Triangle

Course overview

This course starts every two years so the next intake will be for 2026, applications are not yet open.

No-one is immune to trauma; it can affect everyone in some form or another. Understanding the nature of psychological trauma is paramount in helping those who are suffering the most. It's a challenging and complex occupation, but has many rewarding and life changing moments. Our MA Trauma Informed Practice is for those who work with people who have experienced or are experiencing trauma. The course takes a holistic psychosocial approach to trauma and provides you with the core knowledge and theory needed to become a professional in the field. You'll explore models of psychological trauma and consider how trauma impacts on mind and body and later in the course you will look at organisational responses to trauma.

You will enhance your knowledge of childhood trauma and adversity, as well as understand the life-long implications this can have on person’s wellbeing. You will be introduced to the new frontiers in trauma practice including the concept of working with people who are ‘living in trauma’, the ways in which we might start to think about and understand ‘trauma perpetration’ and finally ‘trauma prevention’.

We have a range of people who teach on the course bringing broad range of existing knowledge, skills and experience. Upon completion of the course, you'll be equipped with the skills of understanding trauma and have the capacity to develop research and evidence based practice to help those who are suffering, and you will have a substantial under-pinning to go onto develop your work at Doctoral level (and you will be supported with this).

This course attracts students working in many different roles such as nurses, teachers, social workers, probation officers, counsellors, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, art therapists, physiotherapists, artists and others whose work is in a trauma related field.

The course has strong connections with the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) which is also on the Jubilee Campus, and students are encouraged to engage with the extra learning and research opportunities in the IMH.

Course leader 

Professor Gary Winship (please contact for informal academic enquiries)

Alumni profiles

Read our alumni profiles to see what they say about their experience of the course.

Why choose this course?

Opportunity to join

National Association of Trauma Specialists upon graduation

Active seminar series

featuring distinguished visitors in your field from across the world

Top 50

in the world for education

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

Learn from experts

who are internationally recognised for their research in this area

Over 100 years

of experience in the field of education

Excellent research

The majority of our research outputs are assessed as internationally excellent.

Research Excellence Framework

Course content

The taught element of this course is made up of 120 credits, plus a 60-credit dissertation. You will take two core modules each year. You will then have an eight-month period to complete your dissertation. 

Your attendance will typically be equal to five full days each semester/three months (two Friday-Saturday blocks and one Friday), for example, for the Autumn semester the course days are the first Friday and Saturday in October, then the first Friday and Saturday in November, and then the first Friday in December. The course is in-person, but there are online one-to-one tutorials and group tutorials in between classes. 

Modules

Core modules

Practice Perspectives on Dealing with Trauma: Skills and Pathways to Managing and Working Trauma

This module will introduce you to the literature on treatment and intervention with groups and individuals. Literature on recovery and growth following adversity will be reviewed. The process of self-reflection and critical self-analysis by the helping professional is central to the development of effective working relationships in the field. This module will also help you develop your self-awareness and self-knowledge. This process is facilitated through in-depth exploration of the nature and effect of difference on self, other and relationship, and the phenomenology of trauma. Particular attention will be paid to developing advanced interpersonal skills.

Theoretical Perspectives on Defining Trauma: Developmental Sociopsychology and the Impact of Trauma

This module will introduce you to the theory and knowledge central to the role of the professional working in the field of trauma studies. Historical perspectives and theoretical models will be reviewed. It will consider the major resilience and vulnerability factors that influence how people respond to trauma, and how that may impact on the process of recovery.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Tuesday 24 September 2024.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Core modules

Research Applications: Evidence, Methods and Professional Development

This module will build on theory and knowledge learned in the first two modules to examine in more depth the research underpinnings of trauma studies. You will also be asked to critically evaluate evidence supporting theoretical models and therapeutic ways of working.

The module introduces you to the issues and research ideas that inform trauma studies and trauma informed practice, and as such provide the conceptual foundations for you to begin planning your dissertation. You will learn about a range of methodologies used in trauma research, from qualitative methods to quantitative methods.

The module will help you develop your skills of critical evaluation, conceptual knowledge, and research planning. This process is facilitated through in-depth exploration of your own professional issues in relation to the learning and knowledge that arises from the module.

Trauma and the Community: Perspective on Group, Community and the Organisational Contexts to Trauma

This module will build on theory and knowledge learned in the first two modules to examine in more depth, the research underpinnings of trauma studies. You will examine the different contexts in which trauma presents in individuals and groups to community and cultural perspectives.

Dissertation

This involves the researching and writing of a substantive piece of scholarship within the field of the course.

You will choose a topic in consultation with your course leader and an appropriate supervisor. The topic will normally be based on interests and skills you have developed in the course of the modules already studied.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Tuesday 24 September 2024.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Seminars
  • Lectures
  • Group study
  • Workshops

We have a blended approach to learning, which includes block days of face-to-face teaching, as well as remote tutorials and supervision sessions. A strong emphasis is placed on sharing experience, generating knowledge and co-constructing, we encourage you to bring your own experiences to class.

How you will be assessed

  • Presentation
  • Poster presentation
  • Dissertation
  • Literature review
  • Coursework

The most common approach to assessment is through written assignments. However, we also have a range of different assessment modes that are intended to help you develop as an academic practitioner, and demonstrate your capabilities. For example, you will do an assessed presentation in the first module, in the second module you are tasked to develop a policy review, in the third module a poster presentation, and in the fourth module a book review.

You must achieve a pass of at least 50% on each assignment to complete the masters. 

Contact time and study hours

Each module includes an equivalent of 30 hours of teaching (face-to-face contact), plus 270 hours of independent study, assignment preparation and tutorial support. We recommend you dedicate around eight to twelve hours per week for reading, researching, writing, preparation for class etc.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Undergraduate degree2:2 (or international equivalent) in a helping-related discipline
Work experience

Applicants with a degree in any other discipline must have at least one year of practice providing trauma-related support and will be considered on an individual basis

Additional information

Assessing your application

Admissions may, at their discretion, ask applicants to provide further information in order to assess their application fairly and accurately. This can include CVs, references (academic and professional) and clarifications regarding their previous and current education. In such cases you will be contacted by admissions with a more information request.

Applying

This course starts every two years so the next intake will be for 2026, applications are not yet open. 

After you have applied you will be invited to meet with the course leader where there is an opportunity to learn more about the course and ask questions, and we will ensure that the course is a good fit for you and your personal and professional development.

Recognition of Other Learning (ROL)

If you have prior learning or experience at an appropriate level, you may apply for exemption from some of the credit requirements of the course. Applications for ROL should be made at the time of application for admission to the university and at least four weeks before the start of the course. Applications for ROL are processed free of charge. Late applications will not be considered. Please visit the School of Education ROL pages for full information and how to apply.

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

How to apply
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Where you will learn

Jubilee Campus

Jubilee Campus has eco-friendly buildings, alongside green spaces, wildlife and a lake. 

This campus is home to our business, education and computer science schools, as well as a sports centre and student accommodation.

You can walk to University Park Campus in around 20 minutes or catch a free hopper bus. Nottingham city centre is 20 minutes away by public bus.

Fees

Qualification MA
Home / UK To be confirmed for 2026 entry
International To be confirmed for 2026 entry

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, we do not anticipate any extra significant costs, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.

You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies which you would need to factor into your budget.

Funding

This course is not eligible for Student Loans Company funding.

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

Career destinations for School of Education graduates include education advisers, language tutors, primary/secondary teachers, vocational/industrial trainers and instructors, counsellors, trauma specialists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, art therapists and physiotherapists.

A number of our graduates are already in employment while undertaking part-time study for professional development in their chosen career.

Career progression

95.2% of postgraduates from the School of Education secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £28,108.*

* HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020/21 data published in 2023. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time, postgraduate, home graduates within the UK.

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates
" Never has there been a better time for practitioners to be trauma informed. I’m privileged to lead a course where I have the chance to collaborate with front-line practitioners who are working across a wide range of settings covering many different disciplines. On the course we aim to build knowledge and understanding, but always with the awareness that this information might save lives. Both in preventing trauma and helping people to recover from the trauma they have experienced. "
Dr Gary Winship, Course Leader

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This content was last updated on Tuesday 24 September 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.