The Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Psychodynamic Counselling is a one-year part-time course offering a broadly based knowledge of psychodynamic theory and practice, as the access point to a four-year, part-time clinical training in psychodynamic counselling/therapy, or as a stand-alone course.

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 PGCert may be taken as a stand-alone course, though it is not a clinical practitioner status course, or it may equip you to apply for the PG Diploma in Psychodynamic Practice or other higher level graduate courses in this area.

The course runs one evening a week over three terms at the Department for Continuing Education and consists of:

• term-time weekly theory-and-practice workshops organised around a key dimension of psychodynamic practice - 'The Psychodynamic Approach', 'Therapeutic Processes and Skills' and 'Therapeutic, Practical and Ethical Implications'
• experiential groups
• two tutorials per term with a course tutor
• two Saturday workshops.

Extensive regular reading and private study of at least 10 hours per week between the taught periods is recommended.

The PGCert course runs annually, while the PGDip and MSt courses are on a two-year cycle. A post-certificate seminar series is held on alternate years, when there is not an intake for the PGDip directly following the PGCert. The seminar series gives the opportunity for consolidation of certificate learning and facilitates a progression in psychodynamic thinking.