I was waitlisted at first, but when I was eventually admitted to the bachelor’s program and came to Mannheim head over heals, I immediately fell in love with the place. I liked the Schloss, my amazing fellow students, the intriguing curriculum and intense hours of studying, our active departmental student committee, and the multicultural and lively city. As the quality of the courses was superb and the program extraordinarily well organized, I decided to stay in Mannheim for my master’s degree. Currently, I’m writing my doctoral thesis while working at the Chair of Education Psychology as an academic staff member.
After completing my bachelor’s program at the University of Mannheim, I knew I wanted to stay. I had always been an active member of one of the many student organizations and often attended activities offered by the university’s extensive sports program. I completed my mandatory internship in a hospital that specialized in psychosomatic medicine, and I liked it so much that I decided to focus on clinical psychology. The master's program also fulfilled my expectations: While my bachelor's program was more theoretical and methodical in nature, I gained hands-on experience as a master’s student, for example by attending practical courses on clinical interviewing and intervention techniques. One of the junior professors at the school introduced me to the fascinating field of child and adolescent psychology, which is why I am about to begin additional training to become a psychotherapist.
Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Standard period of study: 4 semesters (2 years)
ECTS credits: 120
Language of instruction: German
Language requirements: This program requires proof of proficiency in German on C1 level.
Program start: Fall semester (September)
Academic calendar
School: School of Social Sciences
Semester fee: €194,30 (further information)
Tuition fees for international students from non-EU countries: €1,500
Tuition fees for a second degree: €650
In the master’s program in Cognitive and Clinical Psychology (M.Sc.), students will take a closer look at the fields of clinical psychology, psychopathology, and psychotherapy, and build on the research skills in cognitive psychology they have already acquired. During the program, they will gain advanced knowledge of how to plan, carry out, and analyze the results of psychological studies. The in-depth study of classical test theory and modern item response theory will be a valuable addition to their skill set.
With a curriculum that includes practical courses on clinical interviewing and intervention techniques, a new area of study dealing with intervention methods and psychotherapy, and a module in health psychology, the program is clearly geared towards applied clinical psychotherapy. If you want to go on to complete additional, state-regulated training to become a psychotherapist (Psychologischer Psychotherapeut) in accordance with the German legislation on psychotherapy (Psychotherapeutengesetz), this master’s program is the perfect choice. A range of services in this field is offered by the Otto Selz Institute for Applied Psychology (OSI), the University of Mannheim’s research and training center.
To prepare for your master's thesis, you will contribute to ongoing research projects, which is an important component of your studies. Among others, you can choose from the following areas: Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy Research, Cognitive Psychology, Neuropsychology, Clinical Assessment, or Health Psychology.
With its focus on the research areas Cognitive Psychology and Clinical Psychology, the Department of Psychology of the University of Mannheim is one of Germany's leading higher education and research institutions.
Numerous national and international rankings, such as the Times Higher Education Subject Ranking or the CHE University Ranking, have confirmed the outstanding quality of this program of study. They have also declared the University of Mannheim one of the best universities for studying Psychology in Germany.
The master’s degree enables graduates to use scientifically validated psychotherapeutic procedures to diagnose, cure, and alleviate the symptoms of mental disorders, thereby acquiring the required qualification to begin additional training as a psychotherapist (Psychologischer Psychotherapeut).
In addition, they are well prepared for an academic career in research and teaching, and can also carry out research projects independently in pursuit of a doctoral degree or habilitation.
Module catalog
The module catalog, which is only available in German, gives you an overview of the courses and their content.
Studying abroad
In the master’s program in Psychology, spending a semester abroad is optional. If you choose to go abroad, you can do so either in the third or fourth semester. The University of Mannheim is partners with 450 universities around the world. In collaboration with the International Office, the program managers can help you plan a period of study abroad.
Internships
All students enrolled in the master’s program in Psychology complete a mandatory internship of at least eight weeks, either in Germany or abroad. The Mannheim Internship Program (MAP) offers students at the School of Social Sciences of the University of Mannheim exclusive internships during the semester break. The application process is coordinated by the school’s Internship Office only.
Successful graduates can pursue a doctorate at the Center for Doctoral Studies in Social and Behavioral Sciences (CDSS) of the Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences (GESS). The doctoral programs are taught in English.
Apart from that, you can also earn a doctoral degree at one of the psychological chairs of the School of Social Sciences.
Doctoral programs and opportunities at the Schooof Social Science
General information on doctoral studies at the University of Mannheim
Applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology to be admitted to the master’s program in Psychology: Cognitive and Clinical Psychology (M.Sc.). A degree in a different field is sufficient if students obtain at least 50% of the credits in psychology-related subjects. The following requirements must be met:
Furthermore, you must have taken the following modules:
Selection
We take a variety of criteria into account in our selection process:
Conditional admission
If you have not yet completed your bachelor’s program by the application deadline, you may still be admitted to the master’s program as long as you provide proof that you have obtained at least 120 ECTS credits. In this case, your admission to the program is subject to receipt of your degree certificate before you register for your first examination in the master's program (refer to selection statutes).
Selection statutes
You can find the exact requirements for the program in the selection statutes, which are only available in German.
Application deadline
Please note: Due to the current situation in light of coronavirus pandemic, we have modified our application deadlines. The application deadline for the fall semester 2021/2022is expected to be begin on 20 April and end on 31 May 2021.
Current information on the application procedure
Normally, the following deadline applies:
The application deadline is from 15 March to 31 May.
Admission to an advanced semester
If you want to apply for an advanced semester, please contact Ms. Dörr in the Admissions Office.
