Play Therapy - MSc

Structure and exit awards

It is possible to exit with a PgCert (60 credits) after one year, a PgDip (120 credits) after two years and an MSc (180 credits) at the end of three years. You are only eligible to apply for registration with the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) and practice as a play therapist with an MSc.

Teaching, learning and assessment

The teaching and learning approaches used encourage you to be an independent, participative learner. These approaches will engage you in lectures, problem-based learning, workshops, small-group discussions, seminars, experiential groups, observation, and skills practice. The course team aims to enable students to learn from and with others through supportive peer assessment and feedback, guided by the tutor.

Assessment methods include case study analysis, collaborative presentation, developmental theory essays, observation analysis and play therapy practice placement portfolio. As a postgraduate student, you will predominantly work independently, but there is a strong structure of academic support.

Placements

You will complete three practice placements. Placements can take place in your workplace, local schools, nurseries or other agencies that offer services to children. You can set up your own placements, arrange them with support from With Kids, or With Kids can allocate a placement for you.

Please note that there are additional costs associated with placements. Please see the ‘Other fees’ section under the ‘Entry requirements’ tab for more details.

Teaching hours and attendance

The course runs over three years, part-time. You will attend the learning centre at With Kids in Glasgow one day a week over the first two years, reducing to fortnightly attendance during Year Three. In addition, you will undertake play therapy practice placement and observations, and attend clinical supervision individually or in small groups. You will be expected to attend your own personal therapy for the duration of the course, and 100% attendance is expected at all elements of the MSc Play Therapy.

Class sizes

Normally, up to 24 students take the course each year, ensuring that individuals receive excellent support and benefit from interaction with other students.

Teaching staff

You can read more about the teaching staff for this course. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

The MSc Play Therapy comprises 180 credits. All modules are core and are designed to support a clear developmental progression from foundational theory, observation and early skills practice through to advanced clinical practice and independent academic enquiry.

You will study the following modules:

Year One

• Integrative Foundations of Play Therapy 1 (30 credits): This module introduces key developmental, relational and psychodynamic theories that inform understanding of children, play and therapeutic relationships, alongside infant observation, reflective learning and the foundations of research-informed practice.
• Play Therapy: Theory, Skills and Placement 1 (30 credits): This module supports the development of early therapeutic skills, professional readiness, placement-based observation and the beginning of supervised play therapy practice.
   

Year Two

• Integrative Foundations of Play Therapy 2 (30 credits): This module deepens understanding of trauma, adverse experiences, diversity, disability, culture, society, gender, health, environment and research methods in relation to children, young people and play therapy practice.
• Play Therapy: Theory, Skills and Placement 2 (30 credits): This module develops advancing play therapy practice through placement, supervision, reflective learning, theoretical integration and collaborative work with children, families and professionals.

Year Three

• Play Therapy: Theory, Skills and Placement 3 (20 credits): This module supports advanced play therapy practice, greater professional autonomy, clinical reasoning and the integration of theory, research and supervised practice.
• Independent Academic Project (40 credits): This module enables you to undertake an in-depth, evidence-informed academic project arising from your professional or academic interests and contributing to the development of play therapy practice.

The opportunities for employment as a play therapist continue to develop rapidly. Some play therapists work within a range of statutory, government funded or voluntary and independent organisations – for example, within fostering and adoption services, schools and children’s centres, in hospitals, hospices or community contexts as well as child and adolescent mental health services, social work and other social services teams.

A number are employed directly by children’s charities and private children’s residential homes. Many play therapists also work independently in private practice or are commissioned by agencies to provide services for specific groups of children. A small number of play therapists in the UK work as academics, teachers and clinical supervisors.

For further information, visit The British Association of Play Therapists website.

Entry requirements

To apply, you should normally have a UK degree, or equivalent, in a related discipline such as health, education, social work or psychology, together with at least two years’ post-qualifying experience working with children, young people and/or families.

Applicants who do not hold a degree may be considered if they can demonstrate at least five years’ relevant experience working directly with children, young people and/or families. Applicants applying through this non-standard route will also be asked to write a short essay to assess readiness for postgraduate-level study.
This course is only open to applicants who do not require a Student Visa.

Interview

Selection is normally through a Creative Conversation. This relational admissions approach invites applicants to discuss their experience with children and families, their understanding of play, and their developing therapeutic identity.

Other requirements

A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, a self-declaration of fitness to practice, student membership of BAPT (British Association of Play Therapists) and personal indemnity insurance are required.

Fees

For fees information please contact With Kids.

• Personal Therapy: 60 sessions required over 3 years (£40-£60 per session)
• Play Therapy Kit: If necessary, you’ll assemble your own cost-effective kit with guidance.
• BAPT Membership: Required; currently £38 per year. 
• Professional Indemnity Insurance: Required; typically £40–£60 per year.
• PVG or DBS check: Required for all students; currently £18 for an update or £59 if you don’t already hold a PVG.

Other information

• The cost of the PVG check and the cost of professional indemnity insurance is the responsibility of the student. 
• The additional costs associated with placement travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the student. 

Applying for this course

Applications should be made to With Kids directly.

Application deadline

None

Contact With Kids

More information about our forthcoming open events.

• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2027/28 Entry - Terms and Conditions (Postgraduate).
• The information on this page is correct at the time of posting (October 2026) but is subject to change. In the event that modules change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on students. Please keep an eye on this page for updates.