Course Information:
Transactional Analysis is best described as an integrative approach to psychotherapy. It is an accessible, effective, and powerful theory that can be used to analyse how people relate and communicate both with themselves and with others. It combines psychoanalytic thought with a humanistic philosophy, which emphasises the potential for change and the importance of involving the client as an equal partner in the work. TA combines a highly accessible theory on the development of people and systems with a highly practical approach, centred on the possibility of growth and development.
At SPTI, we offer a training which adheres to Eric Berne’s integrative approach and consequently we explore a variety of TA schools. Our course honours TA’s psychoanalytic roots and holds its object relations and model of ego states and script as central to practice. Alongside a clear recognition of the impact of the social, cultural, political and historical contexts in which script develops.
Underpinning the course are the humanistic values upon which Transactional Analysis is based. These include a belief that human beings are inherently relational, co-operative, growth-seeking and with a natural aspiration towards autonomy. There is also an emphasis throughout on self-responsibility and the possibility of change. We place particular emphasis on those parts of TA theory which draw upon, and bear witness to, the value Berne placed on working with unconscious processes which is termed Relational Transactional Analysis.
TA’s origins are from group psychotherapy and students will have opportunity in this training to explore the application of TA to individuals, couple and group therapy and gain experience in these approaches in placement and later private practice.
Professional Bodies:
On successful completion of the programme, students will be awarded an MSc Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy degree by The University of Staffordshire. The course is professionally accredited by the United Kingdom Association for Transactional Analysis (UKATA).
You will also be eligible for BACP & UKCP registration as well as membership to both UKATA and the European Association of Transactional Analysts (EATA).
Placements:
As part of training, students are required to secure suitable placements. SPTI works with many regional and national employers to provide placement opportunities for students. Through our Placement Co-ordinator, SPTI holds and develops a database of placement providers and we’ll actively support you in your search. Each year, SPTI holds a placement fair where students are able to meet and make valuable contacts with placement providers as well as attending workshops on the day. Placement opportunities are posted on our student VLE, Moodle.
Start Date:
The course starts in September 2025.
Duration:
Year 1 – UKCP Preparatory year – focussing on clinical requirements, required by UKCP.
Year 2, 3 & 4 – MSc Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy – students will study 180 credits over 3 years and be registered with The University of Staffordshire.
Year 1 will be covered in 10 weekend workshops (Saturday to Sunday).
Year 2, 3 & 4 consists of 10 weekend workshops (Saturday to Sunday).
On completion students have the option of continuing on to qualifying as a Certified Transactional Analyst by undertaking a minimum of 1 more year of training which is undertaken 1 day a month over 10 months. This is called the 5th year and is an optional route. Please discuss this with the Programme Leader for more details. A decision to take this 5th year does not need to be made until year 4.
Location:
The workshops are delivered in our training facilities at 2 & 7 Castle Quay, Castle Boulevard (NG7 1FW) or 30 Park Row (NG1 6GR)
Course Content:
Modules:
All modules are compulsory to complete the academic qualification of MSc or Diploma and professional accreditation with UKCP. 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.
| Year One | (UKCP Preparatory Year) and registration with UKATA | |
| Module 1 | The Fundamentals of TA | |
| Module 2 | Model of the Person – Development of the Self | |
| Module 3 | Model of the Person – Self in Relationship | |
| Module 4 | Preparing for Clinical Practice | |
| Year Two | ||
| Module 5 | The Three TA Schools and the Theory of Change | 20 credits |
| Module 6 | Integrative & Relational TA Schools and the Theory of Change | 20 credits |
| Module 7 | Assessment & Diagnosis in Psychotherapy | 20 credits |
| Module 8 | Developing Clinical Practice, Parallel Clinical Obligations & Reviews | 0 credits |
| Year Three | ||
| Module 9 | Advanced Theory & Practice: Working with Relational Depth | 20 credits |
| Module 10 | Research Methods in Psychotherapy | 20 credits |
| Module 11 | Deepening the Therapeutic Process and the use of Supervision | 20 credits |
| Module 12 | Parallel Clinical Obligations & Reviews | 0 credits |
| Year Four | ||
| Module 13 | Working at Relational Depth: Supervision & Themes in Psychotherapy | 60 credits |
| Module 14 | Parallel Clinical Obligations & Reviews | 0 credits |
| Year Five | (Optional – post qualification training) | |
| Module 1 | Preparation for CTA |
Clinical Obligations:
| Year One | 40 hours of personal therapy | ||
| Year Two | 40 hours of personal therapy | 120 hours (minimum) of supervised placement # | 20 hours (minimum) of supervision * |
| Year Three | 40 hours of personal therapy | 120 hours (minimum) of supervised placement / private practice # | 20 hours (minimum) of supervision * |
| Year Four | 40 hours of personal therapy | 120 hours (minimum) of supervised placement / private practice # | 20 hours (minimum) of supervision * |
#360 hours supervised placement / private practice are required for the award of Masters.
| Additional UKCP Requirements for Registration | 0 hours of personal therapy | 90 hours (minimum) of supervised placement / private practice # | 15 hours (minimum) of supervision * |
450 hours supervised placement / private practice are required for UKCP registration.
*Supervision hours are completed prior to qualification at a ratio 1:6.
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. 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
International Students:
SPTI is not a UK Home Office Registered Sponsor with approval to admit overseas students. We can only consider applications from applicants who satisfy HOME fee residential status criteria. For more information, visit https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information–Advice/Fees-and-Money/England-HE-fee-status
EU Students from 2021:
Following the UK’s exit from the EU, the UK government has made changes to eligibility for Student Finance where students are beginning their training in 2021 entry. EU students will not be treated as home students and will require student visas. Therefore, we will not be able to accept applications from EU applicants for 2021 entry onwards.
Interviews:
Interviews are conducted with the Programme Leader or an experienced staff member who is a professional counsellor/psychotherapist and likely to be for a minimum of 30 minutes duration. At interview, you will need to demonstrate that you have, or have the potential to develop, the following attributes and skills:
- Self-awareness, maturity and stability
- Ability to reflect on life experiences and utilise constructive feedback
- Capacity to cope with the emotional and intellectual demands of the programme
- Ability to form a helping relationship
- Awareness of issues of diversity and equality, prejudice and oppression
- Ability to recognise the need for personal and professional support
- The generic professional skills of literacy, numeracy, information technology, administrative skills, self-management skills, communication and interpersonal skills
Teaching and Assessment:
You will be taught by experienced practitioners through a combination of lectures, workshops, small group and practical sessions. Small group sessions enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your Personal Facilitator twice a year.
Fees:
For the course starting September 2025, the part-time tuition fees are to be confirmed.
Additional Costs:
The following costs are in addition to the tuition fees and you are expected to pay these yourself. You must continue in personal therapy and clinical supervision throughout the duration of the course.
- DBS checks including being registered on the update service
- UKATA & EATA (joint) Student Membership Fee £87 per year
- Personal therapy (weekly, usually around £50.00 per hour)
- Clinical Supervision (around £50.00 per hour)
- Where students are working with clients, Professional Indemnity Insurance should be taken out
- Any placement related expense
- Additional fees apply for the CTA Examination Process (optional year 5)
Financial Support:
Tuition fee loans are available for year 2 onwards from Student Finance England. Tuition fee loans are paid directly to the student. Details can be obtained by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/masters-loan. Students in years 1, 2 3 & 4 can apply for Disability Support Allowance which can provide equipment, mentoring and other support depending upon the needs of the student. Details can be obtained by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/how-to-claim.
Students on low incomes or with a disability can apply for an SPTI Bursary of up to 10% reduction in tuition fees. This is a discretionary bursary which is subject to the availability of funds. For more information and an application form for an SPTI Bursary click here for the Finance and Bursaries page.
For more information about UKATA bursaries, please click here https://www.uka4ta.co.uk/bursaries
Employability
Both BSc and MSc courses offer both an academic qualification and professional accreditation. Therefore, your earning capacity as a professional with an academic qualification and BACP accreditation or UKCP registration will be greatly enhanced. In addition to setting up in private psychotherapy practice, a high proportion of our graduates’ work in full or part-time employment in psychotherapy or related fields.
The “return on investment” that cannot be measured quite so easily is in terms of quality of life and job satisfaction. Many of our graduates incorporate what they learn into their current jobs, expanding their job specs, or work with clients for part of the week. The increased autonomy, flexibility and job satisfaction associated with this style of working is greatly valued by those who experience it.
How to apply
Applications for the academic year 2025-26 will open soon.
- SPTI have submitted an application with UKATA to become a Recognised Training Establishment. This is under review and is due for completion soon. This will not impact delivery of the course