

Each course has its own unique identity, but there are basic components common to all courses.

  • Experience and competence in a broad range of drama and theatre skills, approaches and techniques including performance work
  • Understanding and awareness of relevant psychological, psychotherapeutic and anthropological principles and practices
  • Participation in an ongoing, experiential Dramatherapy training group
  • Knowledge of related therapies such as art, music, dance/movement and play
  • Supervised Dramatherapy practice
  • Continuous assessment of experiential, practical and written work
  • Personal therapy parallel with training
  • Research skills and evidence-based practice

For the details of the level of proficiencies Dramatherapists are trained to achieve go the Health and Care Profession Council's Website at http://www.hcpc-uk.org/ and follow the links to Arts Therapies proficiencies.

Curriculum Guidance

BADth provides an essential professional advisory role to the HCPC. This curriculum guidance aims to explain the BADth guidelines for the content, delivery, and quality assurance of training programmes whose graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC.

Courses

Dramatherapy MA - Anglia Ruskin University 

Stavroulla Demetriou, Course Leader Dramatherapy MA - Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, Young Street, Cambridge, CB1 2LZ

Telephone: +44 (0)1245 493131
Email: stavroulla.demetriou@aru.ac.uk
Website: Anglia Ruskin University

Dramatherapy MA - University of Derby

Kate Smith, Programme Leader Dramatherapy MA - University of Derby, Britannia Mill, Mackworth Rd, Derby, DE22 3BL

Telephone: +44 (0)1332 594198
Email: k.smith2@derby.ac.uk
Website: University of Derby

MSc Dramatherapy - Queen Margaret University  

Stephanie Turner, Course Leader MSc Dramatherapy - Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, EH21 6UU

Telephone: +44 (0)131 474 0000
Email: sturner@qmu.ac.uk
Website: Queen Margaret University

Other dramatherapy courses:

Drama and Movement Therapy MA - Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

Richard Hougham, Programme Leader Drama and Movement Therapy MA - Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Eton Avenue, London, NW3 3HY

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7722 8183
Email: richard.hougham@cssd.ac.uk
Website: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

Dramatherapy MA - University of Roehampton

Nicole Proia, Course Convenor Dramatherapy MA - University of Roehampton, Grove House, Roehampton Lane, London, SW15 5PJ

Telephone: +44 (0)20 8392 3000
Email: nicole.proia@roehampton.ac.uk  
Website: University of Roehampton

Other dramatherapy courses:

Other courses

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Introduction to Dramatherapy (short course)

Anastasia Williams and Zoe Brooks, teaching staff Introduction to Dramatherapy - Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB 

Email: shortcourses@rsc.ac.uk
Website: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland