MA in Music Therapy

Contact: music.therapy@gsmd.ac.uk

This course leads to the MA in Music Therapy validated by City University, London, and approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC).

This two-year programme aims to realise the full potential of students' individual musicianship and equip them with the clinical therapeutic knowledge and skills to qualify and work as registered music therapists. Students gain clinical experience with adults and children in a variety of settings including:

  • Psychiatry
  • Special education
  • Learning disability
  • Communication disorders

It prepares students for employment in health, education, social and community service and the voluntary sector. Graduates from the programme are eligible for HPC Registration and full membership of the professional association (APMT).

The programme is influenced by psycho-dynamic approaches to therapy and all music therapy students are required to have their own personal therapy during training. The cost of these personal therapy sessions are not included in the price of programme and must be covered separately by the student. Experience of personal psychotherapy prior to training is highly recommended.

'The Guildhall is an exciting and dynamic place to study. As a music therapy student, I've been introduced to everything from movement classes and psychology lectures to work placements in all manner of settings.'
Rebecca Arnold, MA Music Therapy

Entrance Requirements

Entry to this training demands a high standard of musicianship (see below under Musical Audition), a mature personality compatible with training as a therapist, and graduate level academic skills. The programme contains substantial academic components. Applicants are therefore expected to have completed an honours degree. Music is the most common subject, although applications from graduates in other subjects are welcome.

Visit our How To Apply page for details of closing dates and online applications.

Age for Entry to the Course

In general, candidates in their mid-twenties and above are preferred. Applications from mature students should demonstrate experience of a period of paid or voluntary work outside of full-time education. Experience of working with those who have a physical or learning difficulty would be highly beneficial.

Musical Audition

At the audition, candidates are expected to demonstrate a high standard in their Principal Study (usually diploma level). The department is particularly interested in sensitive and expressive musical communication, and the potential to develop improvisational skills, alongside technical skill. Keyboard skills will also be tested. Second study and keyboard skills must be of minimum grade 5 standard.

To be prepared by the candidate:

(i) two contrasting pieces on principal study instrument. (At least one must be drawn from the 18th-20th Century classical repertoire.)
(ii) a piece on the second study
(iii) a short, simple piece for unaccompanied voice, such as a folk song (ideally from memory)

Unseen - Presented to the candidate at the audition:

(iv) some simple sight-singing (and, if deemed necessary, keyboard sight reading)
(v) free improvisation
(vi) simple keyboard harmony
(vii) interactive improvisation with a member of the panel and exercises to assess listening skills and flexible musicianship

No candidate can enter the programme if he/she fails to satisfy the audition panel on purely musical grounds. Those who pass the musical audition proceed to the interview.

Interview

This will take place on a later date after the audition and is divided into three parts. The two individual interviews are with

a) the Head of Music Therapy and

b) a qualified, experienced psychotherapist, external to the music therapy programme, who helps to assess the applicant's personal readiness to undertake training.

Occasionally, further interviews with the Head of Music Therapy are deemed necessary before making a final decision.

In these interviews, applicants will discuss their musical and family background, their motivation to work as a therapist, their mental and physical health, their background reading and their observation of music therapy or voluntary work in relevant areas. Importance is placed on each candidate's perception of the personal qualities needed to work as a therapist, including the capacity for personal self-assessment and the ability to communicate openly about their feelings. Emphasis is placed on the ability to think independently and creatively and the ability to be articulate. As the programme requires extensive reading and private study, there should be evidence of intellectual stamina and a clear grasp of English. Speakers of languages other than English are also required to have achieved a minimum OBS of 7 in the IELTS.

The other part of the interview involves participation in a group run by one of the department's experiential group leaders. This session gives an opportunity to assess applicants' patterns of relating in peer groups and also provides a helpful opportunity to reflect on a challenging process.

All successful candidates will be subject to a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure Application Form and health check.

Candidates from outside Europe submit, as a preliminary application, audio taped performance on principal and second studies (items i & ii of the Musical Audition detailed above) with personal written statements about their life, career and motivation to train as a therapist. If these are acceptable, the candidate will be asked to attend for a live audition and interview in London.

Professional Development Courses

The Music Therapy Department also runs professional development courses. These courses are designed to meet the professional needs of music therapists. They may also be of interest to other Arts Therapists. These courses are announced on this page each spring.

Michelle Corbin

'The Guildhall offers the highest calibre of academic and practical teaching. I have the opportunity to benefit from the professional expertise of practising music therapists and benefit from opportunities to observe and work with music therapists in clinical settings.'
Michelle Corbin, Music Therapy