Course description

Learn how to use the arts as a tool to work with others in a positive and therapeutic way on this innovative course.

• Develop your skills in the applied arts as an Arts & Health Practitioner
• Develop professional and personal skills for fulfilling careers in a wide range of arts, health, social care, and educational settings
• Gain exciting practical experience through work-based learning and placements with our partner organisations in the community.

The course will give you the opportunity to develop a range of specific and transferable skills that are applicable in a wide range of settings where you will work with people using the arts; or in contexts where engaging with people is a focus; whether this is in employment or further study. You will learn with and from tutors who are experienced practitioners and researchers in the field; as well as our community partners, who will offer a real-world experience, helping you to develop your employability.

How you will learn

The course balances classroom-based theory with practical sessions involving studio, performance and exhibition work. The focus is on developing your transferable skills so that you can adapt to varied and changing circumstances.

Our diverse range of teaching and learning strategies are all intended to support you as a learner in developing your skills and understanding of the potential of the arts and creativity in promoting human lifelong development, health and wellbeing. Additionally, these approaches encourage you to refine and further develop your expertise as an artist, whilst applying and offering critical consideration of relevant theories.

The taught components of the curriculum are designed to allow you to take responsibility for your own learning; with self-awareness and reflection as central to your development. You are invited to participate in a range of learning activities that help you to develop your academic and practical skills, which you will then apply in a real-world context, working in community settings in placements. You are encouraged throughout to recognise and promote your skills and strengths, as well as exploring areas that you wish to develop. A diverse range of activities is on offer, to enable you in developing the wide range of skills, knowledge and understanding that you will need in order to adapt to the changing landscape of practice.

Throughout the course, you have access to guidance and advice from a personal tutor and will also benefit from academic skills sessions.

How you are assessed

You’ll be assessed in many ways to help you develop a compelling variety of skills. These include essays, exhibitions, performances, reflective journals and diaries, videos and production projects.

We support you to view assessment as an additional learning opportunity, with assessments that are selected to reflect real-world practice.

Who you will meet

You'll learn from highly experienced teachers who are committed to your success. All specialists in their field, they include active researchers, authors and industry practitioners with outstanding professional networks. We pride ourselves on offering a supportive and engaging learning environment.

The team includes Dave Home ([email protected])

The team also includes Keziah Smith, a qualified Art Psychotherapist who lectures on the MA Art Therapy and BA (Hons) Creative Expressive Arts, Health and Wellbeing programmes. Keziah has worked in a variety of settings including for the NHS within CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) and within specialist residential services with young people who have experienced significant trauma and those that care for them. More recently Keziah has set up mental health support within schools, working therapeutically with both young people and school based staff, as well as providing training, consultation and supervision.