Keen to use the arts in a positive and therapeutic way with others? Achieve your ambitions by studying on this innovative four year course which includes a Foundation Year.
- Our Foundation Year provides you with a firm grounding in the skills and knowledge you need and introduces you to the subject area; enabling you to achieve your honours degree in four years
- Gain exciting practical experience through completing work placements with our partner organisations
- Advance to one of our acclaimed masters degrees if you would like to register and go into practice as an arts therapist
- The Foundation Year course leads on to the full Creative Expressive Arts, Health, and Wellbeing
If the arts have played a vital role in your own personal development, why not harness your creativity to make a difference in other peoples’ lives? Our pioneering BA (Hons) Creative Expressive Arts, Health, and Wellbeing with Foundation Year shows you how.
Beginning with a Foundation Year
Starting at foundation level is ideal if it has been a while since you were in formal education; are planning a career change; would benefit from a more gradual introduction to university level study; or do not meet the entry requirements to join our three-year honours degree directly.
It gives you an insight into the therapeutic arts and working with people, as well as supporting you to develop the skills you need to achieve your goals.
On completion of the Foundation Year you will then commence study on the full BA (Hons) Creative Expressive Arts, Health and Wellbeing degree.
Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more
Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.
Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.
Boost your employability with a placement year
Take an optional placement year to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. We’ll support you in finding a placement and throughout your time in industry. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience for your CV, build contacts, and explore career options before you graduate.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
The course balances classroom-based theory sessions in the form of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and exercises with practical sessions involving studio, performance, and exhibition work. The focus is on developing your transferable skills so that you can adapt to varied and changing circumstances. Work-based learning and placements are a key part of your learning experience too, allowing you to develop your skills in working with people of differing ages, identities, backgrounds, and abilities.
Throughout the course, you have access to guidance and advice from a personal academic tutor, and will also benefit from practice-focussed support sessions for academic skills, self-care, and employability.
How you are assessed
During your foundation year you will be assessed mainly by coursework, and with some in-class tests.
For the remainder of your studies you'll be assessed in a variety of ways to help you develop a compelling skill-base. These include academic papers, reflective essays, exhibitions, performances, reflective journals and diaries, videos, and production projects. In some assessments, you will be able to choose how you are assessed, allowing you to work with your strengths.
Who you will meet
You will learn from highly experienced academics who are committed to supporting your success. All specialists in their field, they include active researchers, authors, Arts and Health Practitioners and Community Artists, qualified Arts Therapists, Musicians, Composers, Performers, and professional artists, all with outstanding professional networks. We pride ourselves on offering a supportive and engaging learning environment.
The team includes Dave Home.
You’ll develop transferable skills which enable you to work creatively with people in a range of different settings, drawing on your knowledge of art, dance, drama or music.
Our graduates have gone on to work in community arts, voluntary organisations, health, education and the corporate sector. Some have set up their own businesses.
may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2026 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 72 |
| A Level | DDD |
| T Level | Pass |
| BTEC | MMP |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study. |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 24, Pass: 15 |
| English language requirements | IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area) |
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2027 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 72 |
| A Level | DDD |
| T Level | Pass |
| BTEC | MMP |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study. |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 24, Pass: 15 |
| English language requirements | IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area) |
Offers will be made initially based on your application, including predicted grades and/or grades you have already achieved. You may be given the opportunity, within your offer letter, to submit a portfolio. If you submit a strong portfolio we will make you an unconditional offer, to reflect the quality of your work and your potential.
Additional entry requirements
| 2026/27 | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | £9,535 per year* | N/A |
| International | £15,500 per year* | N/A |
*This is the fee for the Foundation Year. Subsequent UK fees are £9,535 per year. Subsequent International fees are £17,500 per year.
Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Course updates
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
Minimum numbers
Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.
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