The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Psychodynamic Practice is a two year part-time graduate course which forms part of the University of Oxford master’s in psychodynamic studies. The PGDip aims to integrate theoretical knowledge with clinical experience, and to that end you will have a clinical placement, clinical supervision, and be in personal therapy. The PGDip 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.

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

term-time weekly lecture/application sessions, clinical seminars and experiential groups covering topics in the areas of the historical and contemporary theoretical perspectives, clinical approaches to psychotherapy, difference in the clinic, working with diversity, research and reflective practice and short-term work

two tutorials per term with an academic tutor, and one tutorial per term with a clinical tutor

four Saturday workshops

clinical placement to complete a minimum total of 100 clinical hours, with supervision at a minimum 1:6 ratio to clinical hours and

a minimum of 40 hours personal therapy each year, with a psychodynamically trained and course-approved therapist/counsellor.

Attendance

This course is part-time. You will be required to attend some classes, seminars, and workshops in Oxford during the course.