Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

ProfMasters Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 180)



This part-time four-year programme provides professional clinical training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy founded on a student’s engagement in their own psychoanalysis. It launches the student in beginning to practice psychoanalytically under supervision. Clinical supervision is delivered in two modes - small group and individual. The programme fee covers both modes of supervision experience.



The programme’s module content develops understanding of the principles underlying the clinical practice of psychoanalytic psychotherapy, a discipline launched by the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud. The programme content is strongly informed by the work of French Psychoanalyst and Psychiatrist, Jacques Lacan (1901 – 1981), whose seminars and writings elaborated Freud’s work.



-Provides a rigorously supervised clinical training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy contributing to a professional qualification to practice



-Requires engagement in one’s own psychoanalysis, the cornerstone of psychoanalytic practice



-Provides weekly small group and individual clinical supervision



-Provides a rigorous theoretical study of the principles underlying psychoanalytic practice



-Includes participation at a weekly psychiatric case conference at St.Vincents University Hospital which is a unique teaching forum bringing together psychiatric and psychoanalytic responses to mental illness



- Includes both a research dissertation and a clinical paper testifying to practising psychoanalytically



-Provides a four-year Special Modality Training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, which can fulfil ICP psychoanalytic professional body requirements for application for membership

Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:



Stage 1, Year 1 Core Modules

MDCS40380 Supervision of Clinical Practice Part I 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 7.5

MDCS40390 Clinical Diagnostics and Research Part I 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 7.5



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:

Stage 1, Year 2 Core Modules

MDCS40820 Supervision of Clinical Practice Part II 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 7.5

MDCS40830 Clinical Diagnostics and Research Part II 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 7.5

PSCO40220 Dissertation Year 2 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 20



Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:

The modules below must be completed during Stage 1, Year 1 and Stage 1, Year 2. Modules will be delivered biennially.Students will be instructed by the school during registration.

MDCS40400 Psychoanalysis in Context Autumn 5

MDCS40410 The Symptom and the Dream Autumn 5

MDCS40440 Human Sexuality and Sexuation Autumn 5

MDCS40450 Transference and the Interpretation of Desire Autumn 5

MDCS40420 Psychoanalysis and Language Spring 5

MDCS40430 Child Psychoanalysis: Theory and Application Spring 5

MDCS40460 Ethics, Research Methods and Clinical Applications Spring 5

MDCS40470 Psychosis Spring 5

Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:

Stage 2, Year 3 Core Modules

PSCO40230 Psychoanalytic Discourse 1 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 5

PSCO40240 Research & Clin App Tut 1 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 5

PSCO40200 Supervision Clin Practice 3 Year-long (12 months) 10

PSCO40210 Clinical Placement 1 Year-long (12 months) 15

Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:

Stage 2, Year 4 Core Modules

PSCO40140 Psychoanalytic Discourse 2 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 5

PSCO40160 Research & Clin App Tut 2 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 5

PSCO40150 Psychoanalytic Clinical Paper Year-long (12 months) 20

PSCO40170 Clinical Placement 2 Year-long (12 months) 15

PSCO40190 Supervision Clin Practice 4 Year-long (12 months) 10

Applicants must hold an honours degree (NFQ Level 8 or interntaional equivalent )



Evidence of commitment to engaging in their own psychoanalysis – ideally where this has already been in place for some time



at the time of application.



Suitability to engage in supervised clinical practice based on endorsements from appropriately qualified referees



Applicants will be invited to participate in a two-part interview process.

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

4 years part-time.

Commencing September 2025

Careers & Employability

Since its launch in 1984 the Masters in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy has produced hundreds of graduates. Many continue to work in their primary professions using psychoanalytic principles to inform that work and provide a basis for their own management of the personal impact of the work.

Many graduates have set up their own private practice, while remaining in personal psychoanalysis and supervision. Some become psychoanalysts through remaining in personal analysis and additionally make a scholarly contribution to teaching, training and research.