Psychotherapy Science, Bachelor of Science

Psychotherapy Science at SFU Berlin: Who is Suitable for the Programme and What Do You Need for Admission?

The Bachelor's degree in Psychotherapy Science at the Sigmund Freud Private University Berlin is aimed at people interested in psychotherapeutic, psychological, and scientific questions. You are in the right place if you are passionate about the scientific foundations of psychotherapy, practical work with people, and socially relevant topics such as mental health, diagnostics, or intervention. The programme is particularly suitable if you aspire to a career as a psychotherapist in Germany or Austria – but also if you want to gain sound knowledge in counselling, prevention, or psychosocial support.

What formal requirements do I have to meet?

• University entrance qualification: Proof of eligibility for higher education is required for the application. This can be, for example, the Abitur, the Austrian Matura, a university entrance examination, a vocational matriculation examination, or a special admission test under Austrian law.
• Curriculum vitae and motivation letter: Along with your online application, you must submit a tabular CV and a motivation letter in addition to your certificate. This shows why you are interested in this programme.
• Admission interviews with lecturers: Two compulsory, structured first interviews take place via video call with members of the core academic staff at SFU Berlin. These interviews assess, among other things, suitability, motivation, and capacity for reflection.
• Application deadlines: The deadline for the winter semester 2025/26 runs from 1 March to 30 September 2025. Late registration is possible in individual cases.
• Special case: Admission without Abitur is possible under certain conditions through an individual examination. It is advisable to contact the SFU Berlin Student Services for this.

What personal requirements are advisable?

• Interest in scientific work: You should be willing to engage scientifically with psychological, medical, and social topics and be prepared to research and learn based on empirical evidence.
• Openness and capacity for reflection: During practical training, you will encounter a wide range of topics and people. Willingness to reflect on your own personality and to deal with emotionally challenging situations is important.
• Communication skills: For later work as a therapist, it is essential to listen empathically, communicate appropriately for different ages and situations, and maintain a mindful interaction with conversation partners.
• Self-responsibility and resilience: Independent learning, structured handling of demanding content, organisation of studies, and emotional resilience are beneficial for successful course progress.
• Practical affinity: Even during your studies, you will have contact with clients and gain insights into various areas of the health and social sectors.
• Language skills: The language of instruction is German. Good written and spoken skills are required.

Who is the Bachelor's degree in Psychotherapy Science especially suitable for?

• For school leavers with Abitur or Matura aiming for a scientifically sound and practice-oriented education in psychotherapy
• For persons with university entrance qualification who want to prepare for licensing as a psychotherapist in Germany or Austria
• For applicants interested in psychosocial, (social-)educational, and health science activities
• For those who want to gain practical experience in dealing with patients alongside theory
• For anyone who values individual support and small study groups as well as a research- and practice-oriented study atmosphere

What can you expect in the Bachelor's programme in Psychotherapy Science?

The Psychotherapy Science degree programme at Sigmund Freud Private University Berlin is an undergraduate course that imparts the scientific and practical foundations of psychotherapy. You will engage intensively with the psychological, medical, sociological, and anthropological aspects of human development as well as their disorders. Core learning contents include:

• Getting to know the main psychotherapeutic schools and methods (e.g. psychoanalysis, behavioural therapy, depth psychology-based therapy, art therapy)
• Scientific work and research methodology – including statistical data analysis
• Psychological diagnostics and introduction to medical terminology
• General and differential psychology, developmental and social psychology
• Psychiatry, psychosomatics, psychopharmacology, and neurosciences
• Rehabilitation, special and remedial education, psychosocial intervention methods
• Knowledge of the health and social systems, insights into health economics and health law
• Personal development: reflection on your own attitude and development of professional competencies
• Practical elements: internships in the health and social sectors, accompanied by supervision and reflection sessions
• Additional qualifications: e.g. course instructor licence for prevention courses, preparation for the Heilpraktiker examination (psychotherapy)

The focus is on acquiring solid knowledge of diagnostics, therapy planning and implementation of psychotherapeutic interventions for children, adolescents, adults and elderly people. The course enables you to establish a professional therapeutic relationship and communicate in an age-appropriate manner.

How is the course structured?

The Bachelor's degree lasts six semesters (180 ECTS) and is designed as a full-time study programme. It combines theoretical lectures with practical elements. You will learn in small groups and receive intensive support. The main components of the course structure are:

• At the beginning: introductory module in Psychotherapy Science and psychosocial counselling as a science and profession
• Four general semesters covering fundamentals in psychology, medicine, law and social sciences
• Specialisation from the main study phase: advanced study of psychotherapeutic procedures (e.g. psychoanalysis or behavioural therapy)
• Practical training: internship in a healthcare institution, practice in the SFU Berlin university outpatient clinic, regular supervision and reflection on your practical experiences
• Research internship for the application of scientific methods

The programme is based on the three-pillar model (theory, practice, personal development). Regular courses and accompanying reflection seminars ensure your transfer between theory and practice. International mobility is encouraged: you can spend a semester at partner universities (e.g. in Vienna, Paris, Milan, Ljubljana or Zurich) and participate in the annually held Summer School.

Career prospects after the Bachelor in Psychotherapy Science

With a Bachelor's degree in Psychotherapy Science, you have completed the first practical training step to becoming a psychotherapist. The following opportunities are available to you:

• Access to the consecutive Master's degree in Psychotherapy Science (Magister/Master), which is required for licensure as a psychotherapist (according to German law)
• Employment opportunities as a counsellor in the psychosocial field, for example in clinics, counselling centres, educational or rehabilitation facilities
• Examination for Heilpraktiker (licensed practitioner) specialising in psychotherapy
• Course instructor licence for prevention courses, e.g. in the area of autogenic training
• Foundation for further specialisations and application nationwide for advanced professional training (e.g. as a child and adolescent psychotherapist, specialised psychotherapist for adults, neuropsychological psychotherapy)

Due to the scientific education, you can also work in research or teaching or further qualify as a supervisor and coach.

Studying at the historically significant location Berlin Tempelhof

The study location is Sigmund Freud Private University Berlin, situated on the historically important Berlin-Tempelhof airport site. SFU Berlin has an international orientation and is part of a Europe-wide university network with locations in Vienna, Paris and Milan, among others.

• Short distances, modern learning environment and small groups
• Practice-oriented thanks to its own university outpatient clinic and cooperation with renowned clinics and institutions
• International exchange opportunities within the framework of Erasmus+ and direct contact with research institutions

Furthermore, Berlin offers you a diverse academic landscape, numerous clinics, therapy and practice placements as well as an inspiring environment for personal and professional development.

Costs and financing options at a glance

From the winter semester 2024, the following costs apply for the Bachelor's degree in Psychotherapy Science:

• Tuition fee per semester: 5,640 Euro (if paid in advance)
• Quarterly payment: 2,848.20 Euro (including processing fee)
• Monthly payment: 958.80 Euro (including processing fee)
• Total for standard period of study (6 semesters): approx. 33,000 Euro
• Admission and enrolment fee: 450 Euro (credited against the tuition fee upon enrollment)

The tuition fees cover the following services:

• Theory courses
• Major part of self-experience
• Supervision
• Internship in the university outpatient clinic
• Examination fees

Financing: Tuition fees are tax-deductible (for further education or retraining). You can receive BAföG if the legal requirements are met. In addition, SFU Berlin offers a brochure on scholarships, student loans and funding options. Each semester the mandatory Austrian student contribution must also be paid.

• Discounts: 1 % (for annual prepayment), 2 % (for full prepayment)
• In case of withdrawal from studies, the remaining amount is refunded (billed semesters without discount)

The SFU Berlin team will be happy to assist you in finding suitable scholarships, loans or alternative financing options.