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Psychoanalytic Studies

MA

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:
October 2026
Study route:

  • One year full-time, on campus

  • One year full-time, online

  • One year full-time, flexible learning

  • Two years part-time, on campus

  • Two years part-time, online

  • Two years part-time, flexible learning

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

The MA Psychoanalytic Studies provides you with a unique opportunity to critically explore the origins of psychoanalysis, its central concepts, and their application to areas of culture, society, history and politics. Starting with the foundational texts of Sigmund Freud, and tracing the development of psychoanalytic ideas from nineteenth-century Vienna to the global present, you will learn how psychoanalysis has come to provide one of the most important and controversial ways of understanding the forces that shape the mind, and the social and political worlds we live in.

  • Why choose this course?
    • You will be taught by internationally acclaimed, research-active scholars at the forefront of their field.
    • This flexible course offers you on-campus and online teaching. You can also tailor it according to your interests or career aspirations choosing from option modules on related topics and undertaking your own independent research project.

  • What will I learn?

    This course focuses on the interface between psychoanalysis as an evolving clinical practice, as a form of knowledge, and as a mode of critique. You will explore how psychoanalytic thought has been used to illuminate pressing social and political concerns, and examine the controversies that have surrounded its application outside the clinical setting.

    You will be introduced to the key psychoanalytic concepts in detail, starting with Freud and moving through the history of psychoanalysis to contemporary psychoanalytic theory and practice. You will then critically assess the use of psychoanalysis to think about contemporary experiences of gender and sexuality, love and care, violence, war, racism and colonialism. 

  • How will I learn?

    You can study this course full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening which may include lectures, seminars, small-group work and group tasks such as class presentations. We provide you with creative and accessible learning materials including pre-recorded lectures, films, radio broadcasts, artistic work and online resources. You will also be encouraged to seek out psychoanalytic events beyond Birkbeck to write about them regularly.

    You will devise your own independent research project, individually supervised by an expert in your area of interest. You will also choose option modules covering a wide variety of related areas to broaden your knowledge and skills, from race, empire and postcoloniality to mental health, past and present.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: Minimum of two evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time: Minimum of one evening a week, October to July.

  • Flexible Master's

    This course is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

  • 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

  • As well as the core course staff, lectures on our summer programme are given by internationally renowned Birkbeck associates.
  • See our film Spaces of Psychoanalysis (2016), directed by Bartek Dziadosz and produced by Lily Ford of Birkbeck's own Derek Jarman Lab.
  • Birkbeck Library has an extensive teaching collection of books, journals and learning resources in relevant disciplines. You will also be able to use the rich research resources nearby including Senate House Library, the British Library of Political and Economic Science (the LSE Library), the SOAS Library and the British Library.

Modules and Teaching

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Entry requirements

At least a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent, in any discipline relevant to the course, including most humanities and social science disciplines, such as psychology, history, English, languages, sociology, politics, philosophy and cultural studies.

In exceptional circumstances, you will be considered if you do not meet this criterion but have substantial relevant professional experience (for example, in teaching, journalism, social work, counselling and psychotherapy, mediation, development work) and can demonstrate through interview and a written assignment that you have the required academic abilities to complete a Master's-level course.

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

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,375 per year
Full-time home students: £12,750 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,375 per year
Full-time home students: £12,750 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,375 per year
Full-time home students: £12,750 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

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 successfully graduating from this MA Psychoanalytic Studies, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

  • an advanced critical ability in understanding and applying psychoanalytic ideas
  • an understanding of how this links to real-world ideas and contemporary debates
  • a grasp of the complex ethical debates and controversies around different ideas
  • collecting and organising complex materials and writing up clear, well-presented work.

Graduates have pursued a range of career paths in psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, counselling, research, education, journalism and politics. Possible professions include:

  • psychoanalyst
  • psychotherapist
  • counsellor
  • clinical psychologist.

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.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, 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.

Related courses

Study routes for Psychoanalytic Studies (MA)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time