Writtle University College and ARU have merged. Writtle’s full range of college, degree, postgraduate and short courses will still be delivered on the Writtle campus. See our guide to finding Writtle information on this site.

Family Therapy and Systemic Practice PG Cert

Postgraduate (2 years part-time)

September

Overview

If you’re committed to a career as a qualified systemic psychotherapist, this postgraduate certificate is your first step. Study flexibly over two years in Huntingdon, around your work commitments. Our course is also for any professional who wants to develop skills in working systemically with individuals, couples and families.

Full description

Careers

By successfully completing your PG Cert you’ll be able to continue your studies to the completion of your MSc, which will then allow you to register as a family and systemic psychotherapist. You’ll also be able to refer to yourself as a systemic practitioner, which will be a significant addition to your professional portfolio.

Links with industry and professional recognition

Our course is carried out at a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, and we have strong links with the local mental health trust, allowing you to come into contact with a wide range of professionals already working in family psychotherapy.

Modules & assessment

Core modules

  • This module can be completed as a standalone CPD module. Learn the systemic approach to relationships and how they relate to people’s actions and communications. Develop different perspectives and new approaches to your work as a professional working with families, couples and individuals. Gain a level of professional accreditation, and potentially start on the road to becoming a qualified family therapist.
  • This module is Year 2 of the PGCert. The module aims are to enable you to further explore and develop your understanding of systemic ideas and techniques, utilising a broad range of seminal and current literature relating to family therapy and systemic practice. It will facilitate your application of systemic ideas and beliefs to your current workplace, to a standard that will enhance your practice. This standard will be at Master's level. This will form the basis for pursuing future qualification as a family therapist, should you so wish.

Assessment

You will complete the core modules detailed above. This course does not have any optional modules. Modules are subject to change and availability.

You’ll be assessed in a range of ways to determine your expertise as an advanced reflective practitioner, including case and paper presentations to peers, a reflective portfolio, a case study and, at the end of the second module, a presentation to peers on a systemic concept of your choice and its application to practice. Assessment is on-going throughout the course and small group learning develops your skills with formative and informal feedback available on an ongoing basis. 

Where you'll study

Your faculty

The Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care at ARU is primed to meet the demand for healthcare professionals, doctors, scientists and social workers in the East of England.

We've been training undergraduates for professional roles for over 25 years, with a reputation for quality, dedication and ambition balanced with student satisfaction.

We know that our students want the very best experiential learning, and we've invested heavily in purpose-built simulated wards, science labs and skills spaces, to support your learning every step of the way.

Where can I study?

Fees & funding

Course fees

UK students starting 2023/24 (part-time, Year 1)

£2,312.50

UK students starting 2023/24 (part-time, Year 2)

£1,667

Important fee notes

The part-time course fee assumes that you're studying at half the rate of a full-time student (50% intensity). Course fees will be different if you study over a longer period. All fees are for guidance purposes only.

How do I pay my fees?

UK students

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in instalments – though you won't need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. Find out more about paying your fees.

Funding for postgraduate students

It’s important to decide how to fund your course before applying. Find out about:

Entry requirements

Loading... Entry requirements are not currently available, please try again later.

The minimum qualification required for admission to a postgraduate course is one of the following:

  • A UK Honours degree
  • An academic or professional qualification approved by the Senate (or a committee acting on its behalf) as equivalent in breadth and depth to a UK Honours Degree.

In order to maximise access to training in systemic practice, entry requirement for foundation level (Level 6 module) are kept to a minimum by the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice. Students should have:

  • A relevant professional training or equivalent (these may include nursing, psychology, social work, psychiatry and other medical specialties, teaching, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, counselling, and dance, drama or music therapy.) (See AFT guidance - pages 6 and 9 of this PDF.)
  • For entry to Module 1 (year1), students will need the opportunity to apply systemic ideas to the current work setting
  • For entry into Module 2 (year2) students must have the opportunity to complete at least 60 hours of systemic practice in the twelve months leading to the end of the course
  • For entry into Module 2 (year 2) students must have successfully completed module 1, or an AFT accredited Foundation level training elsewhere within the last 5 years , or to have had formal training in systemic ideas as part of training for professional registration (eg. during psychology training courses). For those completing an AFT accredited Foundation course earlier than in the last five years, they must be able to provide evidence of continued learning and practice in systemic ideas.

Selection process

Applicants complete the standard Anglia Ruskin application form. Member(s) of the course team on the basis of the student application form, references and interview if appropriate, will determine entry to the course. Students will need two references, one of which should comment on the applicant’s professional practice. This is to comply with the AFT requirements.

Admission to the course with Non-Traditional entry

Non-graduates with extensive relevant practical and continuing professional development experience, either on its own or taken in combination with other qualifications, deemed by the Senate, (or a committee acting on its behalf) as evidence that an applicant possesses the appropriate knowledge and skills equivalent to an Honours Degree.

For students just wishing to do Year 1, substantial experience in caring may also be considered (eg child and family workers, foster carers)

Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements.

Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course; please email [email protected] for further information. Applicants to undergraduate courses can also check our information about undergraduate entry qualifications.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your course.

Get more information

UK applicants

01245 686868

Enquire online