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.