Psychology Schools and Programs in Germany

Psychology Studies in Germany

Psychology in Germany is a university subject in the natural-science tradition: students learn statistics, research methods and diagnostics alongside the main areas of the discipline, and graduate with a Bachelor of Science and then a Master of Science. Since the reform of the Psychotherapeutengesetz, the law on the profession of psychotherapist, the same bachelor's and master's route can also lead to the state licence as a psychotherapist.

SpainExchange lists nine schools in Germany for Psychology, one in each of nine cities: Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt, Freiburg, Munich, Münster, Potsdam, Regensburg and Trier. Eight are universities with full degree programmes. The ninth, FU-BEST in Berlin, is a semester programme of Freie Universität Berlin for visiting international students.

How the degree is organised

The first degree is a Bachelor of Science. At the Universität Potsdam, for example, it has a standard period of six semesters and 180 credits, is taught in German, starts in the winter semester and ends with a bachelor's thesis worth 12 credits. The university describes it as a first professional qualification that gives access to a master's degree.

Master's programmes are where students specialise. The Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) offers four Master of Science programmes in psychology:

• Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, in German
• Wirtschafts-, Organisations- und Sozialpsychologie, in German
• Psychology: Learning Sciences and Human Development, in English
• Neuro-Cognitive Psychology, in English

The Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt has a master's in psychology and a separate master's in clinical psychology and psychotherapy, and from the 2026-27 winter semester adds a master's on AI and digital technology in learning, run with its computer science institute. The University of Münster teaches bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes in psychology. Its bachelor's degree again received the quality seal of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychologie (DGPs), the German psychological society, in 2023.

The route to psychotherapist

Students who want to treat patients need to choose their programmes with care. Under the Psychotherapeutengesetz, the studies that lead to the licence:

• are offered only at universities and equivalent institutions
• last five years full time and carry 300 ECTS credits
• consist of a bachelor's degree, which may be "polyvalent" (open to other careers as well), and a master's degree that builds on it

The licence (Approbation) is granted to graduates who have also passed the state psychotherapy examination and have the German language skills needed for the profession. Both degrees must be recognised for this purpose. Potsdam's bachelor's degree, for instance, has been recognised under the law since August 2021 and is a polyvalent bachelor. A bachelor's degree from another country does not automatically meet these rules, so ask the master's programme before applying.

Admission and language

Places in psychology are usually limited by the universities themselves; these local restrictions are known as NC (numerus clausus). Potsdam publishes its restrictions for each winter semester and lets applicants improve their average grade by up to 1.1 grade points with a voluntary aptitude test, the BaPsy-DGPs.

A school-leaving certificate from an EU or EEA country or Switzerland that gives access to university there is usually accepted. Applicants with other certificates may first need a Studienkolleg, a preparatory course. Applicants from outside the EU and EEA apply through uni-assist or directly to the university. According to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), most institutions require German at B2 level of the CEFR or above, proven with a test such as TestDaF, offered in around 100 countries, or the DSH, taken in Germany. Programmes taught in English ask for proof of English instead.

Costs and visa

DAAD states that state higher education institutions generally charge no tuition fees for bachelor's degrees and most master's degrees. Students from outside the EU pay €1,500 per semester in Baden-Württemberg, the state where Freiburg is, and may be charged fees in Bavaria, where each institution decides. Every student pays a semester contribution of between €70 and €430. DAAD estimates living costs at between €900 and €1,200 per month.

Citizens of EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland only need a valid identity card. Other students usually need a visa from the German embassy or consulate in their home country. According to DAAD, applicants had to prove funds of €992 per month as of 1 January 2025, and a visa can take months to be issued.

Studying for a semester

Visiting students have options that do not require a full degree. FU-BEST in Berlin lists a course on "The Psychology and Politics of Trauma" among its semester courses. Exchange students at the universities can often study for one or two semesters without the German certificate asked of degree students, depending on the institution.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a psychology degree take in Germany?

A bachelor's degree takes six semesters and 180 credits at the Universität Potsdam, for example. The bachelor's and master's route to the psychotherapist licence takes five years and 300 ECTS credits in total.

Can I study Psychology in Germany in English?

Bachelor's degrees such as Potsdam's are taught in German. Some master's programmes are in English: LMU offers two, Psychology: Learning Sciences and Human Development and Neuro-Cognitive Psychology.

How do I become a psychotherapist in Germany?

By completing a recognised bachelor's and master's degree, passing the state psychotherapy examination and applying for the licence (Approbation). The licence also requires sufficient German.

Is it hard to get a place in Psychology?

Places are usually restricted by the universities. Potsdam, for example, applies an NC and takes into account a voluntary aptitude test that can improve the average grade by up to 1.1 grade points.