Program Overview
Introduction to the Master's Programme in Psychology
The master's programme in Psychology at the University of Vienna aims to teach comprehensive knowledge in the empirical research, description, and explanation of human behaviour and experience. This includes considering biological and socio-cultural basics, as well as applying psychological knowledge to shape human living and working conditions through assessment, counselling, and intervention.
Objectives and Structure
The programme provides students with in-depth knowledge in four thematic areas:
- Work, Economy, and Society
- Development and Education
- Mind and Brain
- Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology
The master's programme consists of 4 semesters and 120 ECTS credits. The instruction language is German, and students need to hold a certificate of German proficiency on the C1 level to start the programme.
Curriculum
The curriculum includes compulsory modules on statistics, research methods, assessment, work and organisational psychology, educational psychology, social and economic psychology, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience. Students also complete a master's thesis seminar, including a master's thesis and a master's examination.
The programme structure is divided into several parts:
- Common Core (50 ECTS)
- Methods, Psychology of Individual Differences, and Assessment (14 ECTS)
- Internship or Questions and Topics in Psychology (10 ECTS)
- Advanced Theoretical Principles (16 ECTS)
- Free Electives (10 ECTS)
- Alternative groups of compulsory modules (36 ECTS each):
- Work, Economy, and Society
- Development and Education
- Mind and Brain
- Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology
- Master's Thesis Seminars (4 ECTS)
Facts and Figures
- Students: 1411
- Graduates in the last academic year: 357
- Number of semesters needed for graduation (median): 5.7
Admission Procedure
Information about the selection procedure is available. Eligible degree programmes at the University of Vienna include Psychology (Bachelor) and Master Access Guide.
Career Prospects
Graduates are qualified to practise independently as psychologists according to the Austrian Psychologengesetz. They can pursue careers in various occupational areas, including work and organisational psychology, educational psychology, research on consumer behaviour, applied social psychology, cognitive sciences, and neurosciences.
Continuing Education
Options for continuing education include the Center for Doctoral Studies, postgraduate programmes at the University of Vienna, and the Uniport career service.
Graduates' Perspective
Graduates rate the degree programme as "good" (grade 2.5) and the level of difficulty as "appropriate" (3.4). They find employment within 4 months after graduation on average and earn an average of 2,551 (women) and 2,656 (men) gross per month within three years after graduation.