Ilse Seglow
Bursary Fund
In memory of Ilse Seglow (1900-1984) her family has set up a bursary. This is intended to provide financial support to those with limited means so enabling them to further their professional development and training in psychoanalytically orientated psychotherapy.
Ilse was one of those who pioneered psychoanalytically orientated psychotherapy in Britain and later in post war Germany. She was part of the formative generation of people influenced by Karl Abraham an influential German psychoanalyst, and a collaborator of Sigmund Freud.
She came to Britain as a refugee from Nazi Germany in 1937. She studied at the LSE and later worked at as several so-called Child Guidance Clinics in and around London. In 1949 she went to Vienna to help set up a post-war Child Guidance clinic. In 1973 she set up the London Centre for Psychotherapy which merged with other psychotherapeutic organisations to form the present bpf as we know it today. She was deeply committed to clinical excellence and as well as the training and development of future psychotherapists.
In recognition of Ilse’s dedication and her belief in widening access to training, a new Ilse Seglow Bursary has been set up in the belief that the study and practice of psychotherapy should remain open to those with the commitment to explore the complexities of how the human mind works.
Purpose of this Bursary Fund
This bursary is designed for individuals who have accepted a place and/or have enrolled in either:
- The Platform Year (Year 1) of the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training (PPA)
- The first clinical year of the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training (bpf North)
The bursary supports first-year trainees, recognising the added expenses they may incur, such as undertaking an Infant Observation course, attending a Clinical Placement, or completing a Psychiatric Placement.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be enrolled in or have accepted an offer for entry into the first year of the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training (PPA) or the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training (bpf North).
- This bursary aims to assist first-year trainees, acknowledging the extra financial responsibilities they may face, such as completing an Infant Observation course, a Clinical Placement, or a Psychiatric Placement.
- Applicants must demonstrate financial need and provide evidence of financial circumstances if requested. Applicants must demonstrate a serious commitment to continuing with the full clinical training, participating in its various activities and contributing to the bpf and the wider psychoanalytic community post-qualification.
Terms & Conditions
- One bursary is granted annually, which covers the fees for the first year of a bpf psychoanalytic psychotherapy training programme. Funds are applied directly to course fees and will not be disbursed to the recipient.
- You may be asked to provide further documentation to confirm your eligibility.
- If you decide to withdraw from your programme, you must notify the Training Manager, Course Director or the Training Committee Chair of your decision. The bursary will no longer apply after the date you leave your studies. In most circumstances you will not be asked to repay any of the bursary funds used to cover your fees prior to that date.
- Should you defer your studies or take a leave of absence, the bursary may be held for up to a maximum of twenty-four months. If your deferral exceeds this period, the bursary may be forfeited. Please refer to the bpf’s Student Policies and regulations on our website: Student Policies and Regulations.
Please note that all applications must be truthful and complete. Providing false information could result in having to repay any fees covered by the awarded bursary.
How to Apply
Applications for the bursary must be submitted by Friday, 3 July 2026.
Step 1: Secure a place on the PPA Platform Year (Year 1) or on the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training (bpf North) at the British Psychotherapy Foundation (bpf). You must have received and officially accepted an offer or have completed your enrolment.
Step 2: Once your place is confirmed, after paying a non-refundable deposit fee if applicable, please contact the relevant Training Manager to request a bursary application form. You can find the relevant contact details on the bpf website: Contact Us.
Step 3: Complete the bursary application form in full. Be sure to provide all required documents, including evidence of your financial circumstances (if applicable) and a statement of your commitment to the training programme.
Step 4: Submit your completed application and supporting documentation by the specified deadline (Friday, 3 July 2026).
Step 5: Await confirmation. Decisions will be communicated by Monday, 31 August 2026, and bursary awards will be issued at the start of the following term.