Overview
Course Overview
The Masters in Philosophy in Psychoanalytic Studies offers graduates a thorough introduction to the history, theory and applications in clinical work and in the wider culture of psychoanalysis from Freud to modern writers in this broad field. The course is of interest to people from a variety of backgrounds, including graduates of psychology, philosophy, and other university programmes, as well mental health professionals, people who work in the fields of the Arts, education and health, among others. The programme attracts students from around the world and from a wide mix of backgrounds and age groups.
Is This Course For Me?
The course is designed for students with a degree in an appropriate Arts, Social Sciences or Science subject or other subject which provides some basis for this course who would like to progress their careers and clinical work and acquire professional knowledge and skills in psychoanalysis.
Career Opportunities
Graduates have pursued careers in counselling, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychiatric nursing, and consultancy. A number of graduates also go on to further research and a career in academia.
Course Structure
This is a one-year full-time course. Students take six compulsory modules, equivalent to 10 ECTS each, together with a 30 ECTS dissertation, for a total of 90 ECTS.
Course Content
The course typically covers areas such as the unconscious in groups, organisations and society, dreams, dreaming and symbolic life, the emotional world of the child, psychoanalysis and art, clinical states of mind and object relations theory.
Students are required to complete a thesis on a psychoanalytic theme for submission at the end of the programme.
Students take seven compulsory modules, including a series of research tutorials: Psychoanalysis and Art; Dreams, Dreaming and Symbolic Life; The Emotional World of the Child; The Mind-Body Question in Psychoanalysis; Object Relations Theory; The Unconscious in Groups, Organisations and Society; Thesis/ Dissertation. Students are required to complete a thesis on a psychoanalytic theme for submission at the end of the programme.
Study Psychoanalytic Studies (M.Phil. / P.Grad.Dip.) at Trinity
Introduction to the Psychoanalytic Studies (M.Phil. / P.Grad.Dip.) programme at Trinity College Dublin by John O'Connor.
Course Details
Awards
NFQ Level 9Number of Places
15 PlacesNext Intake
September 2025
Course Director
Dr. John O'Connor
Closing Date
31st May 2025
Admission Requirements
Applications are normally accepted only from persons with a first or upper second-class degree (2.1) in an appropriate Arts, Social Sciences or Science subject.
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. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page here.
Course Fees
Click here for a full list of postgraduate fees.
Apply
To apply, click on the relevant Apply Link below
Get in Touch
Telephone Number
+353 (0)1 8962290
Website
www.tcd.ie/psychology/courses/postgraduate/psychoanalytic-studies/
Register Your Interest
Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.
Pursuing this course was one of the best decisions, it was the most evolving and enriching journey which shone my professional as well as intrapersonal skills and meanings. All the lecturers allowed us to envisage a better future. It has revolutionised my belief system and strengthened it with a realistic liberal mental apparatus.
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