PhD Psychoanalytic Studies

Program Overview

---

We offer research supervision in the following fields:

• child development
• conceptual analysis
• creativity
• gender
• group and institutional dynamics
• history of psychoanalysis (including Jungian analysis)
• Jungian thought
• philosophical issues in psychoanalysis
• psychoanalysis and the arts
• psychoanalysis and education
• psychoanalysis and religion
• psychoanalytic methodology in clinical and non-clinical fields, especially politics and sociology
• psychoanalytic theory (eg Freudian, Kleinian, Jungian, object-relations and group theory)
• psychosis
• refugee studies
• trauma and violence

Our graduates go on to a number of different destinations, including further study and training in psychoanalysis, Jungian analysis, or psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Many of our students are already professionals, clinical and non-clinical, so return to their existing fields, either in jobs or further training, and use their time with us to deepen their understanding of their work. Please note, part-time research study – either full-time or part-time – is also available. Why we're great.

• Access to Freud's original letters and research for your studies.
• You are surrounded by strong departments that fully support and enhance our work.
• Our research and teaching is deeply grounded in knowledge deriving from clinical practice, to which our highest standards of academic thinking are then applied.

Our expert staff

Within our Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies , you will be allocated a supervisor whose role it is to guide you through the different stages of your research degree. In some cases, you may have joint supervision by two members of our staff (which may include co-supervision from colleagues located in another department). The support provided by your supervisor is a key feature of your research student experience and you will have regular one-to-one meetings to discuss progress on your research. Twice a year, you will have a supervisory panel meeting, which provides a more formal opportunity to discuss your progress and agree your plans for the next six months.

---

Specialist facilities

If you are studying within our Department, you will have access to our extensive facilities to aid your learning and research. In particular, our Albert Sloman Library is well stocked with books, journals, electronic resources and major archives relevant to our work and, in addition, we have our own library of specialist books and journals.

---

Your future

Our graduates go on to a number of different destinations, including further study and training in psychoanalysis, Jungian analysis, or psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Many of our students are already professionals, clinical and non-clinical, so return to their existing fields, either in jobs or further training, and use study with us to deepen their understanding of their work.

Program Outline

Course structure

A research degree doesn't have a taught structure, giving you the chance to investigate your chosen topic in real depth and reach a profound understanding. In communicating that understanding, through a thesis or other means, you have a rare opportunity to generate knowledge. A research degree allows you to develop new high-level skills, enhance your professional development and build new networks. It can open doors to many careers. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

---

---

Components

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.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

---

---

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 1 View Psychoanalytic Studies - Research on our Module Directory

---

---

Assessment

The main mode of teaching is by individual supervision. Each supervisory process is unique in its rhythm, style and content and, therefore, you and your supervisor should agree on the nature and timing of each stage of your research. As a guideline, you might expect to spend the first year of your PhD (or first two years, if part-time) undertaking your literature review and refining your research question/focus. In your second year (or third and fourth years, if part-time) you work on your methodology, data collection and data analysis. In your third year (or fifth and sixth years, if part-time): you complete your data analysis, final results, and drafting.

---

---

Dissertation

Within our Department, the normal period of study for a PhD is three years (six years if part-time or distance learning). Assessment is by submission of a thesis of no more than 80,000 words. Research theses will be examined by two examiners, one internal and one external. An oral examination is usual for all PhD and doctoral theses.