Program Overview

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University of Essex Program Details

The University of Essex offers a Foundation Degree in Therapeutic Communication and Therapeutic Organisations.

Overview

The Foundation Degree, comprising one afternoon of teaching a week, offers a theoretical understanding and the practical tools for emotionally grounded therapeutic work with children, adolescents, and adults, whatever your role. Using a psychodynamic framework, the course will help you develop a thorough understanding of the human processes within and around the people who use your service and the people who are trying to help them.

Course Structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.

Components and Modules

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Year 1

• COMPONENT 01: CORE - Understanding Individuals Groups and Organisations : An Introduction to Psychodynamic Concepts (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: CORE - Introduction to Psychodynamic Observation and Reflective Practice (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: CORE - Child, Adolescent and Adult Development: Loss, Conflict and Growth (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: CORE - Work-based Learning 1 (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY - Theory, Practice and Responsibility (30 credits)

Year 2

• COMPONENT 01: CORE - Trauma and Recovery: A Psychodynamic Approach (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: CORE - Advanced Psychodynamic Observation and Reflective Practice (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: CORE - Violence (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: CORE - Work-based Learning 2 (30 credits)
• COMPONENT 05: CORE - Critical Analysis of Psychodynamic Theory and Practice (15 credits)
• COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY - Group Relations and Professional Life (15 credits)

Teaching

Undergraduate students in the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies typically attend a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar for each module per week. There are some variations in place depending on the module. Teaching takes place in relatively small seminars and fora, with a focus on group discussion. Discussion in seminars includes both discussing other peoples' work and discussing your own experiences in the workplace. You also undertake supervised clinical practice, participate in skills-based workshops, and teach others through presentation of theoretical readings and clinical cases.

Assessment

Your grade is made up entirely of coursework marks, including essays and reflective reports.

Fees and Funding

Home/UK fee

Ł9,790 per year

International fee

Ł21,500 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Entry Requirements

Our applicants must demonstrate capacity to study for Foundation Degree as evidenced by NVQ, A-level and access courses or other evidence, perhaps including evidence of relevant experience and ability from the workplace.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.

Related Courses

• FdA Therapeutic Communication and Therapeutic Organisations (Distance Learning)
• BA Therapeutic Communication and Therapeutic Organisations (Colchester Campus)