To apply for the MSc in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at Trinity College Dublin, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Academic Qualifications
: An upper second class honours primary degree or higher is required. Exceptions can be made for those in professions that did not require a primary degree at the time of entry, such as nursing, subject to approval by Trinity’s Graduate Studies Office.
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
This is a two-year course in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, conducted as part of a four-year training programme in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. The course provides students with a comprehensive account of psychoanalytic systems as they have developed from the work of Sigmund Freud, Melanie Klein, Wilfred Bion and Donald Winnicott. The course provides a comprehensive conceptual and critical understanding of the theoretical basis of psychoanalytic psychotherapy, as well as a thorough training in the application of psychoanalytic theory to psychoanalytic clinical practice. Please note that applicants are admitted to the programme as a part of an overall four-year training in either Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy or Adult Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Due to this, an assessment interview process will form a part of the intake process onto the course. Our assessment is designed to work with you around whether this is the right course for you and if it is the right time to engage in it. (The above relates to Adult Strand and Child and Adolescent Strand applicants only). Is This Course For Me? The M.Sc. in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at Trinity College Dublin is designed for individuals who are interested in working within a psychoanalytic framework. This course is suitable for applicants who wish to pursue professional training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, whether they are focused on child and adolescent psychotherapy, adult psychotherapy, or a combination of both. The course is particularly oriented towards those who are keen to explore the theoretical and clinical contributions of key figures in psychoanalysis, such as Sigmund Freud, Melanie Klein, Wilfred Bion, and Donald Winnicott. It combines academic and clinical components, emphasising self-awareness, personal therapy, and infant observation alongside theoretical learning. While the course is designed to provide the first two years of a four-year professional training programme, it also accommodates those who may not wish to continue into the clinical training years. The course balances theoretical knowledge with clinical input and encourages a high level of exploration and discussion of ideas and clinical processes. Please note that years 3 & 4 do not currently take place in Trinity College, and are delivered in a location organised by the respective training institute. For queries relating to years 3 & 4 please contact Ms Noreen Bracken for Child and Adolescent strand queries, and Mr Declan Brady for Adult Strand queries, whose contact details can be found in the accompanying FAQ document linked to on this page. If you are passionate about psychoanalytic psychotherapy and are prepared for the commitment involved, this course could be a great fit for you.