Program Overview

Program Overview

The MSc in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at Trinity College Dublin is a two-year, part-time course that provides students with a comprehensive account of psychoanalytic systems as they have developed from the work of Sigmund Freud, Melanie Klein, Wilfred Bion, and Donald Winnicott. The course is designed for individuals who are interested in working within a psychoanalytic framework and is suitable for applicants who wish to pursue professional training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

Course Structure

• The course is two years, part-time.
• It is conducted as part of a four-year training programme in psychoanalytic psychotherapy.
• The course provides a comprehensive conceptual and critical understanding of the theoretical basis of psychoanalytic psychotherapy, as well as a thorough training in the application of psychoanalytic theory to psychoanalytic clinical practice.

Course Content

• Modules include:
  • Infant Observation
  • Clinical Concepts
  • Infant, Child, Adolescent & Adult Development
  • Theoretical Frameworks I: Foundations Of Psychoanalysis
  • Infant Observation II
  • Theoretical Frameworks II: Developments In Psychoanalytic Theory
  • Clinical Practice
  • Dissertation

Admission Requirements

To apply for the MSc in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Academic Qualifications: An upper second class honours primary degree or higher is required. Exceptions can be made for those in professions that did not require a primary degree at the time of entry, such as nursing, subject to approval by Trinity’s Graduate Studies Office.
2. Work Experience: For the Adult Strand, work in a related field is desirable. For the Child and Adolescent Strand, applicants typically work in various settings with children and adolescents.
3. Personal Factors: While a strong knowledge of psychoanalysis is not required, some understanding of its basic tenets is desirable. Engagement in personal therapy is also strongly recommended as it demonstrates a recognition of the nature of this field.
4. Readiness: Applicants should consider the timing of their application in relation to their life circumstances. The application process includes an appraisal to determine if the applicant is in a position to embark on this course at this time.
5. Interview: Entry to Strand I and Strand II is contingent upon a successful interview with the respective Training Institutes. Applicants who meet the academic qualifications and references will be invited to attend an interview. Successful completion of the interview is required for final acceptance into the four-year training programme.

English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy have a wide range of career opportunities available to them. Many graduates go on to complete the four-year professional training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, leading to careers as psychoanalytic psychotherapists in private practice, hospitals, mental health clinics, and other healthcare settings. Additionally, graduates may find opportunities in academic and research settings, contributing to the field of psychoanalytic psychotherapy through teaching, supervision, and scholarly and research work.

Course Fees

For a full list of postgraduate fees, please refer to the relevant section of the university's website.

Awards

• NFQ Level 9
• Number of Places: Adult Strand 15, Child and Adolescent Strand 15, M.Sc. only strand 10 Places
• Next Intake: September 2025
• Course Director: Prof Paul Moore
• Closing Date: 31st July 2025

Additional Information

The course is particularly oriented towards those who are keen to explore the theoretical and clinical contributions of key figures in psychoanalysis. It combines academic and clinical components, emphasising self-awareness, personal therapy, and infant observation alongside theoretical learning. While the course is designed to provide the first two years of a four-year professional training programme, it also accommodates those who may not wish to continue into the clinical training years. The course balances theoretical knowledge with clinical input and encourages a high level of exploration and discussion of ideas and clinical processes.