In order to undertake this course we ask that you:

• have a working knowledge of psychoanalytic theories and technique
• have a graduate degree
• commit to undertaking intensive, personal psychoanalytic psychotherapy with a BPC-registered psychoanalytic psychotherapist or psychoanalyst of at least five years standing for the duration of the course, meeting a minimum of three times per week
• have a minimum of three years’ clinical experience, including at least 12 months of work with a patient in once weekly psychotherapy, supervised by a highly experienced BPC registered Psychodynamic Psychotherapist or BPC-registered psychoanalytic psychotherapist or psychoanalyst.

We recommend that people applying to this course have had experience of at least two years of a minimum of once weekly personal psychotherapy with a BPC-registered psychoanalytic psychotherapist or psychoanalyst of at least five years standing, but this is not a requirement to be able to apply.

Please note that the requirements have recently been updated and apply for 2025 entry.

Please note that the below is subject to change.

Assessment

To achieve professional accreditation, you will be required to submit a 10,000 word written case study for assessment.

Your progress is assessed throughout the course through our termly progression board. These progression board meetings comprise all the key people involved in your training – your tutor, your supervisors and the course lead. They take place in December, March and July each year.

Formal reports from your supervisors, alongside feedback from your tutor. are discussed at the board and this information informs the board’s decisions regarding whether you are given permission to progress further in the training.

When you have completed all of the clinical and academic requirements, the board decides whether you have reached the level required for qualification.

Attendance

All teaching takes places on Thursday afternoons from 1.45pm to 5.00pm during term time.

However, you will be expected to be present for the majority of the day on Thursdays as there are other key clinical meetings and supervisions that take place in the morning and lunch time period.

This is a demanding course and whilst it can be done on a part-time basis you should expect to spend a minimum of 20 hours a week on the key components.

The key components include the academic afternoon on a Thursday, clinical work with patients, personal analytic therapy (a minimum of three sessions per week), supervision and clinical unit meetings. In addition, you will need to allow time for writing up sessions, reading theoretical texts and attending to clinical admin.

Graduates have gone on to work in a wide variety of settings including senior posts in the NHS. They have also gone on to work in third sector and independent settings.