Business Psychology, Master of Arts

Who is the part-time Master's degree in Business Psychology suitable for?

The part-time Master's degree in Business Psychology at CBS University of Applied Sciences is aimed at graduates of business-related Bachelor's programmes who wish to expand their knowledge with psychological skills. The course is particularly suitable for professionals seeking a demanding management or leadership position or who have already gained professional experience in business administration, human resources, or communication psychology. This includes future HR managers, organisational developers, marketing psychologists, as well as executives in the area of change management. The programme appeals to individuals interested in analysing and managing human behaviour in business organisations and who want to hold responsible key positions at the interface of "people and business".

What admission requirements apply for the Master in Business Psychology at CBS?

• Completed undergraduate degree: A Bachelor's degree in business-related subjects (e.g. Business Administration, Economics, Business Psychology, International Management) from a recognised university or a comparable international educational institution is required.
• Personal selection process: Admission is not based on a Numerus Clausus (NC), but through a personal assessment interview. Motivation, strengths and potential are determined in this interview.
• Application deadline: Applications are possible year-round. The start of studies is usually at the winter semester.
• Further evidence: The university individually checks whether the admission requirements are met. Applicants must provide appropriate documents (e.g. degree certificates).

Access is also possible with a Bachelor's degree from a foreign university, provided equivalence is recognised. If degree certificates are not yet available at the time of application, the current certificate can be submitted initially.

Which personal requirements should you bring?

• Interest in business and psychological issues in a corporate context
• Willingness to flexibly combine work and study
• Analytical and problem-solving thinking as well as strong communication skills
• Teamwork skills and openness to different perspectives, especially in dealing with diversity management and talent development
• Basic knowledge of academic work, especially from the first degree
• Self-motivation, sense of responsibility and the ability to learn independently

In summary, the Master's degree in Business Psychology at CBS is ideal for professionals with an undergraduate degree in business sciences who wish to qualify practically for demanding tasks at the interface of management and psychology.

Study Content in Detail: What Awaits You in the Master’s in Business Psychology?

In the part-time Master’s programme in Business Psychology at CBS University of Applied Sciences, you combine economic knowledge with solid psychological expertise. The programme focuses on modern topics such as Diversity Management, Talent Management, and psychological aspects of negotiation management. The aim is to analyse and deliberately influence human behaviour in corporate contexts.

You will engage with the following content, among others:

• Fundamentals of Economics: Business Administration, Change Management, Digital Management
• General and Applied Psychology: Basics of Psychology, Psychological Action Competence, Business Psychology Research
• Specialisations in Business Psychology: Trends in Applied Business Psychology, Value-Oriented Leadership & Employee Relationship Management, Deception in Everyday Life and Business (Offender Psychology), Selected Fields of Work and Organisational Psychology, Evidence-Based Management
• Marketing and Consumer Psychology: Market Research & Marketing Psychology, Advertising Psychology, Communication & Sales Management, International Marketing
• Human Resource Management and Consulting: International Human Resource Management, Personnel Development & Coaching, Aptitude Diagnostics
• Transversal Skills: Team & Self-Management, Innovation Management, Leadership Behaviour
• Practical Reflection and Transfer: Practical Reflection, Transfer Project, Preparation and Writing of the Master’s Thesis
• Law and Ethics: Business Law & Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility
• Digital Topics: Human Centred Design (User Experience & New Media), Psychology in Digital Contexts

The programme places great importance on practical relevance through projects, business cases and collaboration with corporate partners. Modern methods such as evidence-based management as well as current focal points are regularly integrated.

Study Structure: How the Master’s Programme Is Organised

The programme is designed for a duration of 5 semesters and comprises 120 ECTS credits. You study part-time on the Cologne campus, making it compatible with professional employment. The start date is in the winter semester.

• First Semester: Fundamentals of Business Psychology, Change Management, Digital Management, Team & Self-Management, Introduction to Economics, Psychological Action Competence and Practical Reflection 1
• Second Semester: Trends in Applied Business Psychology, Value-Oriented Leadership, Market Research & Marketing Psychology, Advertising Psychology, Innovation Management, Transfer Project
• Third Semester: Work & Organisational Psychology, Offender Psychology, Organisational Learning, Human Centred Design, International Marketing, International Human Resource Management, Leadership Behaviour, Practical Reflection 2
• Fourth Semester: Corporate Social Responsibility, Business Law & Corporate Governance, Aptitude Diagnostics, Personnel Development & Coaching, Preparation of the Master’s Thesis
• Fifth Semester: Master’s Thesis

The programme combines face-to-face sessions with digital modules and promotes self-directed learning. Practice-oriented teaching methods, business projects and cooperation with companies are closely integrated. The study content is supplemented by regular networking events and workshops.

Career Prospects & Job Opportunities: Where Can You Take Off with the Master’s?

With a Master’s in Business Psychology, numerous career paths open up for you across various industries. Graduates often work at the interface between business and psychology. Typical areas of application are:

• HR Management: Development of personnel strategies, talent promotion, organisational culture management
• Organisational Development: Support and management of change projects, efficiency enhancement and innovation management
• Marketing Psychology: Analysis of consumer behaviour, development of strategies for brand positioning and communication
• Sales Psychology: Development of psychologically based sales strategies, customer retention
• Management Consulting: Consulting in personnel, change management and corporate communication
• Coaching and Personnel Development: Conducting workshops, coaching and aptitude diagnostics

Thanks to business administration knowledge and psychological expertise, you are a sought-after specialist in HR departments, management consultancies, personnel service providers and organisational development in medium-sized and large companies.

Study Location: Your Campus in Cologne

The part-time degree takes place at the CBS University of Applied Sciences location in Cologne. The campus offers a modern learning environment and is part of a nationwide university network with close links to companies.

• German-language programme
• Access to networking events and 1,300 corporate partners
• Digital and personal learning formats
• Vibrant campus with community events

Costs and Financing

The tuition fees for the part-time Master's in Business Psychology are:

• Monthly: 535 Euro
• Per semester: 3,210 Euro
• Total costs: 19,260 Euro (for 5 semesters)

There are various financing options. In addition to traditional student loans, working professionals can finance the programme with support from their employers or through funding programmes. CBS University of Applied Sciences offers students individual information on scholarships and other support opportunities.