The British Psychoanalytical Society was founded in 1913 by Ernest Jones, at the urging of Sigmund Freud. Over the years, the society has been home to a number of important Psychoanalysts such as Anna Freud, Melanie Klein, Wilfred Bion and Donald Winnicott. The society incorporates the Institute of Psychoanalysis.
In 2016, the society launched an Online Education department, developing online courses in collaboration with members.
You can find out more about the society on the main Institute of Psychoanalysis website.
How our online courses work
You can purchase our courses online, and complete them at your own pace. You will need to watch all of the lectures in a course before you can complete it, after which you will be awarded a certificate.
There are no entry requirements for most courses, and the courses are grouped by difficulty level:
Beginner level
These courses have been designed for people with no previous knowledge of Psychoanalysis. They are open to everyone, with no entry requirements at all.
These courses are appropriate for:
- Undergraduate students of any discipline
- Anyone with an interest in Psychoanalysis
Intermediate level
These courses are designed for people who have taken at least one beginner level course with us.
These courses are appropriate for:
- Students with some level of familiarity of Psychoanalysis
- Those considering training as a Psychoanalyst
Advanced level
These courses are designed for people who have taken at least 2 other courses with us.
They are appropriate for:
- Postgraduate students
- Psychiatrists, Psychoanalysts, Psychotherapists, or others working in the mental health profession
- Those considering training as a Psychoanalyst
Going Further
If you want to go further with your studies, there is more information on the Institute of Psychoanalysis website.