Anne Landhäußer
89081 Ulm
Psychology deals with the question of human experiences (e.g. How do cognitive and thought processes work? How does learning, memory and speech work? How do motivation and emotions arise?) and human behaviour (e.g. How do humans behave in groups? How do different personalities react to the same stimulus? How does interpersonal communication work?).
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Type Of StudyInformation on the study curriculum
Application Start Of Study137
180
Standard Period Of Study6
Psychology, being the science about human experience and behaviour, tries to explain and unterstand these. Different aspects are studied, depending on the subject.
Whether it is in education, clinics or organisations – psychology also has the purpose of developing models and recommendations to improve the well-being and potential of humans on an individual and societal level.
In honour of the tradition of science at Ulm University, this Bachelor's programme in Psychology is not only practice-relevant but also research-oriented and enables graduates to think and work scientifically.
Because of the new law concerning the education to become a therapist (Psychotherapeutengesetz, PsychThG) the B.Sc. Psychology as well as the M.Sc. Psychology are being modified. Please click here for further information on this topic.
Both the Bachelor's and Master’s programme in Psychology at Ulm University stand out with their strong research focus. From the third semester on, students are involved in research projects and have the opportunity to work with renowned scientists. Innovative learning concepts, small student groups as well as personal support and close interaction with lecturers create an exceptional study experience.
Students acquire thorough expert knowledge and good methodological and application-oriented competences. In order to acquire this, the programme focuses on research and enables the students to work and think scientifically
Well-established cooperations exist with a variety of clinics in the region (e.g. Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Ulm, Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy Ulm) and industrial enterprises. This offers our students numerous opportunities for internships and research projects outside of Ulm University.
Study objectives
The programme teaches fundamental knowledge of Psychology as well as interdisciplinary competences wich are essential for a career in the occupational fields of Psychology. The students gain knowledge of fundamental theories, empirical findings and scientific research methods and learn how to apply it in a practical context. Additional occupation-qualifying competencies complement the specialised knowledge.
The following three building blocks were designed to complement each other: subject-specific knowledge, occupation-qualifying competencies and practical application. This allows graduates a wide range of career entry opportunities and also lays the foundation for a consecutive Master’s programme.
Programme structure
The programme usually consists of 6 semesters in which the students are required to achieve 180 credit points (ECTS) in total.
The study modules are structured into the three areas Introduction/Methods/Diagnostics, Fundamentals and Application. Students are furthermore required to write a Bachelor’s thesis and do an internship.
1. Introduction / Methods / Diagnostics
This field of study offers a fundamental and comprehensive introduction into Psychology and its various research methods. It also teaches the theoretical background on wich the empirical approach in Psychology is based as well as methodological competences for empirical-psychological research and professional practice. Furthermore the students are required to collect a certain amount of hours as test person.
The methodological studies are aided by smaller courses in which the students gain a deeper unterstanding of the material. The understanding of scientific work and the start into ones studies is assisted as well.
2. Basic research subjects
The fundamental subjects teach foundational knowledge of human experience and behaviour in relation to the cognitive and biological bases of behaviour and experience (General Psychology, Biological Psychology) as well as foundational intra- and interpersonal processes (Differential Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology).
3. Application
The applied subjects are divided into three areas:
Work and Organisational Psychology looks at the interrelations between human experience and behaviour and the conditions at work and in organisations, its aim is optimizing the compatibility of individuals’ needs and work conditions.
The field ofClinical Psychology focuses on itself with the causative conditions, diagnosis and therapy of psychological disorders. This area teaches theoretical foundations, methods and systems for the diagnosis and classification as well as approaches for prevention, therapy and rehabilitation of psychological disorders.
Educational Psychology concerns itself with the processes of learning and teaching and the relevant scientifically founded models. Its objective is the implementation of interventions in order to optimise learning and teaching processes.
4. Others components
In addition to tcourses from the Additive Transferable Skills (ASQ) catalogue, students are required to do a work placement for several weeks and attend a non-psychological compulsory elective subject.
The programme ends with the submission of the Bachelor’s thesis, a scientific work in one of the areas of specialisation in Psychology.
The two major foci of research are in the fields of Humans and Technology as well as Humans and Health. Both areas have several departments working together on methodological questions like the refinement of statistical procedures and the development and validation of measuring instruments in order to find feasible anwers to current reasearch topics. Most research projects use elaborate laboratory equipment.
Work in the focus 'Humans and Technology' looks into the development of interactional concepts based on human capabilities and limitations. As Psychology is embedded in the faculty of Computer Sciences, Engeneering and Psycholgy there are well-established and strong cooperations within the faculty
Several projects of the 'Humans and Health' section research the determinants and consequences of health, aspects of change inhealth and the fundamentals of psychological disorders. The Psychotherapeutische Hochschulambulanz provides psychological treatment and conducts scientific studies
A semester abroad through ERASMUS is possible. Most students choose the fifth semester for that. For partner universities and the ERASMUS programme in Psychology see Study abroad.
The ERASMUS coordinator for Psychology is the head of the "Prüfungsausschuss":
international.psychology(at)uni-ulm.de
The International Office is also a great point of contact.
Admissions office Information on admission can be found on the pages of the Zulassungsabteilung (admissions office). The admissions officers will answer any questions regarding admission.
Information for applicants
From the winter semester 2022/23 on there will be an entrance exam (STAV-Psych) incorporated in the admission procedure. Current informations as well as the registration for the exam can be found on the website www.stav-psych.de
The B.Sc. Psychology at Ulm University is accredited since November 2016. It has the ‚Qualitätssiegel der DGPs‘ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychologie) since April 2018.
The Bachelor’s programme qualifies you for psychological routine jobs as well as work under the guidance of a psychologist with a German Diplom (Diplom-Psychologe) or a Master's degree. The standard degree in Psychology is a Master’s degree. Thus, in order to be considered qualified for a profession, a consecutive Master’s programme is usually required.
Potential occupational opportunities are manifold for Psychology graduates:
For some professions (like psychotherapist) the continuing education is regulated by law, for many others additional qualifications are recommended.
Information on admission can be found on the pages of the Zulassungsabteilung (admissions office). The admissions officers will answer any questions regarding admission.
Information for applicants
From the winter semester 2022/23 on there will be an entrance exam (STAV-Psych) incorporated in the admission procedure. Current informations as well as the registration for the exam can be found on the website www.stav-psych.de
The B.Sc. Psychology at Ulm University is accredited since November 2016. It has held the quality seal of the DGPs (German Psychological Society) since April 2018.
The polyvalent B.Sc. Psychology in accordance with the FSPO (subject-specific study and examination regulations) of 2021 fulfils the requirements of and is recognised under professional law according to the "Psychotherapeutengesetz" (German psychotherapists act) and the "Approbationsordnung" (German medical licensing regulations) if certain compulsory elective modules are chosen.