King's College London

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 MSc in Family Therapy. These are:

a registerable professional qualification
an AFT accredited Intermediate Level qualification in Systemic / Family Practice (see Grad Cert in Family Therapy) or equivalent
clinical experience
currently working in a clinical setting involving regular patient/client contact.

If you do not hold an AFT accredited Intermediate Level qualification, you are recommended to apply for the GradCert in Family Therapy. Following the successful completion of the GradCert, students can progress to the MSc.

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

Select a country

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.

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 final application deadline is on 9 March 2026 (23:59 UK time).

Shortlisting and interviews:

After the application deadline, applications will be reviewed and sent to the department for consideration by 28 March 2025. Please note, it is your responsibility to ensure that references and requested documents are sent to us by the 28 March 2025 deadline since incomplete applications will not be considered by the department.

Shortlisted candidates will be notified by the end of April 2025. Interviews will be scheduled for late Spring 2025, with final decisions communicated to applicants after all interviews are completed in early Summer.