Family Therapy FAQs
Admissions
1. What are the group sizes*?
Foundation Course/PGCert Year 1
30 or fewer
Intermediate Course/PGCert Year 2** 30 or fewer
MSc (one intake every two years)
30 or fewer
*Teaching delivery includes lectures in year groups and tutorials in small groups (fewer than
10 in each small group)
**including students progressing directly from PGCert Year 1
2. What are the entry requirements for each programme?
Foundation Course in Systemic Practice
Applicants must have an appropriate mental health or related professional qualification
Intermediate Course in Systemic Practice
Applicants must have a qualification in mental health or related profession and have
completed a Foundation level training in Systemic Family Therapy or equivalent. They must
also be able to meet the requirements of having 60 hours of clinical work in which they can
apply systemic theory and skills.
Postgraduate Certificate in Systemic Practice
Applicants must have a qualification in mental health or related profession. They will be
expected to meet the requirement of 60 hours of clinical work in year two in which they can
apply systemic theory and skills.
MSc in Systemic Family Therapy
Applicants must have a qualification in mental health or related profession and have passed
an Intermediate level of Family Therapy or equivalent. They must be able to meet the
requirements of 200 hours of systemic practice in an agency setting.
3. Is the course suitable for me?
The programmes are aimed at health professionals (psychiatrists, clinical psychologists,
mental health nurses, registered counsellors, social workers and teachers) who are
interested in applying systemic theory to practice with families, individuals and
organisations.
4. What are the job prospects if I successfully complete the MSc Systemic Family Therapy?
The programme allows access to senior grades in the NHS and recognition as a
psychotherapist by the UK Council for Psychotherapy.
5. Why might it be more suitable for me to start with the Foundation Course rather than
Postgraduate Certificate?
Foundation Course is taken as a standalone module for one year. The course is accredited by
the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice. Successful completion of the
Foundation Course with LFTRC is counted as the first year of the 2-year Postgraduate
Certificate in Systemic Practice. If students decide to continue the 2nd year training with us,
changing from Foundation Course to Postgraduate Certificate could be easily arranged, so
that students can progress directly to year 2 if their academic performance is satisfactory.
As a standalone course, the Foundation Course also provides an exit point at the end of one
year and easy re-entry into Postgraduate Certificate programme in LFTRC if you decide to
continue the training after an interval.
In the past, students chose to take the standalone Foundation Course because of concerns
over uncertainties in terms of commitment of time and effort, funding, professional and
career development.
Students applying for Postgraduate Certificate programme without a first degree are also
advised to take Foundation Course first and subject to satisfactory performance, students
can later change programme from Foundation Course to Postgraduate Certificate and
progress to year 2.
6. Can I enter directly to Intermediate or MSc?
Usually, people start the training at the Foundation Level (year 1 of Postgraduate
Certificate). There are always a wide range of professions and clinical experience at that
level, but the assumption is that the systemic theory is new to the applicants in terms
previous exposure to systemic theory and practice.
If however, you have been in training that offers around 60 hours of systemic input, you
could use APEL to skip the Foundation level of year 1. For example Clinical Psychologists
students at the University of Leeds who have taken the systemic practice module and
attended workshops and systemic clinics in their Clinical Psychologists training are able to
start at Intermediate level of year 2.
If you would like to be considered for entry at Intermediate level of year 2, please read the
application pack of the Intermediate course, especially the documents about APEL.
7. What is APEL?
APEL is accreditation of prior experience and learning. APEL procedures are used in two
instances for some students during training:
1) APEL for applicants to the training course who do not have a first professional
qualification in mental health or social care profession
2) APEL to accredit students who have not completed a AFT Accredited Foundation Course in
Family Therapy (1st year of the four year training) but have studied Family Therapy and
Systemic Practice to a level equivalent to the Foundation Course and wish to apply to join
the Intermediate Course (2nd year of the four year training).
Please refer the APEL guideline for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice students in
University of Leeds and AFT APEL policy statement.
8. Are the programmes open for applicants from outside UK?
Yes.
Please note that applicants must be in posts where they have regular therapeutic contact
with appropriate clients. For the Intermediate Course (PGCert Year 2), students are required
to complete 60 hours of Systemic Practice during the year in their own work/placement
agency. For the MSc programme, students attend a weekly four-hour supervision clinic over
the 2 years of programme, and students must be employed and have a clinical practice
setting.
Applicants will not be able to be considered for the programme unless such practice
arrangements are secured before applying.
9. Can I take the course as a distance learning or e-learning option?
Currently, no. All our programmes are taught and attendance in Leeds is required.
10. What is the time commitment for each programme?
Foundation Level:
The course is held on approximately 20 Wednesday evenings (5pm to 8.30pm) between
September and June, plus three full days. Please follow the link for detailed information
about syllabus, teaching methods, assessment and course work.
Intermediate Level
The course is held on approximately 20 Wednesday evenings (5pm to 8.30pm) between
September and June, plus three full days. You will also be required to be able to complete 60
hours of Systemic Practice during the year in your own work/placement agency. Please
follow the link for detailed information about syllabus, teaching methods, assessment and
course work.
MSc (Qualifying level)
This is a 2 year part-time course with teaching days held over approximately 36 Wednesdays
(10:00am- 4:30pm) during the 2 academic years. In addition, students attend a weekly four
hour supervision clinic. Private study (a minimum ratio of 3:1 to teaching days). Please follow
the link for detailed module information including teaching methods and assessment.
11. When do the programmes start?
All the programmes will start on Tuesday 17 September 2013 with induction.
12. Can I start in January/February?
No. There is only one intake in September every year for the Foundation Course,
Intermediate Course and Postgraduate Certificate programmes. For the MSc Systemic Family
Therapy, there is only one intake every two years. The next intake is September 2013.
Application
1. How do I apply?
Please down load the application pack from the following webpages:
Foundation Course in Systemic Practice
Intermediate Course in Systemic Practice
Postgraduate Certificate in Systemic Practice
MSc in Systemic Family Therapy
Please download the all the application documents on the webpage and the best starting
point is the welcome letter on each webpage.
Applications must be posted to the address listed on the forms.
2. What should I do I can’t get in contact with my academic referee for reference?
Please get in touch with the admissions team as soon as possible.
In the past, applications were delayed because references couldn’t be obtained during the
summer holiday period. You could always apply early to avoid such any last minute
frustrations or delays.
3. Is there a deadline for application?
Yes, for entry in September 2013, deadline for the receipt of application for Foundation,
Intermediate Course and Postgraduate Certificate is Friday 7 June 2013.
Deadline for receipt of application for MSc is Wednesday 17 April 2013.
In some cases, there may be an extension of application period.
4. How long will it take for my application to be reviewed?
Your application is processed quickly if you submit all the required documents. We aim to let
you know the decision on your application within two weeks of receipt of a complete
application and correct supporting documents.
5. Do I need to provide University transcripts and degree certificate? What if I couldn’t find
my University degree certificate?
For the purpose of application, a copy of prior University degree or University transcripts
bearing information of the degree awarded will suffice.
If you cannot find your University degree certificate or transcripts, please contact your
university for a replacement or certified document.
You need to bring along the original or certified true copies of the documentation to be
verified when you register with the University in September.
6. Where should I post my outstanding documents/late application?
It is very important that you shall contact us first before posting your late
application/outstanding documents. You might need to post your late
application/outstanding documents directly to us (admissions of Institute of Health Sciences)
depending on when you apply and what documents are outstanding.
7. Do I need to declare spent criminal convictions?
Please make sure you have read and completed the section of “Any criminal conviction” on
the University of Leeds Application for Taught Postgraduate Study.
In general a criminal record should not be regarded as an obstacle to studying at this
University. In any event, the University will not take into account, when dealing with
existing students and selecting applicants for admission, criminal convictions which are
deemed “spent” under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 unless such
convictions are deemed as “exceptions” under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders
Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applicants to the suite of Systemic Practice and Family Therapy programmes are NOT
required to disclose spent offences.
The University of Leeds Policy Statement: students with criminal records
8. Where can I get support for filling in application forms?
Please contact the Institute Admissions team if you need help. With prior notice, one-to-one
help could be arranged in the office where the Institute Admissions team is based. Lihsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk or 0113 343 6942.
9. I have been made an offer on the course and I have accepted the offer, but now I couldn’t
secure funding, what shall I do?
Please contact the course team as soon as possible and discuss your situation. Depending on
the course and your situation, deferred entry to next year can be easily arranged and you do
not need to reapply for the course.
10. Do I have to attend an interview?
MSc applicants will be invited to an interview before a place is offered.
Applicants to other courses (ie. Foundation Course, Intermediate Course or Postgraduate
Certificate) may occasionally be invited to an interview before an admissions decision is
made.
11. What’s the interview like? How long is the interview?
An interview for MSc applicants for 2013/2015 lasts around 2 hours. Candidates are
interviewed about their personal and professional support for undertaking training, capacity
to discuss clinical practice with a systemic framework and ability to be self reflexive about
learning.
12. What are the tips for applicants?
In November 2012, new entrants were surveyed about their application experiences and
were asked to give application advice to future applicants. The top three tips are:
1. Apply early. (33%)
2. Follow instructions. (25%)
3. Contact administrative staff for help. (25%)
English language requirement
Am I required to submit English language qualifications?
If your first language is not English you will be asked to provide evidence that you have a
suitable ability in the various skills of English by obtaining the minimum requirements in a
University recognized English language qualification (IELTS overall of 7.0 with no component
lower than 6.5 OR equivalent) .
Please contact the admissions team if you have any query.
Fees and funding
1. What are the course fees?
Course fees for 2013/2014 are
Programme
Home/EU students
Overseas students
Foundation Course in Systemic Practice
£2,000
£3,600
Intermediate Course in Systemic Practice
£2,000
£3,600
Postgraduate Certificate in Systemic Practice
£2,000
£3,600
MSc in Systemic Family Therapy
£4,000
£9,600
2. Am I eligible for applying for the Strategic Health Authority (SHA) funding? How do I apply
for it?
If you work in the Yorkshire Humber NHS Strategic Training Region, you may be eligible for
funding. Psychiatrists and GPs are no longer eligible but may contact the Deanery.
If you work in a Trust which is currently offering a training supervision group (for MSc
Systemic Family Therapy trainees), you may also be eligible for funding. If you think you are
eligible for applying for the funding, please complete the SHA funding application form in
the application packs.
Funding by this route is limited and is allocated in July to applicants who have been offered a
place on the course. Please ensure that your application is received in good time if your wish
to be considered for funding.
3. If I get SHA funding for the 1st year of PGCert/MSc, will my funding for the 2nd year
guaranteed?
Bursaries offered in year one are usually are available in year two, but this is not guaranteed
and is reviewed each year.