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Psychodynamics of Human Development

MSc, PG Dip

Application options include:

Part-time
On campus Online

Course Overview

This MSc Psychodynamics of Human Development is taught jointly by the British Psychotherapy Foundation (BPF) and the Centre for Counselling at Birkbeck. It provides you with an understanding of human development from both a psychoanalytic/Jungian and a psychosocial perspective.

Why choose this course?

  • As teaching on this course takes place in Birkbeck and the British Psychotherapy Foundation, you will benefit from the expertise of both academics and clinicians who are experts in the field.
  • It is a pre-clinical foundation course that offers you a two-year mother-infant observation and fulfils the entry requirements for a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Doctorate, or for application to further clinical training, such as our MSc Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents.

What you will learn

This course offers you a Jungian and a psychoanalytic stream, as well as the chance to carry out a theoretical or an empirical research project as part of your final dissertation. You will also explore a distinctive approach to social and psychological research, characterised by a focus on the interweaving of psychological and social concerns and linking especially strongly with psychoanalytic theory, social theory and critical qualitative methodologies.

How you will learn

This course is taught through large and small group seminars, theory lectures and study days which focus on research methodologies in preparation for the final-year dissertation. Seminars take place at the BPF in Kilburn, North London, or are delivered by Birkbeck through online classes and study days.

Throughout the course you will be exposed to a range of different teaching resources and will learn from an academic, experiential and personal perspective. We employ student-centred teaching techniques that foster discussion, creative and collaborative learning opportunities for you. Our teaching resources are based on contemporary psychodynamic, psychoanalytic/Jungian and psychosocial resources and source texts, and our teaching is grounded in a contemporary vision of therapeutic approaches.

We offer this course as a Master’s or Postgraduate Diploma. For the Diploma you study fewer modules and do not complete a dissertation.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Psychodynamics of Human Development (MSc, PG Dip).

Key information and modules

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Highlights

  • This course offers a valuable opportunity to combine the knowledge of practising clinicians from a leading psychotherapy training institution with theoretical and critical learning offered by an internationally recognised university department.
  • Teaching takes place in both the clinical and academic setting.
  • The infant observation component of this course provides you with experiential learning that can be accredited for psychotherapy training.
  • Following your interests, you will have the opportunity to attend additional lectures, workshops and activities including those hosted by the Birkbeck Centre for Counselling, such as their annual conference.
Come and meet us Request a prospectus Contact us

Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the Key Information section under Attendance.

  • Entry Requirements Entry Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    Experience of working with children, adults or families is an advantage.

    Our standard postgraduate entry requirement is a second-class honours degree (2:2 or above), or an equivalent international qualification.

    Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

    On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

    Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

    English language requirements

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

    Visa and funding requirements

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol as a student on Birkbeck's part-time courses (with the exception of some modules).

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

    Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university, you may have accumulated credits through the modules you studied. It may be possible to transfer these credits from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

  • Fees Fees

    Fees

    Psychodynamics of Human Development MSc: 2 years part-time, on campus or online, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting September 2025

    Part-time home students: £8,340 per year
    Part-time international students: £12,300 per year

    Psychodynamics of Human Development PG Dip: 2 years part-time, on campus or online, starting in academic year 2025-26

    Academic year 2025–26, starting September 2025

    Part-time home students, Year 1: £8,340 per year
    Part-time home students, Year 2: £2,780 per year
    Full-time home students: £ per year
    Part-time international students, Year 1: £12,300 per year
    Part-time international students, Year 2: £4,100 per year
    Full-time international students: £ per year

    Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the College Fees Policy.

    If you’ve studied at Birkbeck before and successfully completed an award with us, take advantage of our Lifelong Learning Guarantee to gain a discount on the tuition fee of this course.

    Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

    International scholarships

    We provide a range of scholarships for eligible international students, including our Global Future Scholarship. Discover if you are eligible for a scholarship.

  • Teaching and Assessment Teaching and Assessment

    Teaching

    At Birkbeck, most of our courses are taught in the evening and all of our teaching is designed to support students who are juggling evening study with work and other commitments. We actively encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching, to ensure our students have the best learning experience.

    Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

    In addition, you will have access to pastoral support via a named Personal Tutor.

    Methods of teaching on this course

    Academic theory seminars, seminars on infant observation and work discussion, all in separate psychoanalytic and Jungian analytic streams. Infant observation and work study seminar groups are small and provide a supportive framework for experiential learning.

    Programmed study days (one each term) for both streams together, plus joint seminars in preparation for the dissertation. If you are studying this degree online, you will also need to attend our study days in person. 

    Teaching hours

    Our evening hours are normally between 6pm and 9pm (6-7.30pm and 7.30-9pm). Some programmes also offer teaching during the day and this will be clearly signposted to you where it is available.

    On our taught courses, you will have scheduled teaching and study sessions each year. Scheduled teaching sessions may include lectures, seminars, workshops or laboratory work. Depending on the modules you take, you may also have additional scheduled academic activities, such as tutorials, dissertation supervision, practical classes, visits and field trips. On our taught courses, the actual amount of time you spend in the classroom and in contact with your lecturers will depend on your course, the option modules you select and when you undertake your final-year project (if applicable).

    Alongside your contact hours, you will also undertake assessment activities and independent learning outside of class. The amount of time you need to allocate to study both for taught sessions (this might include online sessions and/or in-person sessions) and personal study will depend on how much you are studying during the year and whether you are studying full time or part time.

    Birkbeck’s courses are made up of modules and allocated ‘credit’. One credit is equivalent to ten hours of learning time. Modules are usually in 15, 30 or 60 credit units. A 15-credit module will mean around 150 hours of learning, including taught sessions and independent study or group work. This is spread out over the whole period of that module and includes the time you spend on any assessments, including in examinations, preparing and writing assessments or engaged in practical work as well as any study support sessions to help you in your learning.

    On our distance-learning and blended-learning courses, discussion, collaboration and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students is encouraged and enabled through various learning technologies.

    Timetables

    Timetables are usually available from September onwards and you can access your personalised timetable via your My Birkbeck Profile online (if you have been invited to enrol).

    Indicative class size

    Class sizes vary, depending on your course, the module you are undertaking, and the method of teaching. For example, lectures are presented to larger groups, whereas seminars usually consist of small, interactive groups led by a tutor.

    Independent learning

    On our taught courses, much of your time outside of class will be spent on self-directed, independent learning, including preparing for classes and following up afterwards. This will usually include, but is not limited to, reading books and journal articles, undertaking research, working on coursework and assignments, and preparing for presentations and assessments.

    Independent learning is absolutely vital to your success as a student. Everyone is different, and the study time required varies topic by topic, but, as a guide, expect to schedule up to five hours of self-study for each hour of teaching.

    Study skills and additional support

    Birkbeck offers study and learning support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed. Our Learning Development Service can help you in the following areas:

    • academic skills (including planning your workload, research, writing, exam preparation and writing a dissertation)
    • written English (including structure, punctuation and grammar)
    • numerical skills (basic mathematics and statistics).

    Our Disability and Dyslexia Service can support you if you have additional learning needs resulting from a disability or from dyslexia.

    Our Counselling Service can support you if you are struggling with emotional or psychological difficulties during your studies.

    Our Mental Health Advisory Service can support you if you are experiencing short- or long-term mental health difficulties during your studies.

    Assessment

    Assessment is an integral part of your university studies and usually consists of a combination of coursework and examinations, although this will vary from course to course - on some of our courses, assessment is entirely by coursework. The methods of assessment on this course are specified below under 'Methods of assessment on this course'. You will need to allow time to complete coursework and prepare for exams.

    Where a course has unseen written examinations, these may be held termly, but, on the majority of our courses, exams are usually taken in the Summer term, during May to June. Exams may be held at other times of the year as well. In most cases, exams are held during the day on a weekday - if you have daytime commitments, you will need to make arrangements for daytime attendance - but some exams are held in the evening. Exam timetables are published online.

    Find out more about assessment at Birkbeck, including guidance on assessment, feedback and our assessment offences policy.

    Methods of assessment on this course

    Year 1: two essays (2500-3000 words) and a two-week ‘take-away’ examination paper.

    Year 2: one infant observation essay (5000-8000 words) and (MSc only) a dissertation (10,000-15,000 words).

  • Careers and employability Careers and employability

    Careers and employability

    On successful completion of this MSc Psychodynamics of Human Development you will have gained valuable transferable skills including:

    • a critical understanding of psychoanalytic or Jungian analytic approaches
    • development of a critical approach to psychosocial perspectives
    • observational skills
    • reflexivity
    • research skills and knowledge of methodologies.

    Graduates can pursue career paths in psychotherapy, psychology and education. They can pursue roles in social and community care, nursing and mental health care. They can also apply for training in child and adolescent psychotherapy, adult psychoanalytic psychotherapy or Jungian analytic psychotherapy. Possible professions include:

    • psychotherapist
    • clinical psychologist
    • further education lecturer
    • educational psychologist
    • careers adviser.

    Read about how you can become a professional counsellor or psychotherapist.

    We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

  • How to apply How to apply

    How to apply

    You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

    You will need to prove your identity when you apply - read more about suitable forms of identification.

    When to apply

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places on your chosen course and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

    You will also receive information about subject-specific induction sessions over the summer.

    Help and advice with your application

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

    Apply for your course

    Apply for your course using the apply now button in the key information section.

Visit the Birkbeck Centre for Counselling

Related courses

Course structure

Course structure listing

Course structure and modules for Psychodynamics of Human Development MSc: 2 years part-time, on campus or online, starting September 2025

The course consists of five core modules worth a total of 180 credits, including a dissertation, which cover:

  • psychoanalytic or Jungian analytic theory of the nature and development of mental life and key concepts used in clinical work
  • infant and child development through observation and weekly discussion seminars
  • the application of psychoanalytic or Jungian analytic theory to the work setting
  • research methodology and critical analysis.

All students, whether studying on campus or online, will also need to attend six study days (one per term) in person.

Core modules

Course structure and modules for Psychodynamics of Human Development PG Dip: 2 years part-time, on campus or online, starting September 2025

The course consists of four core modules, worth a total of 120 credits, which cover:

  • psychoanalytic or Jungian analytic theory of the nature and development of mental life and key concepts used in clinical work
  • infant and child development through observation and weekly discussion seminars
  • the application of psychoanalytic or Jungian analytic theory to the work setting
  • research methodology and critical analysis.
Core modules