MA Psychology

The programme comprises 120 credit points, which you can earn in eight semesters of part-time study. The credit points are distributed more or less evenly over the semesters, with the Master's thesis being written in the last semester. In-person attendance times are divided into four weekends and one block week per semester. The subject areas of the courses are divided into five areas of study, which are detailed in the sample course plan. In addition, there is a compulsory elective subject, which is intended to give you the opportunity to focus on an academic subject of your own interest. An internship is also obligatory.

The prerequisite for admission is a Bachelor's degree in psychology from a university. If you have completed other social science courses (e.g. medicine, education, theology, sociology), you must have a solid background in psychology of at least 60 credit points according to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which you obtained in a previous university course. The examination of these preliminary achievements takes place during the admission interview. The Examinations and Admissions Committee evaluates your previous achievements and may require the completion of bridging courses of 5 ECTS each in clinical psychology, psychoanalysis, and/or research methods. Bridge courses must be completed before the start of the Master's programme. We ask you to apply early so that admission requirements can be clarified and you can complete possible bridge courses before the start of your studies.

The IPU strives for a personal selection procedure via interviews with all applicants. The relevant factors are the overall impression of your application: your career choice motivation and interests, your previous experience and your social commitment. The majority of applicants will be invited for an interview. This interview leads to a recommendation to university management, which decides on admission or rejection.

Current application deadlines can be found here.

As a graduate, you will be able to work independently as a clinical psychologist with a psychoanalytic orientation. You can then apply for training as a psychological psychotherapist according to the Psychotherapeutengesetz (PsychThG). You are free to choose one of the psychotherapeutic orientations recognised by the PsychThG (cognitive-behavioural therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychoanalysis). This applies without restriction if you start your Master's programme after a Bachelor's degree in psychology.

As a graduate of the programme, you also have the best prerequisites for interdisciplinary research and further scientific qualification. It is expected that as a graduate you will be particularly well prepared for the contents and goals of a psychoanalytically and/or psychodynamically founded training programme due to your experience in our application-related courses (initial interview seminars, case presentations, casuistic seminars).

Through the International Office, the IPU is networked with numerous universities in Europe and around the world. All registered students are invited to do an internship or a whole semester at one of our partner universities abroad. The recognition of credit points achieved in the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) has already been contractually regulated.

You can choose between three different payment methods for tuition fees:

The IPU participates in the Deutschlandstipendium programme, a scholarship programme funded by the German government and open to applications from all students. The most important criteria for receiving this scholarship of €300 per month are previous performance, social commitment and a possible financial need.

In addition, the IPU offers discussions with Chancen eG. With their “reversed generational contract”, you can finance your studies on credit, and only have to begin repayments as soon as your income is over a certain threshold. 

And most recently in 2019, the IPU has become a member of the Studentische Darlehenskasse Berlin e.V. (DAKA). This means, that as an IPU student you can recieve a loan with some of the best conditions in the whole of Berlin.