oxford uni PG Cert in psychodynamic counselling
Has anyone been for an interview for this course? I have one next week and would love to know the sort of things they asked you...
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Reply 1
Hi Louisa, what sort of things did they ask you? And were you successful? My interview is next week!
Reply 2
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I keep typing here and the answer disappears. I got in but can’t remember exact questions. If you can message me your email address I can email answer
Reply 3
Original post
by louisa_haI keep typing here and the answer disappears. I got in but can’t remember exact questions. If you can message me your email address I can email answer
congratulations! How was the course? Any information you are willing to share will be greatly appreciated, thanks so much.
Reply 4
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The course was amazing albeit online. I’m now half way through the PG DIp which is also great.
Be prepared to express how your personal life experience impacts your decision to apply and go down this route. If you can, see if you can link any of it to psychodynamic concepts.
Have something you’ve recently read that had an impact on you in mind and be prepared to think about why it impacted you the way it did.
They’ll ask what your commitments are and whether your are supported outside of the course as it’s quite demanding.
They might ask you about previous therapy. Not in depth but how you found it etc.
They will ask why this course and why Oxford.
My interview was about 30 mins long only. And you usually find out a few weeks later depending on where you come in the order of interviewees.
Happy to answer specifics if you have them. I tried sending a PM so I could give you my email but it won’t let me
Be prepared to express how your personal life experience impacts your decision to apply and go down this route. If you can, see if you can link any of it to psychodynamic concepts.
Have something you’ve recently read that had an impact on you in mind and be prepared to think about why it impacted you the way it did.
They’ll ask what your commitments are and whether your are supported outside of the course as it’s quite demanding.
They might ask you about previous therapy. Not in depth but how you found it etc.
They will ask why this course and why Oxford.
My interview was about 30 mins long only. And you usually find out a few weeks later depending on where you come in the order of interviewees.
Happy to answer specifics if you have them. I tried sending a PM so I could give you my email but it won’t let me
Reply 5
Original post
by louisa_haThe course was amazing albeit online. I’m now half way through the PG DIp which is also great.
Be prepared to express how your personal life experience impacts your decision to apply and go down this route. If you can, see if you can link any of it to psychodynamic concepts.
Have something you’ve recently read that had an impact on you in mind and be prepared to think about why it impacted you the way it did.
They’ll ask what your commitments are and whether your are supported outside of the course as it’s quite demanding.
They might ask you about previous therapy. Not in depth but how you found it etc.
They will ask why this course and why Oxford.
My interview was about 30 mins long only. And you usually find out a few weeks later depending on where you come in the order of interviewees.
Happy to answer specifics if you have them. I tried sending a PM so I could give you my email but it won’t let me
Be prepared to express how your personal life experience impacts your decision to apply and go down this route. If you can, see if you can link any of it to psychodynamic concepts.
Have something you’ve recently read that had an impact on you in mind and be prepared to think about why it impacted you the way it did.
They’ll ask what your commitments are and whether your are supported outside of the course as it’s quite demanding.
They might ask you about previous therapy. Not in depth but how you found it etc.
They will ask why this course and why Oxford.
My interview was about 30 mins long only. And you usually find out a few weeks later depending on where you come in the order of interviewees.
Happy to answer specifics if you have them. I tried sending a PM so I could give you my email but it won’t let me
Wow, thank you for taking the time to write that very detailed response. Were you in full-time employment during the course? I am at the moment but would be willing to give it up/have the means to if that would increase my chances! p.s. I also tried to add my email but it was deleted!
(edited 3 years ago)
Reply 6
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Original post
by jasmine_alice_Wow, thank you for taking the time to write that very detailed response. Were you in full-time employment during the course? I am at the moment but would be willing to give it up/have the means to if that would increase my chances! p.s. I also tried to add my email but it was deleted!
No prob!
I worked part time but plenty of people did the certificate alongside working full time. It’s 3-4 hours a week class once a week and about 10 hours work a week reading etc but that varies. On the PG Dip some work full time but it’s not really ideal. You need to fit in supervision, weekly therapy, min 3 clients, and class per week on top of reading time on the dip. So best to do part time then if you want to retain some sanity
Reply 7
Original post
by louisa_haNo prob!
I worked part time but plenty of people did the certificate alongside working full time. It’s 3-4 hours a week class once a week and about 10 hours work a week reading etc but that varies. On the PG Dip some work full time but it’s not really ideal. You need to fit in supervision, weekly therapy, min 3 clients, and class per week on top of reading time on the dip. So best to do part time then if you want to retain some sanity
I worked part time but plenty of people did the certificate alongside working full time. It’s 3-4 hours a week class once a week and about 10 hours work a week reading etc but that varies. On the PG Dip some work full time but it’s not really ideal. You need to fit in supervision, weekly therapy, min 3 clients, and class per week on top of reading time on the dip. So best to do part time then if you want to retain some sanity
Thank you, that is good to know! I will let you know if I have any more questions before my interview. I really appreciate all the time you have given.
Reply 8
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Original post
by jasmine_alice_Thank you, that is good to know! I will let you know if I have any more questions before my interview. I really appreciate all the time you have given.
You’re welcome. Best of luck!
Reply 9
Hi louisa_ha, I got on the course! Thank you so much for your tips, they definitely helped a lot! I was wondering if you (or anyone else that happens to come across this message) know of any funding opportunities that you or other students on the course used - outside of Oxford scholarships, as I think I am too late to apply for those...Many thanks, Jasmine
Original post
by louisa_haYou’re welcome. Best of luck!
Reply 10
3
Original post
by jasmine_alice_Hi louisa_ha, I got on the course! Thank you so much for your tips, they definitely helped a lot! I was wondering if you (or anyone else that happens to come across this message) know of any funding opportunities that you or other students on the course used - outside of Oxford scholarships, as I think I am too late to apply for those...Many thanks, Jasmine
Amazing. Congratulations! Unfortunately I don’t know of any funding options. It’s financially really a struggle to be honest. Especially with paying for supervision and therapy on top now on the PG Dip.
Reply 11
Original post
by louisa_haAmazing. Congratulations! Unfortunately I don’t know of any funding options. It’s financially really a struggle to be honest. Especially with paying for supervision and therapy on top now on the PG Dip.
Hey Louisa and Jasmine,
Congratulations to you both for getting on the course and to you Louisa for continuing on to the diploma
I’m Helen and thinking about applying for the 2024 course but am a bit unsure about my experience. I have a 2:1 in Psychology, am in personal psychodynamic therapy and have volunteered at a mental health crisis phone line over the past few years, so I’m really passionate but I worry that my experience is not particularly academically or clinically concrete. If you’re comfortable sharing a bit about your experience before the course I would so appreciate it (I tried to DM but my account is too new). Your comments in this thread have already been really helpful in considering the course at this early stage! Thank you x
Reply 12
1
Hi all - resurrecting this post as I've recently been invited to interview for the same course. Really excited!
Can anyone share further details on how best to prepare for the questions? Does anyone know the % of interviewees who make it through to the course? I'm about to begin the reading list in hopes that will help prepare me for any specific questions about psychodynamic theory.
Thank you.
Can anyone share further details on how best to prepare for the questions? Does anyone know the % of interviewees who make it through to the course? I'm about to begin the reading list in hopes that will help prepare me for any specific questions about psychodynamic theory.
Thank you.
Reply 13
Hi all, resurrecting this post as I just applied to Oxford's PG Cert in psychodynamic counseling for this Fall 2025. I'm wondering for those of you who participated in the program, were any of your classmates from the United States? I'm trying to discern the feasibility of transferring my degree (should I be admitted and proceed with MsT at Oxford) should I ever want to move back to the states -- and would love to talk so someone who's been through the program. Thank you!
Reply 14
Original post
by rub3Hi all - resurrecting this post as I've recently been invited to interview for the same course. Really excited!
Can anyone share further details on how best to prepare for the questions? Does anyone know the % of interviewees who make it through to the course? I'm about to begin the reading list in hopes that will help prepare me for any specific questions about psychodynamic theory.
Thank you.
Can anyone share further details on how best to prepare for the questions? Does anyone know the % of interviewees who make it through to the course? I'm about to begin the reading list in hopes that will help prepare me for any specific questions about psychodynamic theory.
Thank you.
Hi rub3, congratulations on the interview! I hope it went well for you, whatever the outcome.
Would you be comfortable sharing any interview advice, particularly around the knowledge of theory? I’ve read a couple of books and feel that I have a good basic knowledge, but I’m not sure whether to focus on demonstrating more in-depth knowledge of a particular theory or theorist.
Many thanks!
Reply 15
Original post
by elanapayHey, I'm not sure if you'l se this before tomorrow but I have an interview tomorrow and would love to know the questions if you have them too! :-)
Hey, hope your interview went well!
I’m just waiting to find out the outcome now after 8 weeks since applying.. it’s nerve wracking isn’t it!? Good luck to you
Reply 16
Hey! I have my interview next week and I was hoping to get any advice or guidance! Already got into LJMU and Roehampton for their MA but this interview is giving me the fear!!
Also on a separate note from anyone who has done this/ have any advice - do you guys think it’s worth the money? The MA at other unis for counselling is around 7k for the full 3 years. That’s the same price as the PgCert alone at Oxford. What’s the advantage of doing the PgCert and then PgDip compared to just going to a 3 years masters, other than the Oxford reputation?
Also on a separate note from anyone who has done this/ have any advice - do you guys think it’s worth the money? The MA at other unis for counselling is around 7k for the full 3 years. That’s the same price as the PgCert alone at Oxford. What’s the advantage of doing the PgCert and then PgDip compared to just going to a 3 years masters, other than the Oxford reputation?
Reply 17
Original post
by HannaheisaHey! I have my interview next week and I was hoping to get any advice or guidance! Already got into LJMU and Roehampton for their MA but this interview is giving me the fear!!
Also on a separate note from anyone who has done this/ have any advice - do you guys think it’s worth the money? The MA at other unis for counselling is around 7k for the full 3 years. That’s the same price as the PgCert alone at Oxford. What’s the advantage of doing the PgCert and then PgDip compared to just going to a 3 years masters, other than the Oxford reputation?
Also on a separate note from anyone who has done this/ have any advice - do you guys think it’s worth the money? The MA at other unis for counselling is around 7k for the full 3 years. That’s the same price as the PgCert alone at Oxford. What’s the advantage of doing the PgCert and then PgDip compared to just going to a 3 years masters, other than the Oxford reputation?
Hi! I got onto to the course for this year!
My advice would be to read up on psychodynamic theory so that you can talk about what you’ve read recently, but mainly to be yourself. I found the interview far less scary than I thought it would be, they are wanting to get a sense of who you are, and what life experiences have brought you to the decision to apply for this particular psychodynamic course. Good luck!
In regards to the money, it’s a tough one. It is a lot of money! I really wanted to study on a psychodynamic-focused course, I looked at integrative courses but personally I want to specialise in one modality first so that I can have a good depth of knowledge before expanding into different modalities. I’d rather expand my knowledge through conferences and future training rather than start off too broad! I’ve been interested in psychodynamic for almost 10 years, so it makes sense for me personally. But I think the financial risk is a big one, so it’s worth weighing up your own choices and priorities! I was recommended the course by someone who studied it and also someone who taught on it, so I know the course has a good reputation - I definitely didn’t apply because of it being at Oxford and I’m not sure the name of the university makes much difference in the world of work after graduating, I would say don’t prioritise it if the decision is just based on Oxford’s reputation, especially there are other courses you are more drawn to! Pick the course that feels right for you, not the name 😊
Reply 18
Hey guys! I got into the course and I wanted to get people’s honest opinions of it! I currently live in Glasgow so moving down will be a massive life change just for a pgcert. I’ve got into Edinburgh too but it’s for person centred which I’m less interested in. Is this course worth it? Also do people know about people’s prospects after? I’m aiming to apply to a Counselling Psychology Doctorate after so would be interesting to see if people know if they have taken similar paths or majority wait a year to just apply to the Oxford pgdip.
Reply 19
Original post
by jasmine_alice_Hi louisa_ha, I got on the course! Thank you so much for your tips, they definitely helped a lot! I was wondering if you (or anyone else that happens to come across this message) know of any funding opportunities that you or other students on the course used - outside of Oxford scholarships, as I think I am too late to apply for those...Many thanks, Jasmine
Hey Jasmine, I wondered whether you would be willing to share your experience on the interview process etc? I applied last year but got rejected and didnt' realise out to anyone for support with the interviews and questions so I'd so super grateful for any advice this time round!
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