The IPU is a unique university for advanced science and practice-oriented study programs with a psychoanalytic focus.
The International Psychoanalytic University (IPU) Berlin, founded in 2009, fills a gap in academic psychology by teaching psychoanalysis as a central approach in research, teaching and practice. As the world's only psychoanalytic university, the IPU offers an unparalleled study program that focuses on the human being and the psyche. The IPU understands the human psyche as biologically, socially, and culturally shaped and promotes a deep understanding of the individual in the context of their history and under the influence of the unconscious.
At the IPU, experienced scientists teach and conduct research in a transdisciplinary environment that promotes dialogue between psychoanalysis and other disciplines. The close integration of theory and practice, research and clinical application enables students to gain practical experience and scientifically sound knowledge from the very beginning.
The IPU is characterized by its international networks and collaborations, which enrich both academic and practical work. With its central location in the heart of Berlin and modern learning conditions, the IPU offers optimal conditions for a successful degree in psychology.
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The IPU Berlin offers a wide range of courses with a psychoanalytic focus for bachelor's and master's students, both full-time and part-time. Our transdisciplinary teaching and research promotes dialogue with other sciences and continuously develops psychoanalysis. As a university with on-site teaching, we place particular emphasis on practical learning and direct exchange.
The research at the IPU Berlin expands the cognitive-behavioral science-dominated psychology to include cultural, social science and psychoanalytic perspectives. The focus is on the interfaces between clinical and non-clinical psychology approaches that examine psychological processes in their social and individual context. The research is characterized by a transdisciplinary variety of methods, combining empirical, qualitative and quantitative approaches and reflecting on issues of scientific theory. Focal points are psychotherapy research, transformation research and concept research, all of which take social and cultural dynamics into account.
Psychotherapy research
Effectiveness and quality assurance in psychotherapy
The IPU Berlin focuses its psychotherapy research on clinical psychology, psychotherapy outcome and process research. Through close collaboration with the psychotherapeutic university outpatient clinic, evidence-based methods are developed and applied in an international network. The research combines theory and practice to effectively treat mental disorders and gain new insights into psychotherapy.
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Transformation research
Cultural and social transformation processes
The analysis of cultural and social transformation processes focuses on the contradictory experiences, modes of perception, forms of identity and options for action of subjects and social groups under the conditions of a radically changing social reality. A psychoanalytically informed and essentially empirically and qualitatively based, transdisciplinary and socially critical perspective is developed to examine the possibilities of individual and collective emancipation.
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Conceptual research
Psychoanalytic subject theory and epistemology
Experiences can be conceptualized in terms of concepts that are constantly being modified and newly produced. Psychoanalytic and related concepts are reflected upon epistemologically, in terms of social and cultural studies, and empirically researched. Research is conducted at the intersection of psyche and society, on contemporary and methodological considerations of subjectivity.
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Spotlight
Latest News
IPU Spotlights
Highlights from the IPU Berlin with information on recent publications and articles by IPU researchers and members.
IPU-Jahresrückblick 2025
IPU-Präsident Prof. Dr. Jan-Hendrik Olbertz lässt die zurückliegenden zwölf Monate Revue passieren.
Zum Ende des Jahres blickt IPU-Präsident Prof. Dr. Jan-Hendrik Olbertz auf 2025 zurück. Neben der Verleihung des Promotionsrechts kennzeichnen weitere Höhepunkt ...
50 Minuten – The psychoanalytic Podcast
In our latest episode, we focus on small and large groups.
In our podcast, Daniel Jakubowski, Dr. Marie-Luise Alder, and Dr. Jenny Gergs regularly talk to scientists, psychotherapists, and experts about clinical, social ...
IPU-Studie zu völkischen Jugendbünden veröffentlicht
Forschungsprojekt an der IPU Berlin zu Freibund und Deutscher Gildenschaft analysiert Erlebniswelten völkischer Jugendbünde und ihre Bedeutung für aktuelle Rechtsextremismusprävention.
Im November 2025 ist im transcript Verlag der Band „Politische Sozialisation in völkischen Jugendbünden. Sozialpsychologische Studien zum Erlebnisangebot von ...
Vernissage der dritten Freud-Vitrine
Die dritte Freud-Vitrine wurde zum Start des Wintersemesters 2025/2026 in der Bibliothek der IPU Berlin eröffnet.
International Psychoanalytic University
Tel.: +49 30 300 117-500
E-Mail: info(at)ipu-berlin.de
Stromstr. 1, 10555 Berlin
Visitors' address: Stromstr. 3b
Student Advisory Service
Our Office for Studies and Teaching is happy to help with any questions you may have about studying at the IPU Berlin, applying and our programs.
Press
We are happy to put journalists and press representatives in touch with the right person in our organization. Our professors and research associates are happy to share their expertise on a wide range of topics, including psychotherapy training, the history of psychoanalysis, and issues in neuroscience, cultural studies, and religious studies.
Please direct your request to our
communications team.