FAQ's

Can I get clinical experience during the programme? 

Clinical experience
This is not required and is therefore not assessed as part of a PhD. However, some students may wish to gain such experience, either because of its relevance to their research topic or because they hope to enter clinical training during or after their research degree. 
Applying for psychoanalytic training is always supported and encouraged for those interested. Many Unit staff have begun their academic and psychoanalytic careers in parallel, and many of our MSc and PhD students make applications for training. Studying at the Unit does not give any priority to students in their applications to train elsewhere (or even within the Department if applying to its large clinical psychology programme), but the Unit staff are very experienced in advising would-be applicants about the options and procedures and will be pleased to write references for students considered suitable.

Students should be aware that in London unqualified paid clinical jobs, unpaid attachments and even placements where the student pays to gain experience are in great demand. Colleagues usually give priority to those who are either undertaking research of interest to them, or who have been accepted for training once such experience has been obtained, for example at the Institute of Psychoanalysis.

Students often choose to undertake a personal clinical analysis, but it is not required.