More than 100 Irish learners are facing financial losses and academic uncertainty after the Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC) announced it is entering voluntary liquidation and ceasing training, according to reports from The Irish Times and DailyDigest.ie. Students who invested nearly €10,000 in practice-based play therapy master’s courses now find themselves in limbo regarding tuition refunds, supervised clinical placements, and final accreditation through the UK-based University of Chichester.
How the APAC Liquidation Affects Students in Dublin and Waterford
According to The Irish Times, the voluntary liquidation impacts at least 48 students who began their studies in Dublin just weeks prior to the announcement. Theresa Falconer, a primary school teacher who moved home to Waterford from the UK, invested over €6,500 in student fees, equipment, and Airbnb accommodation for a 15-day in-person teaching module. Falconer told The Irish Times that receiving the closure email felt like a “blow to the stomach” after she spent a decade caring for her three children before seeking a return to the workforce.
According to DailyDigest.ie, the total personal cost for participants often exceeds the headline tuition fee. Enrolled learners face unexpected expenses tied to laptops, specialized course materials, travel, professional preparation, and mandatory supervision arrangements required for therapeutic play programs that support children with emotional and behavioral difficulties.
The University of Chichester, which provides academic accreditation for the APAC courses, instructed affected students to stop making any further payments to the provider, according to The Irish Times and DailyDigest.ie. The university advised learners to seek independent advice regarding fees already paid and stated that its immediate priority is examining available support options and potential teach-out arrangements with the involved organisations.
Company accounts indicate that APAC and its Irish facilitator, Play Therapy Ireland (PTI), recently shared overlapping directors and secretaries, though they are not currently sharing the same leadership. DailyDigest.ie reports that students are urgently seeking answers concerning whether their academic credits remain valid, who will oversee upcoming placements, and what consumer protections apply to cross-border private education arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did APAC enter liquidation?
According to notifications sent to students cited by The Irish Times, the Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy ceased training activities and moved into voluntary liquidation, though specific financial details of the collapse have not been fully disclosed.
Are student fees going to be refunded?
No formal refund guarantee has been issued. The University of Chichester advised students to seek independent advice regarding fees already paid, and affected learners like Theresa Falconer report uncertainty over whether any money will be recovered.
What happens to ongoing play therapy placements?
Students are currently waiting for clarity on supervision and placement monitoring. DailyDigest.ie reports that academic partners are exploring potential continuation plans, but no definitive pathway has been confirmed for students scheduled to complete practical modules.
Can students complete their qualifications elsewhere?
Accrediting bodies are reviewing potential teach-out options, but students have been left stranded while administrative discussions continue between the involved institutions.
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