Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Studies

This part-time two-year programme provides a rigorous supervised clinical training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy contributing to a professional qualification to practice this therapeutic method with adults.



Since its inception in 1984, the programme has significantly contributed to the formation in clinical practice for many psychoanalytic practitioners and other clinicians who benefit from a psychoanalytic influence on their work. It is relevant for any mental health professional, including GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, therapists, counsellors, and nurses. The programme also accepts applications from candidates from other backgrounds who are suitable for the programme based on their own prior experience of psychoanalysis.



• 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. Vincent's University Hospital which is a unique teaching forum bringing together psychiatric and psychoanalytic responses to mental illness

• Includes dissertation for experience of research appropriate to the field

• Can form part of a four-year continuous training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy



Professional Accreditation

The MSc in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Studies is a two-year programme that can contribute to the education and training of psychoanalytic psychotherapists. On its own it will not fulfil requirements to apply for membership to psychotherapy professional bodies within the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP) . The ICP professional bodies all require a minimum four-year period of training in a specific modality. These include the Association for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in Ireland (appi.ie) and the Irish Forum for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (www.ifpp.ie). With this in mind, a new four year part-time programme was developed, X993 Professional Masters in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.



For informal enquiries on the MSc in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Studies and on the four-year Professional Masters in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, contact Dr. Gráinne Donohue grainne.donohue@ucd.ie

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:

Stage 1, Year One 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 (Spr-Sum) 20



Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:

The modules below are core at Stage 1 and must be completed over years 1 and 2. Modules will be delivered biennially.In 2025/26, all Year 1 and Year 2 students must select MDCS40440, MDCS40450, MDCS40460 and MDCS40470.All other modules were either already completed by students in 2024/2025 or will be taken in 2026/2027 and should not be selected at this time.

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

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 at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Online Application.



Who Should Apply?

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No

2 years part-time. Delivery: On Campus.

X990: Professional Masters in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Studies Part-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught