Psychology at Germany's #1
Research-oriented and Versatile
The German-taught bachelor’s program in Psychology (B.Sc.) teaches students general psychological principles, research methods, and selected applied psychological subjects. With your bachelor’s degree, you have various career options: You can, for example, start your career in business or you can continue studying in a master’s program. With a master’s degree, you can pursue an academic career, take over a responsible position in HR or decide to become a school counselor. With the according master’s degree, you can gain the approbation in psychotherapy.
The new Bachelor of Science Psychology, which will be introduced in the autumn/
The bachelor’s program in Psychology also qualifies you for other psychological master programmes in different psychological areas depending on the focus you pick.
The program is nationally reaccredited until 31 July 2031.
Studying Psychology at the University of Mannheim was the right choice for me. From the fourth semester onwards, you can choose your own specializations which give you an insight into the different areas of Psychology. My personal highlight is the ability to spend a semester abroad at one of the world’s leading universities. Thanks to the numerous exchange programs, you don’t have to pay the tuition fees, which can be really expensive, and anyone can study abroad.
Studying at one of the top universities for Psychology (2022 CHE University Ranking)
Program Variants
At the end of the 3rd semester, you decide what you want to focus on in your studies and choose your program variant:
- In program variant I, you will deepen three psychological application subjects and complete a minor subject.
- In program variant II, you will deepen your knowledge of clinical psychology in particular and learn about the medical principles of psychotherapy.
Depending on the program variant, you will also complete your internship according to specific requirements. All other contents of the programme are studied in the same way by all students – regardless of the program variant.
Degree plan
The Psychology program: varied insights, excellent job opportunities
Have you always wanted to know what factors influence human behavior? Why do people change their opinion when they are in a group? Is intelligence a coherent concept or does it have multiple manifestations? What causes psychological disorders and how are they diagnosed? These and other questions will be addressed during the bachelor’s program in Psychology.
In modules focusing on the planning of studies, you will learn how to carry out experiments yourself whereas modules in psychological assessment teach you how to develop and apply tests and modules in statistics how to analyze data. Courses on general psychology explore the basic principles of thought, language, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, and perception, which will help you understand how we process and cope with our surroundings. You will also acquire a solid foundation in the fields of developmental psychology, which deals with changes people undergo throughout their lifetime, and social psychology, which studies the behavior of people in groups. Furthermore, you will be introduced to differential psychology, which looks at personality and intelligence – two dimensions that set us apart from each other.
Are you interested in process optimization in a company or in product development and marketing? Or have you always dreamed about becoming a psychotherapist? Or would you like to work as a school counselor in an educational environment? By choosing three out of four applied subjects, Work and Organizational Psychology, Consumer Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, or Educational Psychology, you can tailor the degree program to your individual interests.
Broadening your horizon: the minor
If you do not choose to focus on clinical psychology and psychotherapy but different psychological areas and research in your bachelor’s program you will choose a minor in a related discipline. This way you get to know related disciplines and are better prepared for your working life. Business Administration is among the most popular subjects with lectures in Management and Marketing. However, there is a range of other subjects you can choose from, such as Business Education, Sociology, Political Science, Philosophy, Informatics, and more. You decide!
In study variant II, the extension module U: Medical Principles of Psychotherapy is compulsory instead of the minor.
Studying in a practice-oriented environment: the internship
It is possible to complete the twelve-week mandatory internship either during the lecture period (in addition to your regular courses) or during the semester break or during a period of leave of absence – the decision is up to you. If you want to qualify for a master’s program with a focus on clinical psychology and psychotherapy the internship will take place according to the “Approbationsordnung”. The Internship Office will be happy to support you in finding a suitable internship. It also regularly informs all students at the school about vacancies (internships, part-time student jobs) in its newsletter and internship database.
Application
How do I apply?
The bachelor’s program in Psychology starts every fall semester on 1 September. The University of Mannheim accepts applications every year between 1 June and 15 July. You need to apply online. Click here for comprehensive information on the application process. If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact the Admissions Office.
The University of Mannheim participates in the so-called dialog-oriented service procedure (DoSV). If you want to apply for admission to the first subject-specific semester of a program at the University of Mannheim, you must register for the DoSV at www.hochschulstart.de first. If you have any questions on the application process, please contact the Admissions Office.
For comprehensive information on the application process and the DoSV, please see the guide to applying for admission to a bachelor’s program, which is only available in German.
Please note: International applicants from countries outside of the EU/
EEA cannot take part in the DoSV. Prospective students from these countries are requested to apply to the University of Mannheim directly via the online application process. How are study places allocated?
Study places are allocated based on a selection process.
Applicants whose application for admission to the University of Mannheim is governed by other rules and regulations (e.g. applicants for a second degree, cases of preferential admission or hardship) are exempt from the selection process.
What is the selection process like?
In the selection procedure, the average grade of the university entrance qualification (= Abitur as well as comparable degrees) and other study-relevant achievements are taken into account. In addition, the test result of the voluntary study aptitude test BaPsy-DGPs can be used (subject to the approval of the university committees, expected to take place on 22 March 2023). Certificates of participation in the student selection procedure STAV-Psych BaWü from the year 2022 are treated like a test result of the BaPsy-DGPs and can therefore be taken into account in the selection procedure (subject to the approval of the university committees, expected to take place on 22 March 2023).
On the basis of these criteria, points are awarded and a ranking list is drawn up. A maximum of 120 points can be awarded in total. This total number of points is made up as follows:
1. the average grade of the higher education entrance qualification is converted:
- 15 points are awarded for an average grade of 1.0
- For each increase in the average grade by one tenth, 0.33 points are subtracted from the initial value (15 points).
- The result is rounded to the first decimal place and multiplied by a factor of five.
- A maximum of 75 points can be achieved in this way
2. a maximum of up to 5 points will be awarded for other study-relevant achievements, provided that these are demonstrated in an extent of at least four weeks (28 days) with at least 30 hours per week. The selection committee decides on the study relevance and the number of points to be awarded.
3. up to 40 additional points can be acquired for the selection procedure by taking the voluntary study aptitude test BaPsy-DGPs (subject to the approval of the university committees, expected to take place on 22 March 2023). Certificates of participation in the student selection procedure STAV-Psych BaWü from the year 2022 are treated like a test result of the BaPsy-DGPs; with the test result, up to 40 additional points can be acquired in the selection procedure (subject to the approval of the university committees, expected to take place on 22 March 2023).
You can read this information in the selection statutes. The latest version of the selection statutes can be found on the university's central pages under “Psychology”.
What activities and achievements qualify as being relevant to my application?
Any relevant professional or practical extracurricular activities such as vocational training, part-time jobs, and internships in the following fields:
IT
e.g. software development, IT consulting and support, data analysis, database development and maintenance, programming, business informatics
Journalism/
PR e.g. communications and public relations
Teaching
e.g. tutoring, language lessons
Management
e.g. corporate strategy and corporate philosophy, corporate management, change management, leadership, corporate culture, project management
HR/
organization e.g. personnel recruitment, planning and deployment, personnel support, personnel marketing, personnel management and development
Social work/
health services e.g. care for the elderly and the sick, work with disabled people, young people, and refugees, development cooperation
Business
e.g. marketing and sales, market research and analysis, advertising and sales promotion, product development and management, controlling, managerial accounting
Social commitment
School
e.g. school newspaper, homework supervision, leadership roles at the class or school level, mediator/
arbiter, mentor, participation in environmental clubs, competitions and simulation games (Stock Market Learning, Jugend denkt Zukunft), other outstanding achievements such as foundation of a pupil-run business or winning a maths prize Social sphere
e.g. care for the elderly and the sick, work with disabled people, young people, and refugees, development cooperation
Public sphere
e.g. associations and clubs, volunteer fire department
Political sphere
e.g. active involvement in a party, local or youth council, youth parliament, government simulation game, NGO and/
or foundation Cultural sphere
e.g. theater companies, sports clubs, music societies
Church
e.g. youth work, altar server
Voluntary work e.g. voluntary social year (FSJ), military and civilian service, comparable service in the health care, social or business sector Stays and internships abroad
e.g. high school exchange, time spent as an au pair, work and travel Additional selection criterion: Voluntary study aptitude test BaPsy-DGPs
The Study Aptitude Test Psychology BaPsy-DGPs is a subject-specific study aptitude test that assesses general cognitive abilities and prior knowledge relevant to the study of psychology.
Participation in the study aptitude test BaPsy-DGPs is voluntary. According to the selection statutes, the test result is taken into account with up to 40 additional points in the selection procedure (subject to the approval of the university committees, expected to take place on 22 March 2023).
Further information (e.g. test contents, preparation and test fee) and all news (e.g. test locations and test dates) about the voluntary study aptitude test BaPsy-DGPs can be found on the website of the test provider. Please note that registration for the test is possible from 20.02.2023 up to and including 15.03.2023.
The participation in the voluntary study aptitude test BaPsy-DGPs is prepared by the Online Self Assessment (OSA-Psych). With the OSA-Psych you can find out about the Bachelor Psychology program and test whether it suits you. Good to know: You must also present proof that you have taken the OSA-Psych when you enrol.
How do I apply for admission to an advanced semester?
Students transferring to the University of Mannheim from another university or changing their degree program can apply for admission to an advanced semester. They can join the program in the fall semester (lecture period starts at 1 September).
The University of Mannheim accepts applications every year between 1 June and 15 July.The application must be submitted online to the University of Mannheim.
Click here for comprehensive information on the application process. If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact the Admissions Office.
The BaPsy-DGPs is not considered in the selection procedure for the higher semester.
What criteria is admission to an advanced semester based on?
Admission to semester
Required coursework and examinations 2
An Equivalent to B1: Quantitative Methods I
At least 20 ECTS credits that are eligible for recognition*
3
An Equivalent to B1: Quantitative Methods I
At least 30 ECTS credits that are eligible for recognition*
4 An Equivalent to B1: Quantitative Methods I
An Equivalent to B2: Quantitative Methods II
At least 70 ECTS credits that are eligible for recognition*
5 An Equivalent to B1: Quantitative Methods I
An Equivalent to B2: Quantitative Methods II
At least 90 ECTS credits that are eligible for recognition*
Completion of at least 25 courses (with an exam or coursework), whereby the courses must correspond to those stipulated in the examination regulations (in German) (latest version) for the bachelor’s program in Psychology at the University of Mannheim. The number of outstanding courses must not exceed 15.
*Eligible for recognition means that the courses to be recognized must correspond to those stipulated in the examination regulations (in German) (latest version) for the bachelor’s program in Psychology at the University of Mannheim (only available in German). If you have completed more courses or obtained more credits in a previous program, this cannot be taken into account. Please inform yourself in the latest version of the module catalog for more information about the contents and requirements of the individual modules in the bachelor’s program in Psychology.
Note: From the autumn/
winter semester 2021, the curriculum of the B.Sc. Psychology follows the requirements of the Licensing Regulations for Psychotherapists of 4 March 2020. The examination regulations (from HWS 2021 or later) and the module catalog (from HWS 2022 or later) of this polyvalent B.Sc. Psychology form the basis for an application to a higher semester. Your application for admission to an advanced semester will only be considered if you follow the formal application process and if there are study places available.
It is not possible to make a preliminary assessment of the performance achieved to date.
If you are admitted to the program, the admission notice will inform you about your intended subject semester classification. The Central Examination Board of the University of Mannheim will decide on the final recognition of your achievements from your previous studies after you have submitted a request for recognition. You can submit the request only after you have been enrolled.
What should I keep in mind if I want to change my degree program?
If you wish to change your degree program, you should apply for admission to the second semester of the new program. If you are applying for a study place in the third semester of the new program or later, you must include proof that you have sought advice with your application. You can seek academic advice at any German university that offers a bachelor’s program in Psychology. In Mannheim, the program managers are responsible for advising students on all aspects of changing their degree program.
Academic advising
Do you have any more questions? We’re happy to advise you!
If you have any questions on your degree program (course contents, program structure, stays abroad), don’t hesitate to contact our program managers. For questions relating to the application process, please contact the Admissions Office.
