Psychodynamic Practice (Taught)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

MSt
The MSt in Psychodynamic Practice follows on from the PGDip in Psychodynamic Practice and provides training in advanced clinical work and research methodology in psychodynamic practice, and includes undertaking supervised original research.

The course forms part of the Oxford University Master’s Programme in Psychodynamic Studies which is accredited by the UPCA (Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association). Students who complete the full programme and the necessary clinical hours will be eligible for professional accreditation with UPCA as a psychotherapeutic counsellor. UPCA hold this accredited register on behalf of UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy). Students can also become members of UKCP, in addition to their membership of UPCA.

The MSt course seeks to consolidate the clinical and academic work of the programme and provides training in advanced clinical work and research methodology, with the undertaking of supervised research. It is primarily orientated towards increasing the understanding and application of counselling/psychotherapy research in practice. The course is designed to bring you to an advanced level of professional competence.

You should have satisfactorily completed the PG Diploma in Psychodynamic Practice and will continue your clinical placement and personal therapy. Please note that successful completion of the MSt will result in the PGDip award being subsumed by the MSt award.

No applicant currently in therapy/counselling with a course tutor will be admitted to the course.

The course works using the UPCA and UKCP standards which are based on a number of implicit ethical principles that highlight the important nature of boundaries, professional conduct and, in a psychodynamic course, the power of unconscious processes. Students should at all times act in accordance with the ethical codes issued by the UPCA and UKCP. Due to the psychodynamic and experiential nature of the programme, it is considered inappropriate for students to engage in romantic/sexual relationships with tutors or students whilst on course. Should any such relationship arise during the course of your studies, you must declare its existence to the Course Director as soon as possible, who may, for example, ask that you refrain from continuing your relationship or that you suspend your studies.

PGDip
The PGDip in Psychodynamic Practice integrates theoretical knowledge with clinical experience and aims to bring trainees to the level of professional competence.

The course constitutes the second part of the University of Oxford's master's programme in psychodynamic practice, which is accredited by the UPCA (Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association). Students who complete the full programme and the necessary clinical hours will be eligible for professional accreditation with UPCA as a psychotherapeutic counsellor. UPCA hold this accredited register on behalf of UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy). Students can also become members of UKCP, in addition to their membership of UPCA.

The PGDip enables those who wish to, to apply to the BACP to be on their Register following the completion of a Certificate of Proficiency.

From the PGDip course you may apply to continue on to the final part of the programme, the MSt in Psychodynamic Practice, for further supervised research and clinical tuition.

Please note that no applicant currently in therapy/counselling with a course tutor will be admitted to the course. You will be responsible for arranging personal therapy and obtaining a suitable clinical placement.

For the full description, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas