Business Psychology, Master of Arts

Who is the Master's in Business Psychology at CBS suitable for?

The Master's programme in Business Psychology (Master of Arts) at CBS University of Applied Sciences in Cologne is aimed at graduates who wish to deepen their psychological and economic knowledge at Master's level. This programme is particularly suitable for individuals with a first academic degree (e.g. Bachelor's) who want to explore the connections between human behaviour and economic processes and apply them in practice. Those seeking a career in personnel development, change management, marketing psychology, organisational consulting or consumer research will find an academic education here that directly links scientific foundations with practical relevance. The programme is primarily aimed at students who aspire to work later in management, HR departments, business consultancy or marketing/sales, but also those who want to develop psychologically sound strategies to solve economic challenges.

Admission Requirements

• First university degree: Admission to the Master's in Business Psychology requires a completed, first degree at university level (e.g. Bachelor's or equivalent qualification).
• Subject-related requirements: Ideally, the first degree should have links to the fields of economics or psychology. Related Bachelor's degrees will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Language level: German language skills are required, as the programme is offered in German.
• No Numerus Clausus: There is no NC restriction for the Master's in Business Psychology at CBS. Selection is based on an individual admissions procedure.
• Personal selection interview: Instead of a fixed minimum grade average, a personal assessment interview is conducted in which motivation and suitability are examined.
• Application period: Applications are accepted all year round. Early application is recommended as places are limited.

Personal Requirements and Recommended Competencies

• Interest in interdisciplinary questions: A fundamental interest in linking psychological and economic aspects is advantageous.
• Analytical thinking skills: The ability to understand and analyse complex connections between human behaviour and economic processes.
• Communication skills: Openness in interaction, teamwork as well as willingness to actively participate in (interactive) projects.
• Initiative: Willingness to actively engage with current business and psychological trends.
• Practice orientation: Openness to practice-oriented teaching methods as well as motivation to apply what has been learned through project work and with corporate partners.

Study Content in Detail

In the Master's programme in Business Psychology at CBS University of Applied Sciences in Cologne, you engage with the interplay of psychological and economic processes within companies as well as in market activities. The curriculum combines fundamental economic and psychological content with specific specialised areas of business psychology.

• Economic Content: This includes Digital Management, Change Management, International Marketing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Business Law & Corporate Governance, as well as International Human Resource Management.
• Psychological and Business-Psychological Content: Fundamental modules such as Basics of Psychology, Psychological Action Competence, or Business Psychological Research prepare you for analysing and managing human behaviour in economic contexts.
• Programme-Specific Focus Areas: Seminars such as Advertising Psychology, Communication & Sales Management, Market Research & Marketing Psychology, Trends in Applied Business Psychology, Values-Oriented Leadership & Employee Relationship Management, Deception in Everyday Life & Business (Offender Psychology), Evidence-Based Management, Human Resource Development & Coaching, as well as Human Centred Design (User Experience & New Media).
• Business Project: Within the framework of the Business Project, you work on practical, real-world tasks from the business sector.
• Soft Skills and Foreign Language Training: The development of interdisciplinary skills, creativity, team and self-management, as well as language training, are an integral part of the studies.
• Electives: Various elective areas offer you the possibility to individually tailor the Master's programme.
• Master’s Thesis: In the fourth semester, you complete your studies with the Master’s thesis, which comprises 24 ECTS and in which you work on an independent, practice-relevant research project.

Course Progression and Organisation

The Master's programme in Business Psychology comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits and is designed as a four-semester full-time course. The start of studies is generally possible in the winter semester. At the beginning, you acquire the fundamental knowledge in economics and psychology. Building on this, from the second semester onward, you deepen specific content in business psychology, supplemented by practical projects and elective modules. At the end of the studies, you complete an independent Master’s thesis.

• Duration: 4 semesters (full-time)
• Language: German
• ECTS: 120
• Practical phases and Business Projects are an integral part of the course progression.
• Soft skill training and foreign language courses accompany all study phases.

Career Prospects & Employment Opportunities

With a Master’s degree in Business Psychology, numerous career prospects open up in middle and upper management positions within companies and organisations:

• Human Resources & HR: Development of personnel and recruiting strategies, support of change and development processes.
• Organisational Development: Planning and implementation of structural changes in companies as well as support of modern transformation projects.
• Marketing & Market Research: Development and evaluation of psychological methods for brand and product positioning, consumer research.
• Change and Innovation Management: Design and control of operational change processes in various industries.
• Management Consulting: Advice on organisational, personnel, and leadership issues.
• Training, Coaching & Personnel Development: Implementation and conception of further training measures.
• Other Fields of Activity: Sales psychology, Human Centred Design, Product Management, as well as psychological diagnostics and evaluation.

Key competences such as the analysis of human behaviour, the development of action recommendations, and the management of change processes make you a sought-after professional at the interface of economics and psychology.

Study Location: Cologne

The programme is offered at the Cologne campus of CBS University of Applied Sciences. The location combines a modern teaching environment with a practice-oriented campus life. You benefit from a broad network of companies in Cologne and the surrounding area, numerous practical projects, and contacts with more than 1,300 CBS partner companies.

• Modern equipment and digital teaching concepts
• Active campus life with networking and career opportunities
• Convenient location in the centre of Cologne

Costs and Financing

The Master's programme in Business Psychology at CBS University of Applied Sciences is a privately financed course. The fees are as follows:

• Per month: 955 Euro
• Per semester: 5,730 Euro
• Total (standard study period of 4 semesters): 22,920 Euro

Various options are available to finance studies, such as BAföG, scholarships, educational loans, and support from employers (for part-time study models). CBS also offers individual advice on study financing and provides information about suitable funding programmes.