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.

Our research

Our network of reputable researchers and music therapists, are currently leading on a diverse portfolio of music therapy research, investigating its particular application in areas.

These include:

  • Mental health
    Breakthrough research on the influence of music therapy practice for young people and adults with a range of emotional challenges and mental illness.
  • Older people, dementia and stroke
    Investigating effects of music intervention for children and adults in neuro-rehabilitation after brain injury, and for people with dementia.
  • Music and the brain
    Neuroscientific research inquiry into the impact of music therapy on cognition processes, emotion, memory and brain development.
  • Autism spectrum disorder
    Exploring the clinical value of music-focused approaches to working with children with autism spectrum disorder and their families.

The Queen's Anniversary Prize

The Queen's Anniversary Prize 2021 logo

Our world-leading music therapy work, in particular our focus on the wellbeing of people living with dementia, earned The Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2021. These prizes are the highest national honour in higher and further education. They recognise outstanding work that shows the highest levels of quality and innovation and delivers significant public benefit.