Developmental and Therapeutic Play, MA / PGDip / PGCert
Swansea UniversitySingleton Park Campus, United Kingdom
Course overview
Our MA Developmental and Therapeutic Play course explores how play shapes children's development, learning, and emotional wellbeing. Delivered by the Department for Education and Childhood Studies, this course blends academic insight with reflective practice to help you become a specialist in the power and process of play. Whether you're from education, social care, psychology, or playwork, our programme is designed to deepen your understanding of play’s developmental and therapeutic value across a variety of settings.
While it doesn’t train you to become a therapist, it equips you to apply play expertise in health, education, social care, and community contexts.
Key highlights
- Explores how play shapes development, learning and emotional wellbeing
- Blends academic insight with reflective practice in play
- Builds play expertise for health, education, social care and community settings
- Optional 30-hour voluntary placement within one module
- Suits backgrounds in education, social care, psychology or playwork
Entry requirements
- Degree: 2:2 — UK 2.2.
- Additional condition: dbs_check — If you choose to do the 30 hour voluntary placement, you will need to apply and pay for a DBS when on the course (please see additional costs section).
Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships
International Postgraduate Alumni Bursaries
First Class - £5,000 per year; Second Class, First division - £3,000 per year; Second Class, Second division - £1,000 per year; Taught Masters to Research Degree - £3,000 per year subject to satisfactory progress.
Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES)
The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between the International and the Home tuition fee rate for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme.
Careers this course leads to
- Play specialist
- Playworker
- Early years practitioner
- Family support worker
- Learning support practitioner
- Community play development officer
Cost of study
UK/Home: £9,550 per year | International: £19,200 per year
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Swansea University, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
Ready to start?
Book a free consultation and we'll map your fastest route to a September 2026 place.