Study Psychology in Germany: No GPA Cut-Off, from 199 €/Month

Is distance learning a good option for studying psychology?

Yes – and it is increasingly popular. Nearly half of all psychology programmes at private universities in Germany are offered as distance learning, a share that is unusually high compared to other disciplines. Statistics, research methods, social psychology and developmental psychology can all be taught effectively in a digital format, often at lower tuition fees than campus programmes.

The biggest advantage: flexibility and cost. Distance learners save on tuition (from 177 €/month vs. 585 €/month for full-time) as well as relocation and living costs – and can work alongside their studies. IU International University, Euro-FH Hamburg and SRH Distance University are among the largest providers.

Important for the path to psychotherapy: If you plan to work as a licensed psychotherapist in Germany, you need an approbation-conforming bachelor under the Approbationsordnung (PsychThApprO), Germany’s national licensing regulation for psychotherapists. This bachelor requires clinical practice components (BQT I) that must be completed in person – currently, no German distance-learning provider offers an approbation-conforming B.Sc. in Psychology. For the psychotherapy pathway, a full-time campus bachelor is therefore required. The distance-learning B.Sc. does, however, qualify for other psychology master tracks (e.g. business psychology, health psychology). More details: Psychotherapy at private universities.

Note on language: Distance-learning programmes in psychology are almost exclusively taught in German. A strong command of German (typically B2/C1 level) is required. If you are still learning German, consider starting with a language preparation course while working part-time.

What are the admission requirements for psychology at a private university?

None of the private universities featured here apply a Numerus Clausus (NC). This is the most significant difference to public universities, where psychology has been one of the most competitive subjects for years. For international applicants: the German grading scale runs from 1.0 (best) to 4.0 (pass) – an NC of 1.0 corresponds roughly to a 4.0 GPA (US), AAA at A-level (UK), or 45 IB points:

For German school leavers

Applicants need a university entrance qualification – the Abitur (German secondary school diploma) or Fachabitur (university of applied sciences entrance qualification). Many private universities also admit students without Abitur, for example with completed vocational training plus work experience.

For international applicants

Your secondary school diploma must be recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur. You can check whether your qualification is accepted using the anabin database (maintained by the KMK) or by contacting the university’s international admissions office. Qualifications commonly accepted include the International Baccalaureate (IB), British A-levels, the US high school diploma with AP exams or SAT/ACT, and the Indian 12th Standard. If your qualification is not directly recognised, a one-year Studienkolleg (foundation year) can bridge the gap.

Language requirements: Since nearly all psychology programmes are taught in German, applicants typically need a DSH-2, TestDaF 4 or equivalent certificate (roughly C1 level). For the few English-taught programmes (Touro Berlin, Constructor University), IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80+ is usually required instead.

Where to study Psychology? The best cities

The highest concentration of private universities offering psychology programmes is in Berlin, with over 10 institutions running full-time programmes. Major providers like Hochschule Fresenius, SRH and Macromedia operate across multiple cities. Those seeking a quieter environment will find university towns like Heidelberg, Göttingen or Potsdam offer a more focused study atmosphere. For distance learners, location is largely irrelevant – exams can often be taken online or at rotating test centres.

Additional full-time locations: Bremen (Constructor), Neuruppin (MHB), Regensburg (HSD Döpfer), Bielefeld & Hanover (FHM), Freiburg (Macromedia), Dresden & Hamm (SRH), Iserlohn (UE). Distance-learning providers such as IU, SRH Distance University, AKAD, DIPLOMA or PFH are location-independent and therefore not included.

How much do psychologists earn in Germany?

With a master’s degree, psychologists in the German public sector earn around 4,750 € gross per month at entry level. German public-sector salaries are set by collective agreements called TVöD (federal/municipal) and TV-L (state), with pay grades ranging from E9 (bachelor-level) to E15 (senior management). These figures are gross – after taxes and social contributions, roughly 60–65% remains as net income:

In the private sector, entry-level salaries for bachelor graduates range from 3,100 to 3,600 €, for master graduates from 4,200 to 4,800 €. Business psychologists in corporations and consulting firms often earn higher salaries than clinically focused colleagues. For comparison: German psychologist salaries are broadly comparable to the UK (NHS Band 6–8) and lower than the US ($50k–$90k), but the significantly lower cost of studying in Germany means graduates start their careers with little or no student debt.

Career fields for psychologists

• Clinical psychology: hospitals, counselling centres, rehabilitation facilities (master + approbation required)
• Business psychology: recruitment, organisational development, coaching, market research
• Educational psychology: school psychology, learning support, educational institutions
• Health psychology: prevention, occupational health management, health insurance companies
• Forensic psychology: expert opinions, forensics, correctional services
• Research: universities, research institutes, pharmaceutical industry

Frequently asked questions about studying Psychology

Related programmes at private universities

• Psychotherapy – Approbation-qualifying master programmes for the path to psychotherapy licensure
• Business Psychology – Psychology with a focus on business, marketing, HR
• Social Work – Social pedagogy, counselling, youth welfare