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Faculty of Behavioural and Cultural StudiesPsychology – Master

Psychology master's degree programs from winter semester 2023/24 onwards

Important: Please note changes regarding the content of the Psychology Master's programs. Starting with the winter semester 2023/24, the master's programs Master Psychology in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (Master KPP) and Master Psychology in Research and Application (Master PFA) will be offered. For more information, please visit the homepage of the Department of Psychology.

Students of psychology learn about human experiences and behaviour. Based on empirical research, students attempt to describe, understand and predict human behaviour in all areas of life as well as implications for psychological interventions.

Facts & Formalities

DegreeMaster of Science
Type of programmeConsecutive
Start of programmeWinter semester only
Standard period of study4 semesters
Language(s) of instructionGerman, partial English
Fees and contributions151.05 € / Semester
Application procedureConsecutive master’s programmes with admission restriction
Application deadlinesInformation about deadlines can be obtained after you have put together a degree program.
Part-time optionYes

Course Content

The Master’s degree programme in Psychology builds upon the material learnt in the Bachelor’s degree programme in Psychology; equipping graduates with further specialist knowledge, skills and methods relevant to the subject. The academic programme qualifies students to pursue a career in psychology, or to continue research and study in this area. There are two Master’s programmes for the two different areas of specialisation. Both areas of specialisation convey methodological and diagnostic fundamental skills and knowledge enabling students to earn a general Master of Science in Psychology at the end of the academic programme. 

Areas of specialisation:

Developmental and Clinical Psychology
Students in this special field deal predominantly with developmental psychology and clinical psychology. The area also focusses on differential psychology as well as pedagogical psychology. Students acquire in-depth knowledge of development, individual differences and erroneous development of emotions and cognition. The course also covers the interaction and self-regulation of emotion and cognition, personality development, the fundamentals of psychological disturbances affecting various age groups, and methods of psychological intervention.  

Organisational Behaviour and Adaptive Cognition
Students who specialise in this area will focus on social psychology, as well as on research with greater relevance for practical application in the fields of occupational and organisational psychology. The special field also focusses on general psychology and health psychology. The course considers how individuals in organisations use information and make decisions, how they interact in dyads, groups and organisations, how they influence each other, and how they are influenced by others. The course also covers psychological diagnosis in organisations, human resource management, process and change management, leadership and health management.

Course Structure

The Master’s degree programme in Sociology at Heidelberg University has a modular structure and allows students to chose an area of specialisation: In ten of the 13 modules, students can choose from a wide range of courses. In the first two semesters, students attend basic seminars and lectures from their area of specialisation as well as extension courses from the second area. In the third and fourth semesters, the students only attend courses from their chosen area of specialisation. The Master’s degree programme culminates in the Master’s thesis.