Psychology (B.Sc.)
In this varied Bachelor’s degree program, you will research how people think, feel and act. You will learn how to apply psychological theories and methods to solve problems and understand behavior. These include topics such as personality development, cognition, decision-making and social interaction.
Fact Sheet
- Degree
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
- Admission
- With NC
- Duration of studies
- 6 semesters
- Teaching language
- completely in German
- Faculty
- Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology
- Start of degree program
- Winter semester
- Number of students
- 250-600
- Special ways to study
- 1-subject Bachelor, Part-time degree program
- Special features
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Part-Time Study
In addition to the regular full-time program, the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Psychology can also be completed as a part-time program (50% enrollment). Switching between full-time and part-time programs is only possible as part of an application process and only if a spot is available in the respective program. In addition, the semesters previously completed in the part-time or full-time program will be credited accordingly. In the part-time program, a maximum of 35 ECTS credits may be earned per academic year, and a maximum of 45 ECTS credits may be earned in the academic year in which the bachelor’s thesis is submitted. Exceeding these ECTS credit limits by 5 ECTS credits is permitted on a one-time basis.
What is the degree program about?
In psychology, one observes, describes and explains the experience and behavior of people, their development over the course of life and all of the internal and external causes and conditions that are relevant to this. The Bachelor’s degree program is interdisciplinary – it contains parts from the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.
Psychology is an empirical science, i.e. information, data and experiences are systematically collected through scientific methods such as experiments, surveys or observations. Based on this data about experience and behavior, theories about the psychological structure and functioning are developed and tested. In order to be able to adequately analyze the collected data, it is essential to acquire a knowledge of statistics. But don’t worry: experience shows that even students who didn’t get along very well with mathematics at school can achieve good results in statistics exams thanks to good supervision during their studies. However, a willingness to learn and perform are essential prerequisites for this.
The study of psychology (B.Sc.) is a modularized single-subject bachelor’s degree. Choosing a subsidiary subject in which to complete a module is mandatory. Biology, forensic psychiatry, computer science, linguistic computer science, economics/economics, education, philosophy, physiology, sociology as well as child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy can currently be selected. Upon request, the choice of other subjects offered at FAU as minors can also be approved.
The bachelor’s degree program consists of 20 compulsory modules, which can be viewed in the module handbook.
In addition to an introduction to psychology and the basics of scientific-psychological work, students acquire knowledge of various basic, methodological and application subjects in psychology over the course of their studies. The course is divided into a first phase (basic and orientation phase; GOP) in the first two semesters and a second phase (advanced phase) in semesters 3-6.
In order to successfully complete the basic and orientation phase, the following modules must be completed by the end of the third semester at the latest: Introduction to Psychology, Statistics I, Research Practice I (field research internship) and another module from the basic subjects General Psychology I or II, Differential Psychology , developmental psychology or social psychology.
In the in-depth phase, the applied subjects clinical psychology, psychology in working life and educational psychology are taught. Other integral components of the bachelor’s degree are an 8-week or two 4-week external internships, experimental participation in empirical psychological studies and an empirical thesis, the so-called bachelor’s thesis.
The bachelor’s examination is passed when all course-related module examinations of the basic and orientation phase as well as the advanced phase totaling 180 ECTS points have been passed.
Information on the GOP (Foundations and Orientation Exam)
The first two semesters of the bachelor’s program cover the fundamentals of the discipline. This initial phase of study concludes with the GOP by the end of the third semester at the latest. Through this exam, students are expected to demonstrate that they:
are capable of meeting the academic demands of their chosen fields of study,
in particular, have acquired the methodological skills necessary to successfully continue their studies.
To pass the GOP, the following modules totaling 30 ECTS credits (part-time: 15 ECTS) must be successfully completed by the end of the third semester:
B1: Introduction to Psychology (5 ECTS)
B2: Statistics I (5 ECTS)
B3: Statistics II (5 ECTS)
B18: Research-Oriented Internship Ia (5 ECTS, full-time only)
One of the modules B5, B7, or B8 from the offerings of the first two semesters (10 ECTS, full-time only)
Information on the Supplementary Area
As part of the Supplementary Area (Module B17), students acquire theoretical and practical skills in a related discipline to psychology (e.g., biology, computer science, economics, education, philosophy, neurophysiology, child and adolescent psychiatry, sociology; see the module handbook). Alternatively, such a minor (worth 5 ECTS credits) may also be combined with a three-week external internship.
Information on the Internship
The “Professional Qualifying Activity I” module includes, among other things, an orientation internship (4 weeks) and a Professional Qualifying Activity I internship (6 weeks) in the field of psychotherapy. During these internships, students are expected, among other things, to gain initial practical experience in psychotherapeutic care, familiarize themselves with its framework conditions and interdisciplinary approach, and develop communication skills with patients and other involved parties. Both internships must be completed under the supervision of licensed psychotherapists.
- deep interest in human experience and behavior
- scientific thinking, as the course contains parts from the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences
- good knowledge of mathematics and English
- willingness to introspect, i.e. you must be willing to reflect on yourself
- ability to empathize
On this page, you will find a list of the skills you will acquire, as well as some career paths that are both possible and common with a bachelor’s degree in psychology: https://www.phil.fau.de/studium/nach-dem-studium/vom-studium-zum-beruf/b-sc-psychologie/ .
Admission Requirements and Application
The following information is intended for German applicants as well as domestic applicants with foreign educational qualifications. Different regulations and deadlines may apply to international prospective students.
Admission
- 1st semester: With NC
- Higher semesters: With NC
Application deadline
- Winter semester: 15.07.
- Summer semester: not possible
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants: DSH 2 (written 2 / oral 1) or equivalent
Details and notes
The application deadline for the winter semester for international applicants is July 15th.
In addition to the general qualification for university entrance (Abitur), there are other access options for studying at FAU.
It is possible to apply simultaneously for both the full-time and part-time programs. Applications for the first semester of the Bachelor’s program in Psychology (full-time and part-time) are submitted by EU citizens and domestic students through the “Dialog-Oriented Service Procedure” (DoSV) of the Foundation for University Admissions. 30% of the program’s spots are allocated solely based on high school graduation exam scores.
From winter semester 2025/26, admission to a Bachelor’s degree course in Psychology will be based on the result of the BaPsy (German Psychological Society’s aptitude test) in addition to the Abitur grade. The selection of applicants for the supplementary university selection procedure for the first semester is based 60% on the average grade of the university entrance qualification and 40% on the percentile rank of the BaPsy-DGP. Further information can be found here.
For more information, please visit the FAU website on applying for the first semester in programs with limited enrollment (DOSV/Uni-NC).
Information on transferring from another program or institution
It is possible to apply for admission to a higher semester with transferable credits/ECTS from another degree program or the same degree program (B.Sc. in Psychology) at a German university, provided the semester offered is appropriate (application deadlines: January 15 (summer semester) or July 15 (winter semester)). Available spots in higher semesters are allocated according to various categories: https://www.fau.de/studium/bewerbung-und-zulassung/bewerbung-bachelor-lehramt-staatsexamen/zulassungsbeschrankte-studiengaenge-dosv-uni-nc/bewerbung-hoeheres-fachsemester-dosv-uni-nc/
When transferring credits from universities of applied sciences, there is a risk that this could jeopardize subsequent licensure.
