Psychology Schools and Programs in Austria

Psychology Studies in Austria

Rathaus (Town hall) in ViennaAustria is a beautiful country, one that is renowned for its excellent system of higher education, particularly when it comes to the fields of medicine and the sciences, including the discipline of psychology. Officially known as the Republic of Austria, it is a landlocked country in Central Europe, bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Hungary and Slovakia to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Lichtenstein to the west. The territory of Austria covers approximately 32,400 square miles (83,900 square kilometers)—a territory that is shared by an estimated 8.5 million permanent residents. The terrain of Austria is very rugged and mountainous, largely due to the presence of the Alps. In fact, only 32 percent of the country is below 1,640 feet (500 meters) in altitude, and its highest point is located at an altitude of 12,461 feet (3,798 meters). The majority of the population speaks local Austro-Bavarian dialects of German as their native language, and German, in its standard form, is the country’s official language. Other local languages that can be heard throughout the country include Hungarian, Croatian and Slovene.

Psychology Education in Austria

According to records, there are five universities in Austria that offer psychology as an undergraduate and graduate major, one of the largest being the University of Innsbruck, located in the Alpine city of Innsbruck, the 5^th largest city in Austria that once played host to the Winter Olympics in 1976. UI, as it is known, was founded in 1669 and is the largest and most important research and education institution in western Austria. Today it plays host to nearly 30,000 students, and employs over 4,000 staff and faculty members.

As it is at all major universities throughout Austria, psychology students at UI gain proficiency in five key areas or specialties:

Theoretical analysis. The ability to assemble conceivable psychological explanations for complex human behavior relying on reasoning and solid evidence.
Methodological proficiency. The ability to solve problems with regard to the human experience, using and evaluating a variety of methods.
Professional collegiality. Students develop skills that allow them to interrelate and communicate with people in a variety of professional contexts, including collaborating on research teams, assisting others in resolving life challenges, and presenting research findings in both oral and written formats.
Self assessment. Students learn to assess themselves using a variety of tools and benchmarks to accurately discern the quality of their own performance in academic, professional, personal, and civic arenas.
Ethical insight and action. The ability to react to the needs of others with sensitivity to various perspectives, including cultural, national, economic, and spiritual differences; to behave interpersonally and, in working with groups, to act with veracity, initiative, and vision in relationship to the Austrian National Code of Regulations and Ethics for Psychologists.

Much like the rest of the European Union, undergraduate psychology programs in Austria typically span three years in duration, with successful completion leading to a Bachelor’s of Science Degree. Most psychology students, however, will go on to earn a Master’s Degree in the discipline, which typically spans an additional two years. In Austria (and in most developed nations throughout Europe and the world) a Master’s Degree is the minimum requirement for students who wish to practice the discipline of psychology professionally.

Why Study Abroad in Austria

In addition to the outstanding education you’ll receive while studying in the country, there are also an abundance of other reasons to choose Austria as your study abroad destination. Some of these include:

New language acquisition. The opportunity to learn or even master a new language is one of the main benefits to studying in Austria; a skill that will ultimately look terrific on a professional resume and bolster your future employment prospects.
Learn the history and culture. Austria has a long and storied history and a very rich culture, with plenty of interesting sites and attractions to see that will collectively allow you to explore the roots, customs and traditions of this proud land.
Make new connections/friends. As a study abroad participant you’ll have the unique opportunity to connect and network with a variety of students and faculty from around the world, and even forge new friendships that will span a lifetime.

Few countries could be more exciting to study in than beautiful Austria, a passive democracy with cultural and economic ties to both eastern and western Europe. With the Alps at your doorstep for outdoor fun and the works of Mozart, Haydn and Strauss playing melodiously in the background, the opportunity to study abroad in Austria is the perfect vehicle through which to explore the history, culture and natural beauty of this grand central European country.