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Since the reform of the Psychotherapist Act (PsychThG) in 2020, the path to becoming a licensed psychotherapist in Germany runs through a direct study programme: polyvalent bachelor, approbation-qualifying master, state exam. At private universities, there is no Numerus Clausus, you study in small groups with early clinical contact, and master programmes cost between 550 and 1,175 € per month. Compare all programmes by cost, admission and career prospects below.
- Overview of all Courses
- How much does a psychotherapy degree cost?
- What changed with the Psychotherapist Act (PsychThG) 2020?
- Admission without GPA requirements: how to apply
- What do psychotherapists earn in Germany?
- Career prospects: why psychotherapy is a future-proof profession
- Frequently asked questions about studying psychotherapy in Germany
- Related programmes at private universities
Overview of all Courses
We have a total of 13 courses in the field of Psychotherapy.
Psychology
Charlotte Fresenius University · B.Sc. · 6 Semester
Psychology with an emphasis in clinical psychology and psychotherapy
Medical School Berlin · M.Sc. · 4 Semester
Psychology with an emphasis in clinical psychology and psychotherapy
Medical School Hamburg · M.Sc. · 4 Semester
Psychology - Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
Berlin School of Psychology · M.Sc. · 4 Semester
Psychotherapy Science
Sigmund Freud Private University Berlin · B.Sc. · 6 Semester
Psychotherapy
Health and Medical University · M.Sc. · 4 Semester
Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane · M.Sc. · 4 Semester
Behavioral Therapy
Berlin School of Psychology · M.Sc. · 7 Semester
Psychotherapy Science
Sigmund Freud Private University Berlin · M.A. · 4 Semester
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
Charlotte Fresenius University · M.Sc. · 4 Semester
Psychology - Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
Berlin International Psychoanalytic University · M.Sc. · 4 Semester
Psychotherapy
Medical School Hamburg · M.Sc. · 4 Semester
Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
Vinzenz Pallotti University · M.Sc. · 4 Semester
How much does a psychotherapy degree cost?
Tuition varies significantly: the most affordable master is 550 €/month (SRH Heidelberg, 13,400 € total), while the most expensive is 1,175 €/month (Charlotte Fresenius, 28,925 € total). All programmes are full-time – no distance learning or part-time format exists for psychotherapy because the clinical placements require on-site presence.
Master in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy: tuition comparison
11 master programmes at 9 private universities in Germany qualify for the Approbation exam. Compared to postgraduate clinical training in the US ($60,000–$120,000) or the UK (£9,250+/year for doctoral programmes), German tuition is significantly lower.
| University | City | Tuition (total) | Monthly | Semesters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SRH Heidelberg | Heidelberg | 13,400 € | 550 € | 4 |
| MSB Berlin | Berlin | 15,600 € | 650 € | 4 |
| MSH Hamburg (2 programmes) | Hamburg | 16,780 € | 695 € | 4 |
| HMU Potsdam | Potsdam | 16,780 € | 695 € | 4 |
| MHB Neuruppin | Neuruppin | 19,920 € | 830 € | 4 |
| PHB Berlin (2 programmes) | Berlin | 21,360–22,260 € | 530–890 € | 4–7 |
| SFU Berlin | Berlin | 21,912 € | 913 € | 4 |
| IPU Berlin | Berlin | 22,700 € | 1,030 € | 4 |
| Charlotte Fresenius | Wiesbaden | 28,925 € | 1,175 € | 4 |
Bachelor programmes with psychotherapy focus
Two bachelor programmes are directly classified under psychotherapy: Psychotherapy Science at SFU Berlin (913 €/month) and Psychology at Charlotte Fresenius (975 €/month). For most prospective students, a polyvalent B.Sc. Psychology is the better starting point – it qualifies for the approbation-conforming master and is available at many private universities from around 250 €/month.
| Course | University | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychotherapy Science, Bachelor of Science On-campus program | Sigmund Freud Private University Berlin | from 32868 € total from 913 € monthly | |
| Psychology, Bachelor of Science On-campus program | Charlotte Fresenius University | from 35100 € total from 975 € monthly |
Financing: how to fund a psychotherapy degree
- BAföG: Up to 992 €/month for full-time students. At the most affordable master (SRH, 550 €/month), BAföG nearly covers the entire tuition.
- KfW student loan: Up to 650 €/month, available for master programmes. Can be combined with BAföG.
- Education funds: Providers like Brain Capital or Deutsche Bildung advance tuition and are repaid income-dependently after graduation.
- Tax deductibility: Master tuition is fully deductible as professional expenses (Werbungskosten), reducing the net cost significantly.
What changed with the Psychotherapist Act (PsychThG) 2020?
The reformed Psychotherapist Act fundamentally changed how one becomes a licensed psychotherapist in Germany. Previously, graduates needed 3–5 years of postgraduate training (Ausbildung) costing 20,000–90,000 € out of pocket, with compensation of only ~650 €/month. Since 2020, a direct study pathway leads to the Approbation: polyvalent bachelor, approbation-qualifying master, state exam.
The key difference: you receive your Approbation after the master – in approximately 5 years instead of 8–13 years under the old system. The subsequent 5-year specialisation training (Weiterbildung) is fully salaried (target: TV-L E14, ~4,400 €/month) rather than self-funded.
Transition period: Students in the old system must complete their training by 1 September 2032 (hardship extension: 2035). For anyone starting now, only the new pathway applies.
What does “approbation-qualifying” mean? A master programme is approbation-qualifying if it fully covers the content of the Approbation Regulations for Psychotherapists (PsychThApprO) – particularly clinical placements in outpatient and inpatient settings. All master programmes listed on this page meet this requirement.
Admission without GPA requirements: how to apply
At private universities, there is no GPA requirement (Numerus Clausus) for psychotherapy programmes. At public universities, the NC for psychology is typically 1.1–1.5, and master places in clinical psychology are highly competitive.
Requirements for the master:
- Polyvalent B.Sc. Psychology: The bachelor must include clinical psychology modules as specified in the PsychThApprO. A B.Sc. Psychology labelled “polyvalent” or “approbation-qualifying” from any recognised university qualifies.
- Minimum ECTS: Typically 180 ECTS in the bachelor, with a defined proportion in clinical psychology and research methods.
- Selection process: Motivation letter, interview or assessment centre. Some universities (e.g. PHB, IPU) additionally conduct a scientific colloquium.
- Language: All programmes are taught in German (C1 level required for international applicants).
What do psychotherapists earn in Germany?
Salaries in the public sector follow the TV-L collective agreement (estimated 2026):
| Pay grade | Typical position | Entry | After 5 years | Top level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E 13 | Psychotherapist (entry) | 4,768 € | 5,424 € | 6,835 € |
| E 14 | Psychotherapist (experienced) | 5,154 € | 5,862 € | 7,346 € |
| E 15 | Senior psychotherapist | 5,669 € | 6,282 € | 7,981 € |
All amounts gross per month. Psychotherapists in private practice with a full Kassensitz (statutory health insurance licence) earn approximately 80,500 € gross per year on average, with a maximum of ~135,000 €/year at full capacity.
Return on investment: Even at the most affordable private master (SRH, 13,400 €) plus a private polyvalent bachelor (~18,000 €), total costs amount to approximately 31,400 €. With an entry salary of 4,768 €/month (TV-L E13), you earn ~970 € more per month than the average German graduate. Tuition pays for itself in under 3 years.
Career prospects: why psychotherapy is a future-proof profession
Demand for psychotherapy far outstrips supply in Germany. Patients wait an average of over 20 weeks for a therapy place – and the trend is rising. 40% wait an additional 3–9 months after the initial consultation before treatment begins.
- Approximately 37,000 psychotherapists practise in Germany, but only ~15,000 hold a statutory health insurance licence (Kassenzulassung).
- The Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists estimates a shortfall of ~7,000 additional licensed practices.
- Urban-rural divide: Cities have ~36 therapists per 100,000 residents; rural areas only 17–21.
For graduates, this means: career entry is virtually guaranteed. Whether in hospitals, counselling centres or private practice – demand will exceed supply for the foreseeable future.
Frequently asked questions about studying psychotherapy in Germany
- Can I study psychotherapy without a top GPA? Yes. All private universities have open admission – no Numerus Clausus. Selection is based on motivation, interviews and aptitude, not your school-leaving grade.
- How much does a psychotherapy master cost at a private university? Between 550 €/month (SRH Heidelberg, 13,400 € total) and 1,175 €/month (Charlotte Fresenius, 28,925 € total). All 11 English-listed masters are full-time programmes.
- Is there a distance learning option for psychotherapy? No. All approbation-qualifying master programmes require full-time, on-campus attendance due to mandatory clinical placements in outpatient and inpatient settings.
- How long does it take to become a licensed psychotherapist? Under the new system (since PsychThG 2020): 3 years bachelor + 2 years master + state exam + 5 years specialisation training = approximately 10 years total.
- What does a psychotherapist earn in Germany? Employed in the public sector (TV-L E13): from 4,768 € gross/month. In private practice with a full licence: approximately 80,500 € gross/year on average.
- Are programmes taught in English? No. All psychotherapy programmes at private universities in Germany are taught in German (C1 level required). For English-taught psychology programmes, see our psychology comparison page.
Related programmes at private universities
- Psychology: The polyvalent B.Sc. Psychology is the prerequisite for the approbation-qualifying master – available from around 250 €/month at private universities.
- Social Work: Psychosocial counselling without Approbation – shorter programme, broader field of practice in youth services, counselling and addiction support.
- Medicine: Medical psychotherapy as an alternative – specialists in psychiatry and psychotherapy or psychosomatic medicine.
View the German-language programmes at Psychotherapie.
About the Author Christian Wolf
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