Explore UCD

UCD Home >

HDip Psychotherapy Studies Full-time

HDip (NFQ Level 8)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Contact Us

This one year full-time Higher Diploma programme provides an introduction to the major modalities of psychotherapy, to psychoanalysis and to psychiatric/mental health practice. It can be a very solid foundation for clinical training in psychotherapy. UCD Psychotherapy offers four clinical training MSc programmes.

  • Offers an introduction to the psychotherapies and prepares students for further specialist training.
  • Provides an academic foundation in the theoretical and clinical literature in the field.
  • Tailored not only to trainees or practitioners in disciplines within the mental health arena but also to applicants from non-cognate areas who may be considering embarking on a clinical training in psychotherapy.
  • Taught by experienced practitioners.

About This Course

  • Provides a solid introduction to different modalities in psychotherapy 
  • Can prepare students for clinical training in psychotherapy 
  • Provides an academic foundation in the theoretical and clinical literature in the field
  • Provides very solid foundation for clinical training in psychotherapy
  • Serves as an effective basis for making a decision regarding the modality of psychotherapy one may choose to train in. 

UCD Psychotherapy offers four clinical training MSc programmes.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MDCS30050 Research and Clinical Applications Seminar 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  15
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MDCS30060 Thesis Dissertation 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum)  25
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MDCS30010 Theoretical Overview of the Psychotherapies Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MDCS30020 The Therapeutic Relationship in Psychotherapy Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MDCS30030 Psychotherapies I: Transference based Therapies and Integrative/interpersonal Therapies Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 MDCS30040 Psychotherapies II: Cognitive/Behavioural Therapies, Group & Family Psychotherapies Spring  5

Please contact the school for fee information

  • Open to applicants with a Honours Level 8 (NFQ) qualification or equivalent experience-based prior learning.
  • Most relevant to workers in the field of mental health practice and health work generally as well as those involved in education and social care provision but applicants from outside these fields are also most welcome.
  • Relevant professional experience and qualification is welcome but not a prerequisite. 

Applicants will be interviewed and will be expected to show evidence of a commitment to the study of psychotherapy.

Application for this course must be made on-line at www.ucd.ie/apply.

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.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes


Graduates with Level 8 (NFQ) BA or BSc, or equivalent Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), are eligible to apply for the Higher Diploma. Academic qualification at postgraduate level is becoming an integral part of a professional career path in psychotherapy and a knowledge of the different modalities of psychotherapy is strongly recommended. The Higher Diploma can provide a very important knowledge of psychotherapy practices for anyone with a leadership role in mental health services, whether clinical or operational. It has been recommended for psychiatrists in, or heading towards, consultant posts involving leadership of Multi-Disciplinary Teams. Graduates of the Higher Diploma can make an informed decision on a modality of psychotherapy in which to train and may be interested in applying for one of the four clinical training MSc programmes offered by UCD Psychotherapy.


Print this page

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to HDip Psychotherapy Studies Full-time:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt X838
HDip Psychotherapy Studies Full-time
Higher Diploma
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
 Graduate Taught Closed
* you can change options at the top of the page
Contact UsOpen Days & EventsDownload Brochure
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.