Arts & Wellbeing BA (Hons)*
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UCAS Code: AAWB|Duration: 3 years|Full Time|Both Campuses
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Work placement opportunities|International students can apply
About the course
The recognised areas of benefit for arts and wellbeing initiatives are significant in breadth, ranging from mental health, trauma, special educational needs, addiction, dementia, as well as to ideas linked to more generalised civic wellbeing.
Such initiatives have been accompanied by a significant growth in employment opportunities, ranging from specialist art/music/movement therapists through to senior appointments in national, regional, and local government, health, and educational organisations.
This course will provide you with the knowledge and understanding of the practices and histories of arts and wellbeing interventions; as well as equipping you with the knowledge and critical understanding of the role and function of creativity for wellbeing.
It will equip you with the necessary skills for project management of arts and wellbeing interventions and the processes by which they can be created, realised, managed, distributed and documented to benefit many sectors of society – the elderly; the disabled; children in poverty; people in recovery from substance abuse and so on.
This course will also provide students with the relevant digital and technical skills needed to develop sophisticated approaches to arts and wellbeing interventions.
Course structure
Teaching on this degree is structured into lectures, where all students are taught together, seminars of smaller groups, one-to-one meetings, and workshops - some of which will be practical in nature, while others will be classroom based.
Assessment and feedback
Assessment will be a mixture of presentations, essays, creative portfolios. You will be given written feedback on your assessments, and you will have the opportunity to discuss this with your tutor in more detail.
Year One
You will participate in a series of applied sessions:
- Introduction to Ideas of Arts and Wellbeing – A historical look at the role creativity has had to play in societal wellbeing. A survey from Ancient Times to that of today drawing from many of the world’s traditions.
- Introduction to Applied Arts – A look at the aims and different techniques of applied arts projects across different disciplines. Student-led presentations.
- Creative Communities – Why living in a ‘creative community’ matters, both in terms of physical and mental well-being. Comparing and contrasting several case-studies from around the world. The therapeutic benefits of arts participation.
- Practical studio sessions - Exploring Performance and Wellbeing (music/singing, dance and drama, and wellbeing) 8 week of each, and Making and Wellbeing (arts, craft, film, stories) 6 weeks of each.
You will also participate in specific technique classes depending upon your creative specialism eg:
- Music instrument/voice (1-to-1); and will also join at least one of the large ensembles/choirs
- Dance (small group tutorial)
- Drama (small group tutorial)
- Film/Photography/Digital Media (small group tutorial)
- Arts Materiality (small group tutorial).
Theory sessions will explore:
- What is Wellbeing? - Comparing and contrasting various theories and policies that shape our understanding of Wellbeing.
- The importance of access to culture and creativity – Comparing and contrasting a number of case studies demonstrating the health and wealth benefits gained from access to culture and creativity.
- Review existing social problems, social determinates of health and wellbeing.
Seminars (a mix of practical and theoretical delivery)
- An Introduction to Perception and Wellbeing – The value of arts and culture for the viewer and listener. Multiple perspectives. Art is more than entertainment etc. Neurodiversity. Public perspective.
- An introduction to Creative Communication, Expression and Reflection and Wellbeing - through arts practice. The value of arts and culture for the practitioner. Perspective from the act of participation. Participation and facilitation.
Year Two
You will participate in a series of applied sessions:
- Exploration of Applied Arts - An in-depth look at applied/devised and/or ‘home-grown’ arts initiative. Comparing aims, techniques and findings. Arts practices for/by/with communities.
- Do the Arts Really Matter? - An in-depth look at national and local government policies as well as those of such bodies as the Arts Council England the NHS and Police, to explore the various outcomes and findings. Use or Ornament? Funding opportunities. Working to a brief/commission – somebody else’s agenda.
- Development of devising performance for communication – how to lead a devised performance project. Evaluation and legacy. Creation to delivery to evaluation.
- Medium and material responses to environment for reflection – how to curate an exhibition. Site specific/site sympathetic ‘Glocal’. Local identity.
You will also participate in specific technique classes depending upon your creative specialism eg:
- Music instrument/voice (1 to 1); and will also join at least one of the large ensembles/choirs
- Dance (small group tutorial)
- Drama (small group tutorial)
- Film/Photography/Digital Media (small group tutorial)
- Arts Materiality (small group tutorial).
Theory sessions will explore:
- Costs/Benefits to society of arts and wellbeing – Impact/healing arts in hospitals. Arts intervention programmes to reduce crime rates. Social capital. Trust/group cohesion/networking/strengthening a sense of community etc.
- Enhancing access to arts and culture via technologies – Cultural capital. Initiatives such as the National Theatre/Royal Ballet – digital literacy/employment skills/arts promotion/self-promotion.
- Mental Health and Physical Disability and the Arts – an examination of case studies and interventions
- Poverty and the Arts – an examination of case studies and interventions – global perspective, countries in the global majority. Subcultures. Cultural missionaries. Graffiti. Change to rebellion.
Year Three
You will participate in a series of applied sessions:
- From within the industry – Guest speakers/artists/charity workers
- Public Arts and Civic Pride? - Analyses to what extent public art can increase civic pride and/or decrease crime. Arts as propaganda – national identity/commemoration
- Advanced devised performance – Towards leading a community-based arts and wellbeing project
- Medium and materials responses to environment for reflection – How to curate an exhibition.
You will also participate in specific technique classes depending upon your creative specialism, eg:
- Music instrument/voice (1 to 1); and will also join at least one of the large ensembles/choirs
- Dance (small group tutorial)
- Drama (small group tutorial)
- Film/Photography/Digital Media (small group tutorial)
- Arts Materiality (small group tutorial).
Theory sessions will explore:
- Digital Technology for Creative Wellbeing - A survey of different technological innovations that have aided creative wellbeing over the last 50 years (motion capture; eye-tracking; MIDI Beam etc.)
- Inclusion and Arts – An in-depth examination of the role the arts can have to play with respect to societal inclusion. Reduction of social exclusion. Minority/majority groups.
- Arts and Wellbeing Project - business planning, set-up and running
- Placements – Generate a manual for an original model of arts practice. Professional conduct on placement. Age-appropriate material.
- Dissertation
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BBC |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 104 UCAS Tariff points must come from a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent). Additional points can be made up from a range of alternative qualifications |
| BTEC | In a creative discipline |
| Access to HE | 104 Tariff Points |
| IB | 24 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 104 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| T-Levels | Merit |
| Subject Requirements | Applicants should have a relevant level 3 qualification in a creative discipline, for example an A Level, BTEC or equivalent in either Music, Fine Art, Drama, Dance, Film or Radio. |
International entry requirements
| Specific Country Requirements | Select your country |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall (with reading and writing at 6.0) and no individual score lower than 5.5. We also accept a wide range of International Qualifications. For more information, please visit our English Language Requirements page. |
Careers
Most regions and cities in the UK invest in arts and wellbeing strategic priorities, and there is a clear need for professionals to drive these developments forward for the wellbeing of all our citizens. This is echoed nowhere more powerfully than in the Arts Council of England's most recent strategic initiative - Arts, Culture and Wellbeing – which describes how ‘making and experiencing arts and culture transforms quality of life for individuals and communities’. Liverpool City Council and the Merseyside Region take the idea of Arts and Wellbeing very seriously, with significant investment in initiatives such as Routes to Wellbeing and Connecting our Communities.
Enhancement opportunities
Work Placement Opportunities
Students will be expected to carry out work placements chosen from a variety of arts and wellbeing contexts.
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2024/25 academic year are £9,250 for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,250.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2024/25 are £12,500.
Visit our International fees page for more information.