Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy MSc

at Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute

Location

Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute

Develop the professional skills to become a transactional analysis practitioner and work with a range of clients.

The MSc in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy (TA) is best described an integrative approach to psychotherapy combining psychoanalytic thought with humanistic philosophy, focusing on communication, relationships, and the potential for change. The course follows Eric Berne’s original vision while engaging with a range of TA schools, emphasising ego states, script theory, and the impact of social and cultural contexts.

Grounded in humanistic values, it highlights autonomy, growth, self-responsibility, and relational work, with particular attention to unconscious processes through Relational TA. Students gain experience applying TA with individuals, couples, and groups through placements and preparation for private practice.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy

Part-time study

Studied part-time, all modules are compulsory to complete the academic qualification of MSc and professional accreditation with United Kingdom Association for Transactional Analysis (UKATA) - an Organisational Member of UKCP. Students can register with UKCP via UKATA. All modules are taught in group sizes usually no larger than 18. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.

Course content

The MSc in Transactional Analysis is structured around a series of compulsory modules that provide both the academic foundation and professional training required for UKCP accreditation. The course begins with a UKCP Preparatory Year (year 1), which also includes registration with UKATA, and progresses through four years of structured learning, with an optional fifth year of post-qualification training.

Modules cover core areas such as the fundamentals of TA, models of self and relationship, theory of change across TA schools, assessment and diagnosis, research methods, and working with relational depth in both therapy and supervision.

Alongside the taught components, clinical practice forms an essential part of the programme. From the second year, students are expected to undertake supervised placements. The programme requires a total of 360 hours of supervised clinical practice for the MSc award, increasing to 450 hours for UKCP registration. Supervision is undertaken at a ratio of one hour of supervision to every six client hours, ensuring ongoing guidance and support as students develop their practice.

Personal therapy is also a key requirement, with students expected to complete 40 hours of therapy each year across the first four years of training. This experiential element helps to enhance the trainee’s understanding of the psychotherapeutic process and supports professional growth.

By combining rigorous academic learning, extensive clinical practice, and a strong emphasis on personal development, the MSc equips students with the skills, experience, and professional standing required to practise Transactional Analysis psychotherapy.

Placements

You will be required to complete at least 360 hours of clinical practice as part of your training. Students are required to secure suitable placements. Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute works with regional and national employers to provide placement opportunities for students.

There is also an annual placement fair, where you can make valuable contacts with placement providers.

Alongside the clinical practice, you will complete at least 160 hours of personal therapy as a student and 60 hours of recognised training supervision.

Location

You will study at Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.

Established in 1987, the Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute (SPTI) is a not for profit educational organisation specialising in training counsellors and psychotherapists. They offer professional and academic qualifications, ranging from introductory to masters level.

Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute website
Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute logo

Entry requirements

Entry is through submission of an application form, evidence of qualifications, 2 suitable references, a satisfactory criminal records check and a personal interview.

Completion of a TA101 course is required by the professional body. This can be completed before application or before the end of year one of the course, which can be undertaken as independent study or attendance at a 12-hour workshop.

The following requirements comply with UKCP’s standards for training in psychotherapy:

  • An undergraduate degree in psychology or a related discipline (for example, sociology, education, theology, philosophy), or
  • A non-relevant undergraduate degree with appropriate training or experience, or
  • A qualification or professional training/work-based portfolio in the helping professions evidencing study level equivalent to level 6 (for example, social work, psychiatric nursing, general nursing, teaching)
  • A counselling diploma or equivalent qualification plus evidence of ability to study at level 6
  • Relevant work and/or life experience plus evidence of ability to study at level 6

Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements for entry, but satisfy criteria relating to ‘relevant work and/or life experience’, may be asked to complete a short essay in order to demonstrate their capacity to study at postgraduate level.

Where English is not your first language, you must demonstrate a pass in either:

  • IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.5 in any element)
  • TOEFL iBT 87 (no less than 21 in listening and writing, 22 in reading and 23 in speaking), or
  • CELE pre-sessional course

SPTI can only consider applications from applicants who satisfy HOME fee residential status criteria e.g. UK/EU/EEA including Switzerland. SPTI is not a UK Home Office registered sponsor and we are unable to admit international students.

If you are already a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist wishing to further your career by undertaking additional study/research, you may be eligible to join either year 2 or 3 of the MSc programme via an Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) application process. In this instance, the length of training will be determined by the point of entry.

The nature of psychotherapy training is primarily relational and as such it is important for applicants to disclose any pre-existing relationships with SPTI staff and/or members (and other applicants where known) at the point of application. This provides the opportunity to address potential implications for this at the interview stage thereby ensuring professional standards when attending to dual relationships, which Professional Bodies (for example, BACP and UKCP) recommend be avoided to prevent detrimental effects and promote professional accountability at all stages of training and practice.

We aim to ensure that this does not provide an unnecessary barrier to recruitment. Therefore, in cases of pre-existing relationships with current students and/or training staff, adjustments may be suggested; this could include an alternative entry point or in some cases an alternative programme of study.

 

Careers

Registration with UKCP enables many graduates to progress into employment within the field or develop their own practice. Further supervision training is available for those wishing to develop their skills

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

We know that our students learn in different ways. To help everyone get the most out of their studies, we teach through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical sessions. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor (or equivalent) at least twice a year to help support you in your studies.

You will be taught in high-quality learning spaces throughout your course, and of course will have access to virtual learning environments to enhance your learning opportunities. Many of our courses are accredited or recognised by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module will give you a variety of opportunities to receive informal feedback from your tutor. These may include classroom discussions, discussions in the virtual learning environment, presentations, milestone assessments and practice assessments. Informal feedback is developmental and any grades you may receive for these do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This

includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project, and Viva’s assessments. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on formal coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission.

Staff

  • Deborah Blagden - Programme Leader

  • Julia Tolley Tutor

  • Amy Cooper Tutor

  • Barbara Monk-Steel Tutor

  • Beren Aldridge Tutor

  • Louise Ralston Trainee Tutor

Fees

For fee information, visit the Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute website.

Apply

To apply, visit the Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute website.

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021