
To find out more about the Family Therapy Grad Cert register for the online information session on 6th March at 12pm.
To find out more about the Family Therapy Grad Cert register for the online information session on 6th March at 12pm.
Scholarships available, see Fees & Funding section for more information. Our Family Therapy Grad Cert course enables mental health professionals to develop useful theoretical knowledge and practice skills to enable them to work effectively with couples and families in the context of their own professional practice. The focus of the course is in working in mental health settings, and the teaching draws from a range of different approaches. This integrative approach ensures that students have a solid grounding which enables them to adapt their practice to different client groups. At the end of the course students will have gained confidence in working with more than one person in the room and be able to use a number of approaches to help people towards positive change. There is a focus on evidence-based practice and on the development of good therapeutic relationships.
Our Family Therapy course is designed for professionals working in a mental health setting, such as mental health nurses, GPs, paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists. At the Graduate Certificate level, the course provides an introduction to the field of systemic theory, practice and research and will begin to develop your clinical skills and practice. This is an ideal course for entry into qualifying-level training.
Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience.
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
In addition to the standard requirements, the accrediting body for Family Therapy in the UK – the Association for Family Therapy (AFT) – sets out entry requirements for the Grad Cert in Family Therapy. These are:
Registerable professional qualifications are as follows:
Those whose training was outside of the UK and who are able to show equivalence to the above will be acceptable.
Applications from candidates who do not have a professional qualification but can demonstrate equivalence through their knowledge, skills and experience MAY be considered. This will be assessed through a Recognition of Prior Learning process.
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies. Selected applicants will be interviewed in April and May.
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
Personal statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). Please detail your reasons for applying for the course and your future goals. |
---|---|---|
Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
References | Yes | Two references are required with at least one academic. Professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. |
Other | Yes | Please also include a CV with details of your clinical experience. |
You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.
Module name | Lectures (hours) | Seminars/tutorials (hours) | Field/lab/studio/supervised learning (hours) | Project work (hours) | Self-Study (hours) |
Theories Informing Systemic Practice with Families & Couples |
30 | 50 | - | 20 | 50 |
Systematic Practice with Families & Couples |
- | 60 | - | 100 | 140 |
Clinical Practice | - | - | 120 | 20 | 10 |
Personal & Professional Development | - | 25 | - | 75 | 50 |
Contact time is based on 30 academic weeks. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work. To meet accreditation requirements, students are required to accumulate 60 hours of clinical practice during the course and acquire 10 hours of clinical supervision arranged by the student.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
Location
Our course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Denmark Hill Campus.
The primary methods of assessment for this course are written examinations, coursework and practical work (oral presentation of clinical work).
The study time and assessment methods typically give an indication of what to expect. However, these may vary depending upon the modules.
Regulating body
King’s College London is regulated by the Office for Students.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 75 credits. As a full-time student, you are required to take the following modules spread over a 24-months, whereas as a part-time student, you are required to take the following modules over 12 months:
There are no optional modules for this course.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Students can go on to study the qualifying level training (MSc in Family Therapy). Or use their knowledge and skills to incorporate systematic work in existing clinical practice. Graduates of this course are eligible to apply to the Association for Family Therapy for System Practitioner membership status.
Full time: £7,631 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £3,816 per year (2025/26)
Full time: £11,850 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £5,925 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
IOPPN Postgraduate Taught Scholarships
Scholarships of £5000 are available for this programme for 2025/26 entry, to support students with the financial commitments of postgraduate study. the scholarships are available for all full-time Home and International fee status students, with a deadline to apply of Friday 21 February 2025 click here to find out more.
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
Our Family Therapy course is designed for professionals working in a mental health setting, such as mental health nurses, GPs, paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists. At the Graduate Certificate level, the course provides an introduction to the field of systemic theory, practice and research and will begin to develop your clinical skills and practice. This is an ideal course for entry into qualifying-level training.
Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience.
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree
If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).
In addition to the standard requirements, the accrediting body for Family Therapy in the UK – the Association for Family Therapy (AFT) – sets out entry requirements for the Grad Cert in Family Therapy. These are:
Registerable professional qualifications are as follows:
Those whose training was outside of the UK and who are able to show equivalence to the above will be acceptable.
Applications from candidates who do not have a professional qualification but can demonstrate equivalence through their knowledge, skills and experience MAY be considered. This will be assessed through a Recognition of Prior Learning process.
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies. Selected applicants will be interviewed in April and May.
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
Personal statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). Please detail your reasons for applying for the course and your future goals. |
---|---|---|
Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
References | Yes | Two references are required with at least one academic. Professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. |
Other | Yes | Please also include a CV with details of your clinical experience. |
You will be taught through a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials.
Module name | Lectures (hours) | Seminars/tutorials (hours) | Field/lab/studio/supervised learning (hours) | Project work (hours) | Self-Study (hours) |
Theories Informing Systemic Practice with Families & Couples |
30 | 50 | - | 20 | 50 |
Systematic Practice with Families & Couples |
- | 60 | - | 100 | 140 |
Clinical Practice | - | - | 120 | 20 | 10 |
Personal & Professional Development | - | 25 | - | 75 | 50 |
Contact time is based on 30 academic weeks. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work. To meet accreditation requirements, students are required to accumulate 60 hours of clinical practice during the course and acquire 10 hours of clinical supervision arranged by the student.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
Location
Our course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Denmark Hill Campus.
The primary methods of assessment for this course are written examinations, coursework and practical work (oral presentation of clinical work).
The study time and assessment methods typically give an indication of what to expect. However, these may vary depending upon the modules.
Regulating body
King’s College London is regulated by the Office for Students.
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 75 credits. As a full-time student, you are required to take the following modules spread over a 24-months, whereas as a part-time student, you are required to take the following modules over 12 months:
There are no optional modules for this course.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
Students can go on to study the qualifying level training (MSc in Family Therapy). Or use their knowledge and skills to incorporate systematic work in existing clinical practice. Graduates of this course are eligible to apply to the Association for Family Therapy for System Practitioner membership status.
Full time: £7,631 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £3,816 per year (2025/26)
Full time: £11,850 per year (2025/26)
Part time: £5,925 per year (2025/26)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.
If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.
The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.
If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.
Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.
IOPPN Postgraduate Taught Scholarships
Scholarships of £5000 are available for this programme for 2025/26 entry, to support students with the financial commitments of postgraduate study. the scholarships are available for all full-time Home and International fee status students, with a deadline to apply of Friday 21 February 2025 click here to find out more.
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed. We may need to request further information from you during the application process.
Our first application deadline is on 9 March 2025 (23:59 UK time).
Interviews:
Please apply as early as possible before the initial March deadline. Interviews will be scheduled and places offered as we go along.
After the first application deadline, the programme may close at any point once it is full. If there are places still available, the programme will remain open until the final application deadlines below:
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