The aims of the one-year programme are to:

• enable students with substantive experience in other psychologically-based modalities to acquire a depth knowledge and understanding of the theoretical models, principles and practice of psychosynthesis.
• relate these to clinical counselling settings to undertake and participate in a process of self-exploration and personal/professional development in ways that supplement the psychosynthesis curriculum.
• prepare students for further study in Psychosynthesis Psychotherapy. 

This programme covers the theoretical models, principles and practice of psychosynthesis, so that these can be related to clinical practice.

• This innovative, new programme is the only one of its kind in the country;
• This programme offers the opportunity to study at the country’s oldest psychosynthesis institution.

•  Completion of Essentials of Psychosynthesis or equivalent;

• Recognised qualification in a psychologically-based modality demonstrating substantial process-oriented clinical experience (e,g qualified counsellors, therapists, psychologists) representing a minimum of 60M Level credits or equivalent.

Programme structure

This is a one year, part-time programme composed of 10 training weekends. There are two course intakes each calendar year; February and September. The academic year consists of two semesters with breaks during August and the Christmas holiday period. Students have 2 modes of attendance: block format (Friday - Monday) or intermonth format (Friday - Sunday plus 4 weekday evenings a month). Each format is subject to sufficient numbers.

Learning environment

Thematic experiential and discursive seminars, lectures, group and individual tutorials, relational dynamics groups, practicums and supervised clinical or applied practice, live demonstrations, individual therapy, individual reading and study, essay writing and psychological journal-writing.

Completion of this programme would enable practitioners to include psychosynthesis in their practice, and attract a wider client group.

Opportunity to develop own ideas/work in groups, research specific topics.

Completion provides an eligible route into the MA in Psychosynthesis Psychotherapy. Completion of clinical component is constituent to UKCP registration.

Graduates of the programme could practise as psychosynthesis counsellors, or use psychosynthesis techniques in applied settings. There might also be opportunities for teaching and lecturing available.

• Each student has an individual pastoral Student Tutor for personal and individualised support with their academic work;
• Students are also assigned to tutorial groups, where they will give and receive peer support.

On a practical level:

• The Trust has its own library, and students are also provided with original reading material, and may purchase additional articles and resources;
• Students have access to UEL’s Stratford Campus library, which houses the School of Psychology collection;
• Books required for the programme are on sale from the Trust office, and can also be sent to students for a small fee;
• There is a Common Room, equipped with a microwave etc, for the use of the students;
• A Meditation room is available for students requiring a quiet space.

• Spring: 1 Feb – 31 August
• Autumn: 1 Sept – 31 Jan.

Before this programme started the University checked that:

• there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
• adequate resources would be in place;
• the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
• the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
• the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
• the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.

This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.

The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:

• external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
• statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
• student feedback.

Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University’s Quality Standing Committee.

Once every six years the University undertakes an in-depth review of the whole field. This is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.

This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures.

The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:

• To ensure the standard of the programme;
• To ensure that justice is done to individual students.

External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:

• Approving exam papers/assignments;
• Attending assessment boards;
• Reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks;
• Ensuring that regulations are followed;
• Providing feedback to the University through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future.

The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:

• Programme completion and programme evaluation forms;
• Community meetings every semester;
• Student representatives meet every semester with the Staff Team;
• End of Year Assessment Interview;
• Informal methods, such as during tutorials;
• Anonymous feedback may also be given.

Students are notified of the action taken through:

• Circulating the minutes of the relevant meetings;
• Feedback from Student representatives;
• Regular written updates from Director of Programmes;
• Verbally, during tutorials and other meetings.

Further information about this programme is available from:

• The UEL web site (http://www.uel.ac.uk)
• The student handbook
• Module study guides
• UEL Manual of General Regulations and Policies http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
• UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
• Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
• The Psychosynthesis and Education Trust's website http://www.psychosynthesis.edu
• UEL’s School of Psychology’s website http://www.uel.ac.uk/psychology/
• Email: enquiries@petrust.org.uk
• Tel: 020 7403 2100
• Fax: 020 7403 5562