By studying this course, you'll gain an awareness of the basic principles of systemic theory and how to apply these in practice.
Systemic therapy is an evidence-based approach used in a variety of different healthcare settings, such as:
Although it’s primarily a method for working with families, it provides a hugely valuable way of working with individuals, couples, teams and organisations.
Our foundation course is grounded in reflexive and ethical ways of working, as well as providing the classic systemic texts and latest research outcomes that inform and shape the field.
Our course is taught by systemic therapists and professionals from different service contexts, and benefits from visiting lecturers with different areas of expertise from across the South West.
You’ll learn alongside Doctorate in Clinical Psychology students to add to the richness of learning.
The maximum group size is 50. We work hard to ensure that teaching is specifically adapted to take the group size into account, with lots of opportunities for small group work and role-plays, as well as larger group discussions.
You'll be able to access Bath’s services and facilities, including resources designed to improve your academic skills and enhance your employability.
Our foundation course is accredited by the Association for Family Therapy.
This foundation-level course introduces you to systemic theory, practice and research and allows you to develop basic practice skills you can apply to your own work.
During this course, you’ll cover topics such as 1:
You’ll be awarded 12 ECTS credits (or 24 CATS credits) at master's-level upon completion of this course. In order to complete the master's level qualification in systemic psychotherapy, you’ll be required to engage in a further three years of study.
The course involves 11 teaching days at the University of Bath (one per-month) - teaching days are always on a Friday. It starts in late September.
You are expected to complete 120 hours of independent study in addition to structured teaching days. This includes the time necessary for reading and all assignments.
Upon completion of the course, you will have a firm understanding of the different schools of systemic therapy, know how they fit in historical and contemporary contexts, the theories and concepts that underpin them and key therapeutic interventions championed by each approach.
As well as using this course just for your professional development, you may also be able to use this as Accredited Prior Learning (APL) to progress onto an intermediate course at any institution where this is offered
Our entry requirements for this course, and details about tuition fees and costs.
Our Foundation course is designed for graduate-level professionals with a first professional qualification in a relevant mental health or social care-related discipline.
These professions include: nursing, psychiatry, social work, clinical psychology, psychiatry and other medical specialties, teaching, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and counselling.
You can apply under accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) or equivalent route if you do not have the required professional qualifications or a degree level qualification, but can demonstrate that the foundation level course would be useful for your work (e.g. if you are working as an assistant psychologist, support worker or teaching assistant and/or you have the ability to study at postgraduate level). However, please note that acceptance onto the Foundation course does not guarantee that your level of qualification will be accepted at other institutions to study at intermediate or MSc level.
Details of this can be found in the application pack or on the AFT website. You can also contact systemic-therapy@bath.ac.uk for further clarification.
The course fees for 2025/26 are: £3,010
There can be flexibility with prior agreement on payment of fees.
Find out more about our fees for 2025/26 entry. Course fees may increase annually.
Learn more about how we decide fee status.
You will be required to attend teaching sessions at our campus in Bath. Travel and accommodation is not provided, you should budget for this.
View key information about this course.
Course title: Foundation Systemic Theory and Practice
Final award: Association of Family Therapists accredited course certificate
Mode of study: Part-time
Course code: PS50157
Department: Department of Psychology
Location: University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
Start date: September 2025
Application deadline: 2 June 2025
Overseas deadline: N/A
Application eligibility: Only UK students are eligible to apply
Regulator: The Office for Students (OfS)
Apply for 2025 entry
Apply nowAll enquiries about the course and further information should be directed by email.
Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions. ↩
