MSc Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents at Birkbeck, University of London

Programme overview

This MSc is a well-established counselling and psychotherapy training course that is ideal if you wish to work therapeutically with children and young people. It offers you a thorough grounding in contemporary psychodynamic theory and practice and integrates unique psychosocial and organisational perspectives to facilitate a broad understanding of children in context. It is suitable if you have completed a certificate in counselling skills, or equivalent, and have a substantial amount of experience in a helping profession or in an emotionally supportive role.

Faculty: Birkbeck School of Counselling and Psychotherapy | Duration: Three years part-time, on campus | Study mode: part-time | Intake: October 2027 | Location: London, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

On this course you will learn the fundamentals of psychodynamic theory and practice, using both contemporary resources and source texts. You will be encouraged to take a psychosocial perspective to consider the interplay between our internal and external worlds and how children’s identities are formed in context. You complete nine modules worth a total of 270 credits.

Career pathways

Graduates can pursue career paths in counselling and education. Possible professions include: child psychotherapist, counsellor, educational psychologist, learning mentor, youth worker.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Our standard entry requirements for postgraduate courses are a second-class honours degree (2:2), or equivalent. A minimum of one year full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience of direct work with children and/or adolescents in a professional role and/or helping capacity in an organisational setting is required. You should also have completed a psychodynamic counselling/psychotherapy course at Certificate of Higher Education level (Merit) or equivalent. We ask that students are established in personal therapy with an approved therapist for at least six months before starting this course and that they remain in therapy for the duration of the course. If you are considering an application, you can ask to speak to a training adviser who can explain the course requirements for a personal therapist. Therapy must be once-weekly and in person. We will request a short assignment from non-standard entrants. English language: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component.

Domestic applicants: GBP 8,805 a year (2027/28). Part-time home students; Three years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2027 Source

International applicants: GBP 13,170 a year (2027/28). Part-time international students; Three years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2027 Source

Intake: October 2027

Duration: Three years part-time, on campus

Apply through the official page: https://www.bbk.ac.uk/student-services/admissions/postgraduate/applications

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