Best German Universities for Psychology

Study psychology in Germany

Students will learn about the history of psychology in Germany, the basics of the field, and then delve into the practical applications

There are various courses available, such as a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master’s in Counseling and Psychology in Germany. Entry requirements vary from university to university but generally include a higher education qualification, German or English language proficiency and strong analytical skills.

Germany has many highly-ranked universities that offer programs in Psychology. The Free University of Berlin Master's in psychology in Germany is a popular option, likewise, the Free University of Berlin clinical psychology in Germany is a highly-regarded psychology Master's course.

Visit our degree pages about Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees and PhDs for more information on what to expect from studying in Germany.

All international students from non-EU and non-EEA countries require a visa to study in Germany. Opening a blocked bank account and obtaining health insurance coverage are vital parts of your visa application. Expatrio can assist you in these areas.

Is Germany good for psychology students?

Anyone wishing to study this subject in Germany should have a sound knowledge of German and English as well as good analytical skills and a willingness to interact with other people. Good knowledge of statistics, biology, and chemistry are advantageous for successful psychology studies.

Many psychology degree programs are subject to admission restrictions and also have specific examination regulations. This means that there is a numerus clausus (NC) for psychology studies, on the basis of which the available study places are allocated to applicants. In addition, many universities often have further requirements such as aptitude tests. Studying psychology without NC is only possible for a few degree programs. Therefore, you should pay close attention to the respective admission requirements for the desired study program when making your choice.

Nevertheless, as an international student, you have plenty of access opportunities and low tuition fees (you only have to pay a semester fee), a wide range of excellent courses (e.g. many interdisciplinary courses) and fellow students from all over the world make studying psychology in Germany really appealing!

Can I study psychology in English in Germany?

More and more universities now also offer degree programs in English. This has become increasingly common, especially for Master's. After all, most Master's programs are research-oriented and have a very international flair. And don't worry, many Bachelor's programs are also offered in English and provide a broad range of courses.

Are there tuition fees for psychology Masters?

If you are looking for visa and tuition information for German universities, you may be very surprised: even the best public universities do not charge tuition fees! This is true for psychology, but also for other study programs. You can freely choose from a wide range of courses without having to pay any fees!

Can I get a student visa for a Bachelor's or Master's program?

If you are not from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you need a visa if you wish to study in Germany. You can apply for this in your home country. Please allow enough time to apply for the visa, as it can take several months before the visa is issued.

If you are applying for a Bachelor's program, you need a university entrance qualification recognized in Germany. For a Master's degree, you can refer back to your Bachelor's diploma, which of course must also be recognized by the university.

Where can I study psychology in Germany?

There are in fact multiple options for studying psychology at a German university.

Freiburg University, for example, is a tertiary institution that offers a special program to support international students in the Department of Psychology. Other tertiary institutions may offer a special Master's program for students from all over the world. It's time to decide where exactly you want to study and what you want to focus on. To make it easier for you, we have compiled the top 5 psychology universities for international students in Germany!

Whether you wish to study Organizational Psychology, Economic Psychology, Consumer Psychology, Health Psychology, are looking for more practical training, or have a research orientation: the best psychology universities in Germany are the following:

Jacobs University Bremen

A private, English-speaking university, Jacobs University was founded in 2001 in association with Rice University in Texas. There are over 1,500 students, including many from over 100 countries.

The university is popular with those looking to study psychology in Germany for a Bachelor's or Master's degree. Jacobs University was ranked in the Top 500 universities in the world by the Times Higher Education in 2022.

Admission requirements: International psychology students aiming to study there must apply by June 1st for the fall semester, however, it is possible to apply as early as November 1st for an early decision.

Ruhr University Bochum

Ruhr University Bochum or RUB is one of the largest universities in Germany with almost 43,000 students and 20 faculties. There are over 6,300 international students including more than 1,000 Ph.D. students.

The university opened for the first lectures in 1965 and now offers almost 200-degree programs, the majority of which are taught in German. Courses include Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, and Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience.

Admission requirements: International students aiming to study abroad can apply to RUB online between June 1st and July 15th for the winter semester and December 1st to January 15th for the summer semester.

Mannheim University

The University of Mannheim was founded in 1907 and now offers over 60 courses. Mannheim university is one of the top universities in Germany: The university ranks in the top 20 scientific research institutions in Europe.

There are around 12,000 students attending the university at any given time, with international students from over 100 different countries. The International Campus offers multilingual courses, including a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Psychology: Cognitive Psychology and Clinical Psychology.

Admission requirements: Bachelor's degree courses start in the fall and prospective students can apply between May 15th and July 15th. Master's degree programs usually need to be applied for from March 15th for the winter semester or from October 1st for the summer semester.

TU Dresden

The Technical University of Dresden was founded in 1828. There are over 32,000 students, 15% of whom are from other countries.

In 2012, TU Dresden joined the prestigious list of German Universities of Excellence with just 10 others in the country.

TU Dresden offers a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and several Master's programs and the courses offered have a focus on clinical methods, cognitive-affective neurosciences, or human performance in socio-technical systems.

Admission requirements: Applications may require aptitude tests and proof of German or English language abilities. The majority of degree programs start in the winter semester and deadlines for applications for studying abroad vary per course.

TU Chemnitz

Founded in 1836, the Technical University of Chemnitz has a long history in engineering and the sciences. There are around 3,000 international students as part of the 10,000 strong student body.

TU Chemnitz has a Bachelor's and a Master's degree course in Psychology, both are taught in German.

Admission requirements: Students applying for these courses will have to prove their proficiency in the German language. The application deadline for the summer semester is January 15th and for the winter semester it is July 15th. These dates are applicable to all courses for international and other students.