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Psychodynamics of Human Development

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Key information

Course overview

Please note that this course is now full for October 2026 start. You can apply for October 2027 start when applications open again in October 2026.

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 will I 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 will I 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. 

    This course primarily follows an evening timetable, but please be aware the MSc involves some daytime classes.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Part-time MSc: One evening a week, plus six study days (one per term) on campus, September to July.

    Part-time PG Dip: One evening a week, September to July.

  • Course disclaimer

    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 How will I learn? section.

More 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.

Modules and Teaching

  • Modules

    Course structure

    MSc:

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

    PG Dip:

    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.

    MSc core modules

    PG Dip core modules

  • Teaching

    We encourage innovative and engaging ways of teaching to help ensure you have the best learning experience and provide a range of different modes of learning to help you juggle study with work and other commitments.

    Find out more about our teaching and teaching hours.

    What are the methods of teaching?

    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.

    There are 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.

    Parent-infant observations, which are a compulsory element of the programme, take place for an hour a week outside of standard course hours and are arranged at a time that is mutually convenient for the student and the family. You will also need to allow time after the observation to write up your process notes.

    This course is delivered on Wednesdays between 5pm and 10pm weekly. Study days once a term are between midday and 8pm.

  • How will I be assessed?

    Year 1: Two essays (up to 4000 words) and a two-week ‘take-away’ examination paper (up to 4000 words).

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

    Please see individual modules for more details.

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

Birkbeck Centre for Counselling

A centre of excellence for counselling and psychotherapy courses, suitable for complete beginners as well as those wishing to undertake a full professional training.

Visit the centre

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. You are required to have, or apply for, a full enhanced DBS, including the update service after enrolment.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

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.

  • What are the 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. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the 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 to study on our courses full-time 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 to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    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 (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

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

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

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

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.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

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. Find out more about how to apply.

Related courses

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