Introduction
Qualify to work as a music therapist in the UK and overseas on this accredited Masters degree in music therapy. Study in a centre of world-leading research and gain experience on clinical placements.
ARU Music Therapy Impact
ARU's Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research (CIMTR) has had a major impact both nationally and internationally, training over 400 music therapists, informing NICE guidelines for people with dementia, and running and collaborating on projects such as Together in Sound and Homeside. In 2021 it was awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize.
Our Masters degree is the longest established MA Music Therapy course in the UK, and is taught at the internationally renowned Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research. We earned the Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2021 for our music therapy research, receiving particular recognition for our focus on the wellbeing of people living with dementia.
We welcome applications from practising with appropriate clinical experience, who would like to use music to support the health and wellbeing of patients and clients.
Supported by experts, you’ll gain a strong foundation in the principles and practice of music therapy, underpinned by the latest research and evidence base.
Our MA Music Therapy is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council, so when you graduate you’ll be eligible to register with the HCPC – a legal requirement for your future career as a practising music therapist in the UK.
ARU has been recognised ranked first in the UK and 20th in the world for health and wellbeing in the 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.
100% overall satisfaction: our course received the highest possible score for student satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2022 (fewer than 20 respondents).
Course options
Key facts
Entry requirements
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Fees and paying for university
Facilities and showcase
Specialist facilities and support
As a postgraduate Music Therapy student at ARU you’ll:
- work in our purpose-built therapy centre, used for professional therapy consultations
- get support from our team of renowned music therapists
- learn from experts about the implications of the latest neuroscience research on therapy practice
- find out about our world-leading research work, including international projects such as Homeside.
Hands-on learning
There’s nothing like first-hand experience. Here at ARU, you’ll take part in clinical placements under the supervision of qualified therapists. Placements vary, and you could find yourself working in community settings, schools, hospitals or hospices. It’s great preparation for your future career.
Take a closer look
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Meanwhile, Present is an exhibition that you curate for yourself. Explore the work of our graduating students in this eye-catching virtual degree show.
Accreditation
Health & Care Professions Council
Our MA Music Therapy is accredited by the Health & Care Professions Council, allowing you to register with the HCPC when you graduate and work as a professional music therapist.
Lecturers
Claire Molyneux
Course Leader, MA Music Therapy and MA Dramatherapy; Lead for Music Therapy
Helen Odell-Miller
Professor of Music Therapy
Jorg Fachner
Professor of Music, Health and the Brain; Visiting Professor at IMC Krems, Austria
Amelia Oldfield
Emeritus Professor of Music Therapy
Jodie Bloska
Clinical Research Fellow
Clemens Maidhof
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Music Therapy
Alex Street
Senior research fellow, Music for Health Research Centre; Music and Performing Arts
Jonathan W Pool
Senior Research Fellow
Ming Hung Hsu
Senior Research Fellow
Stavroulla Demetriou
Lead, MA Dramatherapy; Lecturer, MA Dramatherapy and MA Music Therapy
Careers
When you graduate, you will be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council. Registration is a legal requirement for practising music therapists in the UK and valued increasingly in other countries.
As a qualified music therapist you’ll be able to work in the NHS, hospices, social services, education and the voluntary sector. You can also work privately or as a freelance with clients including adults and children with learning difficulties, mental health needs, or with communities such as refugees or the homeless.
ARU’s links with the British Association for Music Therapy and our International Research Consortium will help you make contacts and gain employment and research opportunities.
Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You could choose to continue your academic career with a research programme at ARU, such as our PhD Music Therapy or PhD Dramatherapy. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and save £400 on your fees.
Caterina
"Being in my first year, I wouldn't have gone out of my way to do this if not for the placement, just because of the worries of the challenges you might find and the lack of confidence that you have. So doing this has given me a lot more confidence to work with adults in the future."
CaterinaMusic Therapy student
Read about Caterina's placement at Hollanden Park HospitalWant to talk to someone?
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We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.
The Queen's Anniversary Prize for our music therapy research
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.
Find out more about the Queen's Anniversary prizeLife in Cambridge
Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
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