Program Overview

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Introduction to the Psychology Program

The Psychology program at the University of Amsterdam offers a comprehensive education in the field of psychology, with a focus on both theoretical and practical aspects. The program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the principles of psychology, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career in the field.

Program Structure

The Psychology program is structured into several specializations, each with its own unique focus and curriculum. The specializations include:

• Shared programme
• Specialisation Brain & Cognition
• Specialisation Clinical Developmental Psychology
• Specialisation Clinical Neuropsychology
• Specialisation Clinical Psychology
• Specialisation Psychological Methods
• Specialisation Social Psychology
• Specialisation Work & Organisational Psychology

Specialisation Psychological Methods

The Specialisation Psychological Methods is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the methodological and statistical principles that underlie psychological research. The main objectives of this specialization are to:

• Acquire general knowledge of methodological and statistical principles
• Develop general skills in methodology, programming, and data analysis
• Develop a critical yet constructive attitude aimed at improving psychological research methods

Educational Objectives

The educational objectives of the Specialisation Psychological Methods are to prepare students for a diverse set of subsequent study programs, including:

• Master programs in methodology or data science
• Master programs oriented towards academic research
• A minor that complements a major in a substantive psychological topic
• A wide variety of jobs in both business and the public sector

Content and Programme

The content and programme of the Specialisation Psychological Methods include:

• Acquiring important skills in mathematics, programming, and data analysis
• Learning the basics of programming in R and improving understanding of elementary statistical procedures
• Increasing understanding of statistical procedures that underlie contemporary techniques in machine learning and big data analytics
• Introduction to the philosophical and conceptual issues relevant to important debates in methodology
• Introduction to the basic concepts of Bayesian inference

Changes in Specialisation Programme

From the academic year 2022-2023 onwards, the Psychological Methods specialisation has replaced four of its courses:

• Latent Variable Models (7202BM04XY) has been replaced by Modelling Individual Differences (7202BM07XY)
• Fundamentals of Methodology (7202BM02XY) has been replaced by Rethinking Methodology (7202BM08XY)
• Multivariate Statistics & Machine Learning (7202BM03XY) has been replaced by Machine Learning for Psychologists (7202BM09XY)
• Simulation Models, Methods & Statistics XY) has been replaced by Behavioural Research Toolbox XY)

First- or Second Specialisation

If the Specialisation Psychological Methods is chosen as the first specialisation within the bachelor of Psychology, students will continue the programme with two courses: a methods and statistics (M&S) course and the Bachelor's Thesis. If it is chosen as the second specialisation, students need to take the methods and statistics course and do their Bachelor's Thesis at their first specialisation.

Follow-on Programmes

After completing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, students are eligible for a wide range of positions that require competency at Bachelor level. The UvA Psychology department offers three Master's degree programmes in the field of Psychology. Students who complete the Bachelor with Psychological Methods as their first or second specialisation are eligible for the following tracks and programmes at the UvA:

• Track Behavioural Data Science
• Research master's in Psychology

Specifics

Students are expected to collect 5 colloquium points during their Bachelor as a part of their Bachelor’s Thesis, with at least two points from Master Thesis presentations.

Year 2

The curriculum for Year 2 includes: | Sem. 1| Sem. 2| EC
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Basic Skills in Mathematics, Programming & Statistics| | | 6
Modelling Individual Differences| | | 6
Machine Learning for Psychologists| | | 6
Rethinking Methodology| | | 6
Bayesian Statistics| | | 6

Year 3

The curriculum for Year 3 includes: | Sem. 1| Sem. 2| EC
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Behavioural Research Toolbox| | | 6
Bachelor’s Thesis Psychological Methods| | | 12
Restricted-choice electives: Current Topics| | | 12

• Current Topics: Introduction to Sport and Performance Psychology | | | 6
• Current Topics: Clinical Developmental and Health Psychology | | | 6
• Current Topics: Consciousness: From Theory to the Clinic | | | 6
• Current Topics: Polarisation| | | 6
• Current Topics: Stress in Health and Disease | | | 6
• Current Topics: A Clinical Perspective on Today's Issues | | | 6
• Current Topics: Climate Psychology| | | 6
• Current Topics: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace | | | 6
• Current Topics: Introduction to Cultural Psychology| | | 6
• Current Topics: Psychology and AI | | | 6