Bachelor's Program in Psychology

Read more about the bachelor’s program in Psychology

The polyvalent bachelor's program in Psychology (B.Sc.) teaches students general psychological principles, research methods, and selected areas of applied psychology.

The general psychological principles studied include theories on general human experiences, and relate to psychological processes such as perceiving or thinking, the behavior of people in groups or the development of a person over their lifetime.

To address scientific questions, you will learn about, and use, research methods such as experiments, assessments, and observations, and perform statistical data analyses.

During modules in applied psychology, you use the general psychological principles learned to solve practical tasks and problems from the field of clinical psychology, for example on the effectiveness of certain therapies, or from the field of work and organizational psychology, for example, on the optimization of organizational structures. Consumer psychology deals with topics like advertising and purchasing decisions, while educational psychology covers learning processes and performances.

The polyvalent program in Psychology (B.Sc.) at the University of Mannheim, which is recognized under professional law, implements the requirements of the new German medical licensing regulations for psychotherapists (Approbationsordnung) of 4 March 2020. Depending on the selected subject-specific focus, the program qualifies students for a master's program in clinical psychology and psychotherapy (study option II) or for a master's program in psychology with additional areas of application (study option I and II). The focus can be chosen upon completion of the third subject-specific semester.

Psychology at the University of Mannheim has repeatedly been ranked well over the years. Mannheim is one of the best universities in this field in Germany. Take a look at the rankings here.

In Mannheim, you can even select a specialization during your bachelor’s program. You can develop your knowledge of Economic Psychology in modules on Work and Organizational Psychology, and Market and Advertising Psychology. You should specialize in Clinical Psychology if you want to go on to complete additional, state-regulated training to become a psychotherapist (Psychotherapeutin/Psychotherapeut) in accordance with the German legislation on psychotherapy (Psychotherapeutengesetz). The fourth option is a specialization in Educational Psychology.

The Bachelor of Science is the basis for a career in one of the many fields that involve Psychology. You could, for example, work in human resources or organizational development, psychotherapy, or product development, or become an educational psychologist or school counselor. Alternatively, you can pursue an academic career.

Provided that they select the respective relevant subject-specific focus, the bachelor's program offers students the opportunity to pursue a career as a psychotherapist in accordance with the requirements of the German psychotherapist training reform act dated 15 November 2019.

Read more about your career prospects

Students of Psychology should

Find out whether the course suits you in the online self-assessment test (OSA-Psych).

Module catalog
The module catalog, which is only available in German, gives you an overview of the courses and their content.

Studying abroad
You can integrate a period of study abroad into your degree program by taking part in one of the many exchange programs in place with leading universities in the US and Europe. We recommend studying abroad in the fifth subject-specific semester. The Program Manager for Psychology can help you to prepare for your semester abroad.

Internships

Students complete a practical training in experimental psychology in the fourth semester and a training in psychological assessment in the fifth and sixth semester during courses. Students also complete a twelve-week internship during the program. If you wish to qualify for a subsequent master's degree with a focus on clinical psychology and psychotherapy, you need to complete an internship in accordance with the German medical licensing regulations. The Internship Office can support you when choosing and completing your internship.

Sample course schedule
This is how your course schedule for the first semester could look like.

The following degree programs are (mainly) taught in German:

Master’s program in Psychology – Work, Economy and Society (M.Sc.) 

Master's Program in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (M.Sc.)

Starting in the fall semester 2022/2023, the University of Mannheim will offer a master's program in clinical psychology and psychotherapy. Graduates of this program are qualified to participate in the licensing examinations for psychotherapists. Choosing the corresponding subject-specific focus in the bachelor's program (see study option II) is a requirement for the master's program in clinical psychology and psychotherapy.

In our selection process for the Bachelor's Program in Psychology, we take the following criteria into account:

• the grade average achieved in your university entrance qualification,
• additionally the result of the voluntary student aptitude test BaPsy-DGPs.

Voluntary aptitude test BaPsy-DGPs

You can earn up to 40 additional points for your application by participating in the voluntary aptitude test BaPsy-DGPs. The BaPsy-DGPs is a subject-specific aptitude test on general cognitive abilities and prior knowledge relevant for a Psychology program. Taking part in the BaPsy-DGPs aptitude test is voluntary. For information on the BaPsy-DGPs voluntary aptitude test, please refer to the website of the BaPsy-DGPs aptitude test.