Education has always been central to our mission. We are the UK’s biggest employer of music therapists and conduct research into the impact of our work, so we know what our therapists need to learn to be effective. Our tutors are all specialists in the field of music therapy and come with a deep understanding of the Nordoff Robbins approach.
Making music allows the voiceless to be heard, quite literally. As a result, we consider the work we do to be a kind of musical social activism. To prepare you for it, our Master of Music Therapy (MMT) programme will teach you to abandon your own musical biases, embrace new experiences, and really listen to people. This can be challenging at times, but our students say it transforms their entire sense of musicianship.
The language of musical social activism helps me to angle my aims and decisions. I am not trying to change or ‘normalise’ someone but instead trying to create a space for them to justly thrive in a society that is inherently structured to oppress and disable them.
Stella, music therapist
Master of Music Therapy (MMT)
Our Master of Music Therapy is a two-year, masters-level programme validated by Goldsmiths, University of London. It is rooted in the Nordoff Robbins approach, which emphasises practical, collaborative music making. The MMT is one of a handful of Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) approved qualifications that allow graduates to apply to register as a music therapist. This is a legal requirement for working in the profession.
Short courses
We offer short courses for anyone who wants to learn more about our approach. If you’re looking for an introduction to Nordoff and Robbins music therapy, or you’re a carer and want to understand how music making can make a meaningful difference to the people you support, this is the place to start.
PhD programme
Our PhD programme allows participants to extend their learning through practice-based research. Their studies also help us understand the impact of our work and evolve our approach. The programme is designed for seasoned practitioners in either music therapy or community music. It is linked to both the Nordoff and Robbins Research Department and Goldsmiths, University of London.
EDIB
Through our admissions process we strive to achieve diversity in our student cohorts. The same commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging is embedded into our teaching and assessment. It also shapes what we teach – our training is designed to prepare music therapists to meet every client as an equal and think carefully about how they exercise power.
