MSc Psychological Therapies Practice
and Research (Systemic Therapy)
| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years part time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Typical offer | An undergraduate degree, or a previous qualification at an equivalent level. |
|---|---|
Why study MSc Psychological Therapies Practice
and Research (Systemic Therapy) at Exeter?
- Our programme is designed to give the knowledge, skills and clinical experience you need to become an independent family and systemic psychotherapist. If you meet all requirements, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Association for Family and Systemic Psychotherapy (AFSP) as a family/systemic psychotherapist with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
- You will learn how to understand and apply psychological therapeutic practice, both in general and within your chosen modality. This includes developing an understanding of how different therapeutic approaches relate to one another
- The course combines academic learning with clinical practice, giving you a strong foundation in theory and hands on clinical experience to become an effective family and systemic psychotherapist
Clinical Education Development and Research (CEDAR)
Contact
Programme administrator: Katrina Choi
Email: admin-systemicstudies@exeter.ac.uk
Phone: +44 1392 724644
This programme is delivered by Clinical Education, Development and Research (CEDAR): an applied psychological practice centre of excellence, focussed on training the new psychological therapies workforce of the future.
Competency-based training, delivered according to the latest evidence-informed clinical teaching approaches
Dedicated training facilities equipped with video and audio recording
A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development
CEDAR is 1st in the sector for student satisfaction in three out of seven themes
National Student Survey 2025
Entry requirements
This programme will cover core and advanced theories and skills, and will not be taught at a basic or introductory level. It is intended for trainees who have such basic knowledge and skills who wish to become more specialised or advanced practitioners and or researchers.
Successful applicants to the course will need to have met the following criteria:
1. Preliminary training in systemic practice.
Normally this would mean at least a year’s preliminary formal systemic psychotherapy training (successful completion of a foundation and intermediate course or equivalent).
2. Clinical experience using a systemic approach.
Normally this would mean an intermediate level course that includes a minimum of 60 hours of supervised practice. Applications will be considered from those who have not completed a formal intermediate level training but who can provide evidence of appropriate clinical and educational experience.
3. An undergraduate degree, or a previous qualification at an equivalent level.
This is required by the University of Exeter for enrolment in a postgraduate programme and is important to ensure capacity to complete academic course work, most of which will be done through self-directed assignments.
4. A recognised qualification in a profession involving the care of people with mental health problems.
A qualifications such as Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Mental Health Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Counselling (with membership of BAC). The programme will assume basic knowledge of topics such as the diagnosis of mental health problems, ethical practice and the trainee's capacity to observe basic ethical, safety and reporting procedures in carrying out a course of therapy.
5. Normally the applicant will also be working in settings in which they can be working systemically with clients.
Trainees must have the approval of their manager in releasing them from some of their normal duties for the duration of the Programme.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
Course content
Anti-Oppressive Practice
We believe that the client’s difficulties must be understood within the wider context of social justice, oppression and inequality. Antioppressive practice is therefore central to the MSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research (Systemic Therapy) programme.
Our teaching includes:
- Social GGRRAAACCEEESSS (Burnham, 2012)
- Intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1991)
- Social location (PettyJohn et al., 2020)
- Valuing multiple forms of knowledge and lived experience
Placements - Clinical Practice Close to Home
Clinical practice is a key part of the MSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research (Systemic Therapy) programme. In line with the requirements of the Association for Family and Systemic Psychotherapy (AFSP), students will be supported to apply their learning in real-world settings throughout both years of the course.
There are two main forms of clinical practice outside of our teaching days:
- Placements: 300 hours (a minimum of 3.5 hours per week), including a minimum of 40 hours as lead therapist
- Parallel hours (usually in the student’s workplace): 200 hours (arranged by the student)
We aim to arrange placements as close to students’ homes as possible, and often within the student’s employing NHS trust (in a different team where possible to support learning).
We have established placement networks across the South West, London, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, South Wales and the Midlands. For students outside these areas, we work with professional networks to identify suitable placement opportunities.
Placements typically involve:
- Working in training clinics with other students, where possible
- Year‑round clinical work, including holiday periods (typical annual leave arrangements will apply)
- A CAMHS placement in Year 1 and an adult services placement in Year 2 (where possible)
- At least 20 lead therapist hours per year (most students exceed this)
- Video‑recording sessions to support learning
- Regular supervision from a qualified systemic psychotherapist
- Termly meetings between the student, tutor and supervisor
If you are a prospective or existing placement supervisor, you can find out more information about placements below.
Information for Placement Supervisors.
Parallel Hours
To further develop their systemic clinical practice, our students must complete 200 hours (100 hours per year) of parallel practice.
This can include:
- Clinical hours with two or more family members (primarily) or individuals
- Arranging and supporting network meetings
- Delivering systemic CPD training to other professionals
Parallel hours must be supervised by an accredited systemic psychotherapist. If this is not available in the workplace, students will need to arrange private supervision.
Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.
75 credits of compulsory modules.
75 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PYCM015 | Family Therapy and the Family of Therapies | 15 |
| PYCM051 | Psychological Therapies Research Methods | 15 |
| PYCM052 | Evidenced-Based Practice and Practice-Based Evidence in Family Therapy | 15 |
| PYCM053 | Key Concepts and Skills in Systemic/Family Therapy Practice | 15 |
| PYCM054 | Systemic Clinical Practice: Part 1 | 15 |
Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.
105 credits of compulsory modules.
105 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PYCM001 | Psychological Therapies Research Project | 60 |
| PYCM055 | Systemic Clinical Practice: Part 2 | 15 |
| PYCM056 | Issues in Contemporary Family Therapy Practice | 15 |
| PYCM057 | Couple Therapy | 15 |
How to apply
Before applying
If you have any questions, we welcome you to join one of our open days (typically online). These are a chance for you to ask any questions you may have and hear about our programme in more detail. To book your place or ask any questions outside of our open days, you can contact our team at admin-systemicstudies@exeter.ac.uk.
Open days 2026
Online: Tuesday 10 March 2026, 13:30 - 15:30
Online: Thursday 19 March 2026, 10:00 - 12:30
To book a place at one of the open days, or for any other queries, please contact admin-systemicstudies@exeter.ac.uk.
Complete an application form
To apply, please download and complete the Systemic Application Form (.docx) and return this to the Programme Administrator at admin-systemicstudies@exeter.ac.uk. The closing date for applications is 23 April 2026.
We reserve the right to close this process if we receive large numbers of applications. If this occurs, then you can continue to apply and we will put your application on a reserve list.
Fees
Home/EU students
This course is funded by NHS England, so fees are not typically payable by candidates.
The fee for self-funded places for 2026 is £8,400.
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer the University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship worth 20% of the cost of your first year tuition fees.
Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply.
I believe using a systemic framework can help us tackle some of the difficulties we face generally. Almost all the young people I work with are responding appropriately and understandably to incredibly difficult life circumstances. We need to contextualise mental health, within both the family and wider society.
Hannah Sherbersky
Co-director of Systemic Portfolio, Senior Lecturer, Researcher and Systemic Psychotherapist/Academic Lead for MSc PTPR Systemic Therapy
Teaching and research
Tutors and tutor groups
Each student is assigned a personal tutor who supports their personal and professional development throughout the course.
- Tutor groups are made up of up to 8 students
- In these groups, we support students to build relationships and a sense of safety, allowing a supportive and personalised learning environment
- Groups focus on connection, reflective practice and — as training progresses — video review and skills development
- Students meet with their tutor one-to-one each term, with further meetings available if needed
- Meetings may include the student’s placement supervisor to ensure coordinated support
- Tutors can help students access University wellbeing services if needed
Therapeutic consultations
As part of our commitment to developing the ‘self of the therapist’, students are required to take part in their own family therapy. This supports students to deepen their understanding of the client’s experience.
This helps students to explore:
- What it feels like to find a therapist
- How circular questions feel from a client perspective
- How it feels when others speak about you
- How safety and trust develop
- How families prepare for and reflect on sessions
These are all things you can best understand by experiencing therapy as a client.
This is an essential course requirement for all students. However, it is neither ethical nor practical for us to insist that family members attend. A timetabled session early in the course offers an opportunity for students to consider the practical and emotional challenges involved in participating in this aspect of the training.
Developing your skills
We draw on the ‘deliberate practice’ model (the work of Tony Rousmaniere, Adrian Blow and others). Using this, we will support students to
- Identify potential areas for growth
- Practice skills and receive immediate expert feedback, before continuing to hone these skills
- Reflect on their ‘self of the therapist’
- Use client feedback to guide their development
Therapy models and evidence-based practice
We believe that understanding and building on the strong evidence base for family and systemic psychotherapy is key to its effective use and development. This approach helps maintain the profession’s important role in the UK health and social care system.
As such, we teach students to build a positive, healthy and critical relationship with research, evidence, therapy models and manuals.
Models we focus on include:
- Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (FT-AN)
- Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT)
- Family Interventions for Psychosis and Bipolar Experiences (FIP)
- Open Dialogue
- A range of couple therapy models, including the Exeter Model for adult depression, Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method
