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Different course options

Full time | Colchester Campus | 1 year | 03-OCT-24

Study mode

Full time

Duration

1 year

Start date

03-OCT-24

Key information
DATA SOURCE : IDP Connect

Qualification type

MA - Master of Arts

Subject areas

Immigration Studies

Course type

Taught

Course Summary

This unique course brings together people from diverse walks of life and parts of the globe to explore how we can care for refugees more effectively. Through lively seminar discussion we unpack refugee experiences as multi-dimensional and complex and explore psychosocial perspectives and different types of intervention and activism. We discuss how we may become more therapeutic in our work with refugees, beyond merely offering psychotherapy. Through our course, you gain skills in challenging negative and limiting stereotypes of asylum seekers and refugees as traumatised, passive recipients of help. You also gain new insight into effective humanitarian work with refugees and have a special opportunity to visit an Asylum Tribunal and learn from judges about how the UK asylum system operates. This programme is closely associated with Centre for Trauma Asylum and Refugees.

Using an innovative twin-site programme, our course staff are made up from the multidisciplinary practitioner expertise of the Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies Department and the therapeutic provision of the Tavistock and Portman Clinic. Two modules are delivered on Monday afternoons and evenings at the Tavistock Clinic in London and four modules are delivered on Tuesdays at the University of Essex (Colchester campus). Whilst full-time students attend the course on both sites, part-time students attend modules at the Tavistock Clinic in London in year 1 and at Colchester in year 2. You will also have guest speakers who are activists, academics, and world experts in the field. You will learn our unique, innovative, and proven approach enabling you to work directly with refugees, combining theory and practice. We offer valuable opportunities to gain first-hand experience in this field through supportive work placements in London, Colchester and beyond.

Students often come with a wealth of voluntary and professional experience in fields such as education, psychology, therapy, medicine, nursing, social work, human rights, law, politics, philosophy, art, literature, and media studies. We also welcome people coming to the field of Refugee Care anew, with an interest in working directly with refugees, asylum seekers or other involuntarily dislocated groups of people, or conducting conceptual or empirical research in this area. Students may successfully combine study on our course with part-time work with charity sector organisations.

Your future

The field of refugee work is not only topical but is expanding and developing rapidly, creating new employment initiatives and opportunities. This course is unique in equipping students to work directly in this field.

Accordingly, our graduates make an impact by applying the innovative approach that our course offers in a variety of contexts and disciplines. Many of our graduates go on to play a leading role in many spheres e.g., education, social and community work, human rights, emergency and humanitarian aid, national, international and non-governmental organisations.

Modules

How can we be 'therapeutic' in working with refugees, as opposed to 'offering psychotherapy'? What is the range of therapeutic dimensions in working with refugees? Learn from experienced practitioners who use a variety of different approaches in their work. Engage in class discussions with themes that are relevant to you.

Tuition fees

UK fees
Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

£10,000

International fees
Course fees for EU and international students

For this course (per year)

£21,700

Entry requirements

Students need a 2:2 degree or equivalent. Successful completion of the course is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (carried out by your placement provider).

University information

The University of Essex prides itself on being at the forefront of change. It is an institution with a culture of boldness where creativity and curiosity in learning are both encouraged and expected. It’s a UK university, placing 36th and 32nd according to the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023 and the 2024 Complete University Guide rankings, respectively. At the University of Essex, students are taught by world-leading academics in a...more

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