Explore UCD

UCD Home >

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

ProfMasters (NFQ Level 9)

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

Contact Us

This part-time four-year programme provides professional clinical training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy founded on a student’s engagement in their own psychoanalysis. It launches the student in beginning to practice psychoanalytically under supervision. Clinical supervision is delivered in two modes - small group and individual. The programme fee covers both modes of supervision experience.
The programme’s module content develops understanding of the principles underlying the clinical practice of psychoanalytic psychotherapy, a discipline launched by the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud. The programme content is strongly informed by the work of French Psychoanalyst and Psychiatrist, Jacques Lacan (1901 – 1981), whose seminars and writings elaborated Freud’s work.

-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.Vincents University Hospital which is a unique teaching forum bringing together psychiatric and psychoanalytic responses to mental illness
- Includes both a research dissertation and a clinical paper testifying to practising psychoanalytically
-Provides a four-year Special Modality Training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, which can fulfil ICP psychoanalytic professional body requirements for application for membership

About This Course

Programme Description

This part-time four-year programme provides professional clinical training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy founded on a student’s engagement in their own psychoanalysis. It launches the student in beginning to practice psychoanalytically under supervision. Clinical supervision is delivered in two modes - small group and individual. The programme fee covers both modes of supervision experience.

The programme’s module content develops an understanding of the principles underlying the clinical practice of psychoanalytic psychotherapy, a discipline launched by the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud.

The programme content is strongly informed by the work of French Psychoanalyst and Psychiatrist, Jacques Lacan (1901 – 1981), whose seminars and writings elaborated Freud’s work.

Structure

The programme is delivered in 13 modules:

  • Years 1 and 2 together lead to an exit award MSc in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Studies which comprises 90 ECTS. Contact us for more information on this option
  • Attendance must be 80% or higher throughout the programme
  • Assessment is by continuous assessment for the taught modules and a mark for the thesis
  • Total credits awarded: 180 ECTS

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 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Stage 1, Year 1 Core Modules
 MDCS40380 Supervision of Clinical Practice Part I 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  7.5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Stage 1, Year 1 Core Modules
 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
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Stage 1, Year 2 Core Modules
 MDCS40830 Clinical Diagnostics and Research Part II 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  7.5
Stage 1 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Stage 1, Year 2 Core Modules
 PSCO40220 Dissertation Year 2 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  20
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
The modules below must be completed during Stage 1, Year 1 and Stage 1, Year 2. Modules will be delivered biennially.Students will be instructed by the school during registration.
 MDCS40400 Psychoanalysis in Context Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
The modules below must be completed during Stage 1, Year 1 and Stage 1, Year 2. Modules will be delivered biennially.Students will be instructed by the school during registration.
 MDCS40410 The Symptom and the Dream Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
The modules below must be completed during Stage 1, Year 1 and Stage 1, Year 2. Modules will be delivered biennially.Students will be instructed by the school during registration.
 MDCS40440 Human Sexuality and Sexuation Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
The modules below must be completed during Stage 1, Year 1 and Stage 1, Year 2. Modules will be delivered biennially.Students will be instructed by the school during registration.
 MDCS40450 Transference and the Interpretation of Desire Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
The modules below must be completed during Stage 1, Year 1 and Stage 1, Year 2. Modules will be delivered biennially.Students will be instructed by the school during registration.
 MDCS40420 Psychoanalysis and Language Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
The modules below must be completed during Stage 1, Year 1 and Stage 1, Year 2. Modules will be delivered biennially.Students will be instructed by the school during registration.
 MDCS40430 Child Psychoanalysis: Theory and Application Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
The modules below must be completed during Stage 1, Year 1 and Stage 1, Year 2. Modules will be delivered biennially.Students will be instructed by the school during registration.
 MDCS40460 Ethics, Research Methods and Clinical Applications Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 0 of:
The modules below must be completed during Stage 1, Year 1 and Stage 1, Year 2. Modules will be delivered biennially.Students will be instructed by the school during registration.
 MDCS40470 Psychosis Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Stage 2, Year 3 Core Modules
 PSCO40230 Psychoanalytic Discourse 1 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Stage 2, Year 3 Core Modules
 PSCO40240 Research & Clin App Tut 1 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Stage 2, Year 3 Core Modules
 PSCO40200 Supervision Clin Practice 3 Year-long (12 months)  10
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Stage 2, Year 3 Core Modules
 PSCO40210 Clinical Placement 1 Year-long (12 months)  15
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Stage 2, Year 4 Core Modules
 PSCO40140 Psychoanalytic Discourse 2 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Stage 2, Year 4 Core Modules
 PSCO40160 Research & Clin App Tut 2 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  5
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Stage 2, Year 4 Core Modules
 PSCO40150 Psychoanalytic Clinical Paper Year-long (12 months)  20
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Stage 2, Year 4 Core Modules
 PSCO40170 Clinical Placement 2 Year-long (12 months)  15
Stage 2 Options - B) Min 0 of:
Stage 2, Year 4 Core Modules
 PSCO40190 Supervision Clin Practice 4 Year-long (12 months)  10

Currently professional bodies within the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP) require a four-year period of training.

The Association for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in Ireland (appipsychotherapy.com) and the Irish Forum for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (www.ifpp.ie) are members of the Psychoanalytic Section of the ICP and have ICP Standards as requirements for membership.



The Professional Masters in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy is a four-year clinical programme that fulfils these ICP requirements. The programme contributes essentially to the education and training of psychoanalytic psychotherapists.



Graduates have, over the years, successfully applied for membership of professional bodies representing this modality of psychotherapy.



Further information on criteria for application for membership of APPI are available at: https://appi.ie/membership/



Further information on criteria for application for membership of IFPP are available at: https://ifpp.ie/membership-criteria/


ProfMasters Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (X993) Part Time
EU          Year 1 - € 7890
nonEU    Year 1 - € 13500
EU          Year 2 - € 7890
nonEU    Year 2 - € 13500
EU          Year 3 - € 6150
nonEU    Year 3 - € 11200
EU          Year 4 - € 6150
nonEU    Year 4 - € 11200

***Fees are subject to change

  • Applicants must hold an honours degree (NFQ Level 8  or interntaional equivalent )
  • Evidence of commitment to engaging in their own psychoanalysis – ideally where this has already been in place for some time
  • at the time of application.
  • Suitability to engage in supervised clinical practice based on endorsements from appropriately qualified referees
  • Applicants will be invited to participate in a two-part interview process.
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. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


It is relevant for any mental health professional, including GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, social care workers, therapists, chaplains, 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 their own psychoanalysis.



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


Print this page

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
X993
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
Professional Masters

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
* 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.