Entry Requirements
UK applicants
Standard requirements
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).
Programme specific requirements
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:
- a registerable professional qualification
- currently working in a clinical setting involving regular patient/client contact.
Registerable professional qualifications are as follows:
- Psychology – clinical psychology, educational psychology and counselling psychology (a degree in psychology with no further clinical training is not accepted)
- Social Work – the generic professional qualification is sufficient whichever training route was undertaken (e.g. undergraduate, postgraduate, or the employment based without an academic award attached).
- Psychiatry and other medical specialities
- Teaching – where individuals have had substantial experience in which they have worked with pupils and families in a counselling capacity.
- Nursing – mental health nursing and other nursing specialities which require counselling skills.
- Arts therapists (art, drama, dance and movement and music therapists), qualified and registered with the Health Care Professions Council, HCPC.
- Counselling – three year minimum training, full BACP accredited membership (MBACP Accred) and experience in the public or voluntary sector is considered essential to establish equivalence.
- Occupational therapy – qualified and registered with Health Professions Council.
- Speech and language therapy – qualified and registered with the Health Professions Council.
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.
International applicants
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band: B
Selection Process
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.
Personal statement and supporting information
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. |
Application closing date guidance
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 2026 (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:
- Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2026 (23:59 UK time)
- Home fee status: 25 August 2026 (23:59 UK time)
Key Information
Course type:
Master's
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time / Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, September to June, two years part-time
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026