Program Overview

Creative Expressive Arts and Health Practice MArts (Hons)

Overview

This innovative course teaches you how to use the arts as a tool to work with others in a positive and therapeutic way. You'll develop your skills in the applied arts as an Arts & Health Practitioner, and gain exciting practical experience through work-based learning and placements with our partner organisations in the community.

Study Options

• Full-time: 4 years
• Part-time: 7 years

Fees

• UK fee: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International fee: £16,900 per year (2025/26)

UCAS Points

• 112-120 (September 2024 entry)

UCAS Code

• W193

Start Date

• September

Location

• Kedleston Road and Britannia Mill, Derby Campus

Course Description

This course will give you the opportunity to develop a range of specific and transferable skills that are applicable in a wide range of settings where you will work with people using the arts; or in contexts where engaging with people is a focus; whether this is in employment or further study. You will learn with and from tutors who are experienced practitioners and researchers in the field; as well as our community partners, who will offer a real-world experience, helping you to develop your employability.

What You Will Study

You'll study modules such as:

Stage One

• The Healthy Practitioner
• Human Development and Play
• Working Creatively with Groups
• Arts, Culture and Wellbeing
• The Creative Self

Stage Two

• The Developing Practitioner
• Concept of Self
• Arts for Health
• Arts for Health Research Methods
• Group Work with Diverse Population

Stage Three

• Groupwork in Community Placement
• The Emerging Practitioner
• The Professional Self
• Creative Mentoring and Reflective Practice
• Researching, Monitoring and Evaluating Practice

Stage Four

• Advanced Arts and Health Practice
• The Professional Practitioner
• Arts and Health Independent Scholarship

How You Will Learn

The course balances classroom-based theory with practical sessions involving studio, performance and exhibition work. The focus is on developing your transferable skills so that you can adapt to varied and changing circumstances.

How You Are Assessed

You'll be assessed in many ways to help you develop a compelling variety of skills. These include essays, exhibitions, performances, reflective journals and diaries, videos and production projects.

Who You Will Meet

You'll learn from highly experienced teachers who are committed to your success. All specialists in their field, they include active researchers, authors and industry practitioners with outstanding professional networks.

Careers

You'll develop transferable skills which enable you to work creatively with people in a range of different settings, drawing on your knowledge of art, dance, drama or music.

Entry Requirements

2024 Entry

• UCAS points: 112-120
• A Level: BBB-BBC (No subject specific requirements at A-level or equivalent, however applicants need to demonstrate proficiency in the arts)
• T Level: Merit
• BTEC: DMM
• GCSE: At least five GCSEs (or equivalent) including English at grade 4/C or above
• Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6
• English language requirements: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Additional Entry Requirements

• Portfolio: Recommended
• An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service certificate cleared by the University is required for this course.

Fees and Funding

2025/26

• UK: £9,535 per year (full-time), £1,190 per 20 credit module (part-time)
• International: £16,900 per year (full-time), N/A (part-time)

Additional Costs and Optional Extras

• Essential equipment for all practical workshops (e.g art materials and tools, musical instruments and drama props)
• DBS check
• The programme uses Adobe Creative Suite which is installed on all Macs in MS102 and MS012 at Markeaton Street and students are provided with an individual Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for home use
• To support their professional and skills development, students are provided with a subscription to LinkedIn Learning which offers over 13,000 courses and tutorials, including professional accreditations, in a wide range of creative, business & technology disciplines
• Mandatory costs not included in your fees:
  • Students may purchase additional resources for placement activities, dependent on the nature of what they choose to deliver
  • Students will need their own waterproofs, wellies etc for the environmental sculpture event
  • Students may wish to purchase specific props and/or outfits for performances
  • Art materials beyond those supplied for specialist teaching e.g. large volumes of clay, large canvases and specialist paint/brushes, textiles/fabrics - especially for final year work
  • Students are expected to fund-raise to finance the production of the booklet supporting their final exhibition or performance, and refreshments for the opening evening
  • Students with specialist musical instruments beyond those available in the University
• Optional costs not included in your fees:
  • Students may opt to engage in international trips and activities that are not fully funded, though bursaries may be available
  • Optional outings and trips will also require self-funding