Keen to use the arts in a positive and therapeutic way with others? Achieve your ambitions by studying on this innovative four year course which includes a foundation year.
- Our foundation year provides you with a firm grounding in the skills and knowledge you need and introduces you to the subject area; enabling you to achieve your honours degree in four years.
- Gain exciting practical experience through completing work placements with our partner organisations
- Advance to one of our acclaimed masters degrees if you would like to register and go into practice as an arts therapist
- The Foundation Year course leads on to the full Creative Expressive Therapies degree.
If the arts have played a vital role in your own personal development, why not harness your creativity to make a difference in other peoples’ lives? Our pioneering BA (Hons) Creative Expressive Therapies with Foundation Year shows you how.
Beginning with a foundation year
Starting at foundation level is ideal if it has been a while since you were in formal education; are planning a career change; would benefit from a more gradual introduction to university level study; or do not meet the entry requirements to join our three-year honours degree directly.
It gives you an insight into the therapeutic arts and working with people, as well as supporting you to develop the skills you need to achieve your goals.
On completion of the Foundation Year you will then commence study on the full Creative Expressive Therapies degree, more information on this can be found on the following page.
You’ll study a selection of modules such as:
Foundation Year
- Study Skills
- Arts and Health
- Communication Skills
- Working in Health and Social Care
- Work-Based Learning
- Anti-Discriminatory Practice
- Fundamentals of Public Health
If you don’t have either English or Maths GCSE, you will need to substitute one or two of the above for a module in English and/or Maths.
Please see our BSc (hons) Creative Expressive Therapies page for more information.
From day one you’ll get all the benefits of being a University of Derby student, plus extra support to help you build your knowledge, skills and confidence.
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
During your foundation year you will be assessed mainly by coursework, and with some in-class tests.
For the remainder of your studies 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.
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.
Who you will meet
Dr James Williams
James is the Programme Leader for this programme, and Senior Lecturer in Therapeutic Arts (Music) teaching composition, improvisation and performance. James studied music at the University of Bristol and at the University of Edinburgh before moving to the University of Wolverhampton to read for a PhD funded by a Dean's doctoral scholarship award. His research interests focus on an anthropology of music, investigating the behavioural, social, creative and collaborative processes behind music-making. His research rests on ethnomusicological methodologies and socio-cultural modes of music analysis, exploring notational, improvisational, and electronic/electroacoustic technological practices in music. James's post-doctoral research explores digital musicology and ethnographies of online music-based social media. Themes include virals, memes, politics and online behaviour/culture.
Dr Clive Holmwood
Our Admissions Tutor is a registered dramatherapist who has worked in a broad range of clinical and non-clinical settings. Clive is an active researcher who publishes widely, most recently as co-editor of The International Handbook of Dramatherapy and as author of Drama Education and Dramatherapy: the space between disciplines based on his doctoral research.
September 2019 typical entry requirements
| UCAS points | 72 (up to 16 from AS-levels) |
| Specific requirements at A-level | N/A |
| Specific requirements at GCSE | GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at L2 as part of your course of study. |
| Interview / Audition | Yes - see interview details |
| Portfolio | N/A |
Alternative entry qualifications:
- BTEC - MPP
- Pass Access to HE Diploma 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2.
We usually consider an A-level in General Studies as a supplementary qualification. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.
An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service certificate cleared by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this once you have applied. More information.
Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.
Graduates from our full BA (hons) Creative Expressive Therapies degree have gone on to work in community arts, voluntary organisations, health, education and the corporate sector. Some have set up their own businesses.
You could also continue to postgraduate studies if you have ambitions to become an arts therapist, social worker or teacher.
Opportunities for further study
If you would like to register and practice as an arts therapist, we offer exciting masters-level courses to help you achieve your ambitions. With Music Therapy joining our portfolio in 2017, we believe we are the only university in the country to offer such a comprehensive range of postgraduate courses in this field.
You can consider:
Ongoing careers support
Our Careers and Employment Service will provide you with help, guidance and support from day one of your course – and for up to three years after you’ve completed your studies.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Download programme specification
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, state-of-the-art facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
Included in your fees
- Essential equipment for all practical workshops (e.g art materials and tools, musical instruments, drama props)
- DBS Check approx £50
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- Students may purchase additional resources for placement activities dependent on the nature of what they choose to deliver
- Students will need their own waterproofs, wellies etc for the environmental sculpture event
- Students may wish to purchase specific props and/or outfits for performances
- Art materials beyond those supplied for specialist teaching e.g. large volumes of clay, large canvases and specialist paint/brushes, textiles/fabrics - especially for final year work
- Students are expended to fund-raise to finance the production of the booklet supporting their final exhibition or performance, and refreshments for the opening evening
- Students with specialist musical instruments beyond those available in the University will need to bring their own instruments
Optional costs not included in your fees
- Option to purchase personal copies of textbooks
- Students may opt to engage in international trips and activities that are not fully funded, though bursaries may be available
- Optional outings and trips will also require self-funding
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
