Study Psychology & Psychotherapy privately: All universities in Germany, all study programs

Study requirements: Psychology studies also without baccalaureate and without NC

There is no numerus clausus at any of the universities I am presenting here. That's because personality, willingness to perform and motivation are more important to the universities than grades. Apart from that, the courses of study are not always favorable, which in itself represents a kind of entry restriction.

For a Bachelor's degree, a university entrance qualification is formally required at all the private universities I am presenting here. This is usually a baccalaureate or a specialized baccalaureate, but can also be the specialized university entrance qualification.

You can also enroll in many degree programs without a baccalaureate, such as the Psychology degree programme at IU International University, which requires the following:

• You have successfully completed a German advanced training course, for example a master craftsman's examination or further training to become a state-certified business economist.
• Or you have completed German vocational training, such as training as a health care worker and nurse. Following your training, you have worked full-time in this profession for at least 3 years. The profession should fit the psychology subject. If it does not fit, you will have to first complete a trial study at IU before you are enrolled regularly.

At other private universities, similar requirements apply to anyone who wants to enroll in a degree programme without a baccalaureate.

Costs and tuition fees

Private universities are of course expensive compared to state universities, although the price differences between individual universities and UAS are enormous. Particularly inexpensive: IU International University, which currently offers campus study programs and distance learning programs in Psychology.

An important cost factor is, of course, the city in which you study. In southern Germany, the cost of living as well as rents are predominantly more expensive than in cities such as Berlin, for example. You can find a comparison of each earlier in this post.

Here are the costs for popular Bachelor's degree programs in Psychology at a glance:

Incidentally, as a student at a private university, you are of course entitled to funding under the German BAFöG. Most universities also help their first-year students to find financing partners and thus, for example, to take advantage of a student loan from KFW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau/Credit Bank for Reconstruction). Some universities also support their students with scholarships, such as the IU International University.

Private universities with Psychology programmes in brief portrait

Interestingly, most private colleges offering studies in psychology are universities. Universities are authorized, for example, to award doctorates. In addition, it is possible to obtain a psychotherapy license by studying psychology at a university.

Here is a brief portrait of the most important universities:

Medical School Berlin: Medical School Berlin - Hochschule für Gesundheit und Medizin (MSB) is a private, state-recognized university. The university was founded in 2012 and is located in Berlin-Wilmersdorf on Rüdesheimer Straße. In WS 2019/2020, a total of 1,650 students were enrolled at the university. MSB consists of 2 faculties: the Faculty of Natural Sciences is a university faculty, and the Faculty of Health Sciences is a university of applied sciences faculty. Psychology courses are organized by the Faculty of Natural Sciences. Since WS 2020, the university also offers a Master's degree programme in Psychotherapy.

Fresenius University of Applied Sciences: Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, located in Idstein/Hesse as well as in Heidelberg, is one of the largest private universities of applied sciences in Germany and was founded in 1848. In WS 2019/2020, a total of 12,991 students were enrolled at the university. The university offers a very comprehensive study program in natural sciences, in economics and for example also in social sciences. The university offers the Psychology programme at various locations in Germany, for example in Berlin or Cologne.

IU International University of Applied Sciences: With over 100,000 students, IU is the largest private university in Germany and was founded in 1998. In addition to the numerous distance learning programs, for example in Psychology, in Health Psychology, in Communication Psychology as well as in Business Psychology, IU also offers part-time Bachelor programs in Psychology and Business Psychology, for example in Berlin, Cologne, Munich. Special feature: Studying at the IU is extremely flexible, even exams can be written remotely - online and from home.

Medical School Hamburg: MSH is a private, state-recognized university based in Hamburg. The university was founded in 2009, and in WS 2019/2020 a total of 3,023 students were enrolled in one of the 4 faculties. The Faculty of Human Sciences has the status of a scientific university, so it is equal to a university. Among other courses, the Faculty offers a Bachelor's degree in Psychology as well as a Master's degree in Psychotherapy.

Witten/Herdecke University: Witten/Herdecke University is a private, state-recognized university and was founded in 1982. In the winter semester 2019/2020, a total of 2,617 students were enrolled at the university. As one of the few private universities, Witten University also offers a degree program in Human Medicine with the final goal of a state examination. The Bachelor's degree program in Psychology has already been adapted to the reform of psychotherapist training. Admission to the Psychology programme is severely limited to just over 30 students per semester, who undergo a multi-stage selection process.

Sigmund Freud Private University Berlin: SFU Berlin is not a university under German law, but a campus of Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität in Austria. SFU was founded in 2005, and in addition to Berlin, the accredited university operates campuses in Vienna, Linz, Paris, Milan and Ljubljana. The university offers both a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Psychology. In addition, one can study Psychotherapy Science at SFU; degree goals in each case are BA. pth. (Bakkalaureus/Bakkalaurea for Psychotherapy Science) as well as the Mag. pth., both degrees according to Austrian law.

Berlin International Psychoanalytic University: IPU is a private, state-recognized university located in Berlin-Moabit. The university was founded in 2009, and in WS 2019/2020 a total of 700 students were enrolled at the university. In addition to various Master's programmes in the field of psychology, the university offers the undergraduate Bachelor's program Psychology Plus. Plus means that students additionally acquire a certificate in Psychodynamic Interviewing during their studies.

Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane: MHB is a young university located in Neuruppin with an additional campus in Brandenburg an der Havel. The university was founded in 2014, and in the winter semester 2019/2020, a total of 444 students were enrolled at the university. The university currently offers two degree programs: Human Medicine and Psychology. In WS 2020/2021, MHB also introduced Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in Psychotherapy, which will lead to the national state examination and a limited license to practice psychotherapy for 5 years.

Berlin School of Psychology: The PHB, located in Berlin-Mitte, is a university and was founded in 2010 by the professional association of German psychologists. In WS 2019/2020, a total of 458 students were enrolled at the university. The university offers Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in Psychology as well as the opportunity to complete psychotherapy training.

Study Psychotherapy at private universities in Germany

With the German Amendment of the Psychotherapists Act 2020, the training for psychotherapists will also change. At many of the universities I am presenting here, it was previously possible to study psychology with a focus on clinical psychology as a Bachelor's and Master's degree. Graduates could then apply for training as psychotherapists.

As a result of the legislative reform, Psychotherapy degree programs are now being created to lead to a state examination and a limited license to practice. The first direct study programs started in winter semester 2020/2021, for example at the Brandenburg Medical School.

Here is an overview of the current Psychotherapy degree programs at private universities:

More degree programs here: Study Psychotherapy at private universities: All study programs at a glance

Distance learning programmes in Psychology in Germany

Distance learning is the form of study for anyone who wants to study while working or who is in special phases of life, such as parental leave.

What are the advantages of distance learning? Distance learning courses are mainly completed from home, with the help of online lectures and study scripts. Some universities, such as IU International University, even offer the option of writing exams from home. In addition, distance learning programs at private universities are significantly less expensive than face-to-face programs.

Here is an overview of popular distance learning programs in the field of psychology:

Read more about Psychology in distance learning here (German): Psychology distance learning: 20 degree programs + paths to Psychotherapy.