Systemic practice and family therapy helps people in close relationships to better understand and support each other. It enables individuals and family members to express and explore difficult thoughts and emotions safely, understand each other’s experiences and views, appreciate each other’s needs, build on family strengths, and work together to make useful changes in their relationships and their lives.
Systemic family therapy has been found to be effective across the life course in helping children, young people, adults, couples and families struggling with a broad range of difficulties and circumstances.
Systemic Practitioners and Family and Systemic Psychotherapists work in many health and social care settings such as children’s services, older people’s services, physical health and disability, substance misuse, justice and mental health services.
Our multidisciplinary Systemic Practice and Family Therapy programmes are suitable for professionally qualified staff who wish to enhance their skills of working with families, couples, individuals, other systems and relationship networks.
There are three levels of systemic practice clinical training: Foundation (PG Certificate), Intermediate (PG Diploma) and Qualifying (MSc Systemic Psychotherapy).
This MSc in Systemic Psychotherapy is designed for those who have completed Intermediate level training and who wish to qualify as a Systemic Family Psychotherapist and achieve full registration as a Family and Systemic Psychotherapist with the UK Council for Psychotherapy.
Please note that this course is not eligible for a Tier 4 visa.
Please note: intake for this programme is every two years, with September 2026 being the next intake.
Closing date for applications: Monday 21st May 2026 at 4 pm. Late applications may be considered.
The Systemic Practice and Family Therapy programmes provide knowledge and skills which are highly valued in both child and adult services across health and social care.
Systemic Psychotherapy highlights
Professional Accreditations
This programme is accredited at ‘Qualification’ level by the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK (AFT), a member organisation of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). The course is recognised by the core professions’ continuing professional development arrangements.
Industry Links
On these pathways there will be restricted access to relevant data by employers, the NISCC, DHSSPS, HSC Boards and any successor bodies.
Professional Accreditations
For social workers completion of the degree meets the full requirements for the N. Ireland Strategic and Leadership Award.
Industry Links
Students are supported to attend these programmes across a wide range of disciplines employed in the voluntary and statutory sectors. A limited number of places are also commissioned by the Health and Social Care Board.
Professional Accreditations
The MSc constitutes years 3 and 4 of the four-year Systemic Family Psychotherapist training leading to full clinical qualification as a Family and Systemic Psychotherapist.
Internationally Renowned Experts
Over 88% of research submitted by colleagues from Criminology, Social Policy, Sociology and Social Work to the Social Policy and Social Work Unit of Assessment was similarly judged to be World Leading or Internationally Excellent. An endorsement of the quality of our research and its impacts in areas such as the penal system, mental health and trauma; work once again achieved through work undertaken in partnership with the health, social care and criminal justice sectors.
Student Testimonials
'Completing the MSc Systemic Psychotherapy has brought so much to both my personal and professional life. It has given me a wide range of skills along with a more effective way of working with both clients and colleagues. It truly was a fascinating and enriching experience. The learning opportunities in this course are like no other, with very experienced tutors on the teaching team as well as live supervision and therapy clinics. The course strikes the balance between theory and practice, and requires commitment and enthusiasm - you truly will get out of it, what you put into it'
Jane Ryan, Nurse, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, BHSC Trust
This degree programme requires a major commitment over two years, involving a minimum of 1,855 study hours, at least 480 of which are indirect contact with staff. A distinctive feature of this training is 300 hours of live supervised practice in a clinical placement. Students must also be able to evidence 200 hours of supervised systemic practice in their own work setting.
Teaching takes place normally one day per fortnight at QUB. This includes lectures, seminars, small group work and case presentations.
Supervised training clinics are provided on one day per week through each academic year.
Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:
Supervised Practice
Students spend one day per week in a supervised practice clinic with other students and a supervisor, to achieve a minimum of 150 hours of direct or observed practice per year.
Assessment
Assessments associated with this course are outlined below:
Assessment is by written assignment and oral presentation, including a case study and learning portfolio.
Students' developing clinical practice is assessed during their supervised clinical practice placements by their supervisor and the portfolio of learning by course staff.
Students must also demonstrate 200 hours of supervised systemic practice in a current work setting or placement and access a minimum of 24 hours of individual supervision by a qualified Family and Systemic Psychotherapist.
Facilities
The School is situated across a suite of three buildings in Belfast's Queen's Quarter. We provide student and staff common rooms, computer suites and designated study spaces.
“We aim to provide students with excellent learning experiences to enhance their skills in both child and adult service settings. We hope students will leave the courses feeling better equipped to work compassionately and effectively with the many struggles individuals and families seek help with.”
Suzanne Mooney, Lecturer
The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.
Semester One
• Overview of the process of audit, service evaluation, and empirical research for qualitative research.
• Overview of the process of audit, service evaluation, and empirical research for quantitative research.
• Identifying and understanding research papers and how to critically appraise literature.
• Overview of how to undertake a systematic review of the literature.
• Overview of the ethical approval process and ethical implications and considerations for research proposal.
• Present brief research proposal to peers and supervisors.
Semester Two
• Submission of research proposal (1000 words).
• Feedback of research proposal to students.
• Overview of Quantitative Data Analysis.
• Overview of Qualitative Data Analysis.
• How to write up and disseminate findings.
September 2025
• Submission of 12,000 word dissertation.
Learning Outcomes
• Understand systematic approaches to searching and retrieving literature from electronic, academic and professional databases.
• Understand the use of appraisal tools in reviewing research literature.
• Appraise and synthesise a body of literature into a coherent and robust review based on an explicit methodology.
• Identify a question and use an explicit methodology to answer it (e.g. audit, service evaluation or empirical research).
• Understand and demonstrate skills for collecting and analysing data based on an explicit methodology.
• Demonstrate skills in writing a dissertation on the project including: aims and objectives, identification and appraisal of relevant literature, rationale and methods for data collection, analysis of data, findings and conclusions with recommendations.
• Demonstrate skills of disseminating project findings and highlighting implications for policy, practice or future research at a regional event.
• Demonstrate leadership within their field.
Skills
Skills of devising a project using a specific approach to answer an agreed question.
• Skills of searching, appraising, synthesising and presenting literature.
• Skills of collecting and analysing data.
• Oral and written presentation skills.
• Skills of writing a dissertation to the required academic standard.
• Skills of disseminating findings of research dissertation.
Family Therapy Skills and Techniques - 1. Practice Applications
Overview
1. 160 hours live supervised clinical practice placement with opportunities to work wit range of family groups and presenting problems (direct taught)\n2. 100 hours systemic practice in own employment (indirect)
Learning Outcomes
1. Achieve high level of competence in therapeutic skills. 2. Achieve high level of awareness of and attention to family process. 3. Achieve high level of awareness and attention to therapeutic process. 4. Evidence well developed application of systemic thinking to clinical practice, including evidence based findings.. 5. Demonstrate sustained and responsive ability to use supervision and consultation. 6. Achieve high level of collaborative participation as member of peer clinical team. Also related AFT Learning Outcomes Nos 2, 6 to 15, 18, 19
Skills
In addition to the skills generic to Cert/Dip/MSc in Applied Social Studies the pathway strategic and leadership skills at this level include the ability to develop high levels of competence within field that are recognised within and outside the agency context: reflect critically, systematically and creatively on complex issues; take personal responsibility and initiative; demonstrate a thorough and systematic grasp of issues; independent thought, self-direction and originality; methodological rigour; act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks: reflect critically on the impact and use of self. Module specific: Clinical Portfolio building based on learning contracts & documentation of clinical practice and supervision; Effective participation in interactive/experiential learning methods; Further skills development in both written and verbal presentation of case material; Well developed capacity for reflective practice & self-reflexivity; Highly developed collaborative and networking skills.
Family Therapy and Systemic Thinking - 2. Theoretical Perspectives
Overview
Contrasting therapeutic approaches and methods; contemporary issues and implications for systemic practice; therapeutic responses to specific areas of need; organisational models of service delivery; managing change.
Learning Outcomes
i) In depth knowledge of contemporary family therapy theories and practices; (ii) In depth understanding of critical issues for clinical practice, service development and provision; (iii) Well developed ability to take a leading role in promoting the principles of diversity, equality and social inclusion in a wide range of situations; (iv) Application of learning to own work setting and evidence of active promotion of ethical practice.\nRelated AFT Learning Outcomes: 1, 2, 5, 10, 16, 18 & 19
Skills
In addition to the skills generic to Cert/Dip/MSc in Applied Social Studies the pathway strategic and leadership skills at this level include the ability to develop high levels of competence within field that are recognised within and outside the agency context: reflect critically, systematically & creatively on complex issues; take personal responsibility & initiative; demonstrate a thorough and systematic grasp of issues; independent thought, self-direction & originality; methodological rigour; act autonomously in planning & implementing tasks: reflect critically on the impact & use of self. \nModule specific: Identify and source relevant literature and other related sources of knowledge; develop skills in both written and verbal presentation of complex material; develop capacity for reflective thinking; develop independence of thought in critical appraisal and evaluation.
Family Therapy Skills and Techniques - 2. Practice Applications
Overview
1. 160 hours live supervised clinical practice placement with opportunities to work witH range of family groups and presenting problems (direct taught); 2. 100 hours systemic practice in own employment. (indirect).
Learning Outcomes
Achieve significantly further development in competences from previous year, namely \n1. High level of competence in therapeutic skills. 2. High level of awareness of and attention to family process. 3. High level of awareness and attention to therapeutic process, using oneself effectively and ethically; 4. Evidence well developed application of systemic thinking to clinical practice, including evidence based findings; 5. Demonstrate sustained and responsive ability to use supervision and consultation. 6. Achieve high level of collaborative participation as member of peer clinical team. \nIn addition: 7. Demonstrate ability to make sound therapeutic and professional choices in respect of complex and ethically challenging situations; 8. Demonstrate transfer of skills between client groups and adaptation to different settings; 9. Apply sophisticated level of systemic analysis to own professional discipline and work setting; 10. Evidence leadership in respect of performance enhancement for self and others.\nRelated AFT Learning Outcomes: as per Family Therapy Skills and Techniques 2 - Practice Applications Module
Skills
In addition to the skills generic to Cert/Dip/MSc in Applied Social Studies the pathway strategic and leadership skills at this level include the ability to develop high levels of competence within field that are recognised within and outside the agency context: reflect critically, systematically and creatively on complex issues; take personal responsibility and initiative; demonstrate a thorough and systematic grasp of issues; independent thought, self-direction & originality; methodological rigour; act autonomously in planning & implementing tasks: reflect critically on the impact and use of self. \nModule specific: as per Family Therapy Skills and Techniques 2 - Practice Applications Module\nIn addition: Highly developed collaborative and networking skills; highly developed capacity for reflective practice and self-reflexivity.
MScASS - Family Therapy and Systemic Thinking - 1. Theoretical Perspectives
Overview
Theoretical Foundation for Advanced Clinical Practice Sequence: (i) Historical background and development of family therapy, including relationship to other psychotherapeutic approaches; (ii) Theories and concepts informing the field; (iii) Major models and approaches; (iii) Evidence based practice.\n2. Personal and Professional Development Sequence: Exploration of personal material through individual and group exercises : (a) life cycle (b) family of origin (c) cultural diversity; Exploration of links between the personal and professional self of the therapist, and how clinical work with families can be informed and influenced by these
Learning Outcomes
As set by the professional body for training in family therapy and systemic practice (AFT UK)\nComprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the literature relating to family therapy and systemic practice (AFT LO 1);\nAbility to elaborate and critically evaluate a range of theoretical frameworks in relation to practice (AFT LO 4)\nAbility to compare and contrast different approaches in systemic therapy and their relationship with other therapies and theories\nof change (AFT LO 5);\nUnderstanding of wider systems and their impact on individual and family life, and an ability to include this perspective in work\nwith clients (AFT LO 10);\nAbility to communicate the process of therapy in both oral and written forms of psychotherapy colleagues as well as other\nprofessionals (AFT LO 19).
Skills
In addition to the skills generic to Cert/Dip/MSc in Applied Social Studies the pathway strategic and leadership skills at this level include the ability to develop high levels of competence within field that are recognised within and outside the agency context: - reflect critically, systematically & creatively on complex issues; take personal responsibility and initiative; demonstrate a thorough and systematic grasp of issues; independent thought, self-direction & originality; methodological rigour; act autonomously in planning & implementing tasks: reflect critically on the impact & use of self. Module specific: Identify and source relevant literature and other related sources of knowledge; Written and verbal presentation of complex material; Reflective thinking and reflexivity in response to feedback and discussion.
Normally a 2.2 Honours degree or above or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Equivalent qualifications include the Pre-2007 Post-Qualifying Award in Social Work. Where this is not met, applicants must show that their experience and qualifications enable them to study at postgraduate level through the uptake of references and through completing a reflective assignment on their practice.
This two year pathway is suitable for applicants with a prior relevant professional qualification in a mental health or social care related discipline or equivalent (e.g. social work, nursing, clinical psychology, psychiatry) working in a range of service settings who wish to become qualified Systemic Family Psychotherapists. The course is accredited at Qualification-level by AFT, a member organisation of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). The degree is recognised by the core professions' continuing professional development arrangements. Applicants must have successfully completed Systemic Practice and Family Therapy training accredited by AFT at Foundation and Intermediate levels or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Those who have completed the CYP-IAPT (SFP) Practitioners Course are eligible to apply.
Applicants who do not hold one of the designated relevant professional qualifications, but who have completed AFT accredited Intermediate training (or equivalent) and would find the Qualifying level course useful to their work, may be accepted in accordance with the AFT training standards. This is at the discretion of the Programme Director and will be decided in consultation with AFT course requirements. Additional information and a full CV will be required and a discretionary interview may also be undertaken.
Applicants must be able to evidence 200 hours of systemic practice in their own work setting, and have access to suitable systemic supervision by a qualified Systemic Psychotherapist/Supervisor. Where systemic supervision is not available in their place of work, students may access independent systemic supervision to meet this requirement. The Programme Director will provide additional guidance and support in these circumstances.
At least two references will be sought, one of whom must be the student’s current employer. Additional references should be from someone with knowledge of the students’ systemic practice and another from a previous training course.
An individual and group interview constitute part of the selection process for this programme.
Applicants who score above the cut-off point at interview will be ranked in order of their score, and places will then be offered in rank order up to the maximum number of supervised clinical placements available. Any applicants who score above the cut-off point at interview, and who are not ranked sufficiently high to be offered a place, will be kept on a waiting list and will be offered a place (in rank order) if a supervised clinical placement becomes available.
Please note that this programme is only open to applicants who are working as Social Care Professionals within a suitable setting in NI/UK/RoI. Social Work applicants must have a recognised social work qualification and be registered with the Northern Ireland Social Care Council. It is important that Social Work applicants include their NISCC Social Care Registration Number in the Additional Information section of the application form.
Please note: intake for this programme is every two years, with September 2026 being the next intake.
Closing date: 18th May 2026 at 4pm
International Students
Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.
English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required.
*Taken within the last 2 years.
International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.
This course provides knowledge and skills which are highly valued in both child and adult services across health and social care.
Systemic Practitioners and Systemic Family Therapists work in many health and social care settings such as children's services, older people's services, physical health and disability, substance misuse, justice and mental health services.
Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.
Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills
In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.
1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.
2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.
3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.
All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
All Students
Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.
Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.
Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.
If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.
Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.
There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
How do I fund my study?
The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.
A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.
