Distance learning program Psychology (B.Sc.) – FernUni Switzerland

👉 The Bachelor's degree in Psychology at FernUni Switzerland is aimed at everyone who wants to acquire scientifically sound knowledge about human behaviour alongside their job or family commitments. The part-time distance learning programme, spread over 9 semesters, provides fundamentals of developmental, social, clinical, and biological psychology, as well as methods of empirical research and statistics. You will learn to analyse behaviour and experience using quantitative methods and to participate in scientific studies. The study workload is approximately 25 hours per week, and the tuition fee amounts to 1300 CHF per semester. The programme is conducted in German, with the possibility of a bilingual degree (German/French).

At a Glance

🏫 Provider FernUni Switzerland, University based in Brig (Schweiz)
The FernUni Switzerland is an accredited university of the HFKG, offering flexible and international distance learning programmes in law, business, computer science, history, and psychology. With around 2300 students and 420 employees, it combines high-quality teaching and research with international networking. Partnerships, memberships in global networks, and projects in areas such as virtual mobility and e-learning promote its international visibility.
📋 Study Format Distance learning program
🎓 Field of Study Health & SocialPsychology
📜 Degree Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
⏳ Duration 9 Semesters, Study effort 25 hours weekly
🎯 ECTS 180 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Developmental psychology, clinical psychology, psychopathology, social psychology, general psychology, perception, thinking, problem-solving, learning, memory, emotions, motivation, personality psychology, differential psychology, biological psychology, work and organisational psychology, participation in studies, bachelor's thesis
📅 Enrollment Winter semester
💶 Fees
from 11000 € total
🔗 More Info View Vendor Profile

Who is the Psychology Distance Learning Programme at FernUni Switzerland Suitable For?

The Bachelor's degree programme in Psychology is aimed at individuals who have a fundamental interest in human experience and behaviour and wish to explore this scientifically. The programme is ideal for working professionals, parents, as well as anyone who values a flexible, location-independent learning model. Typical participants include school graduates with university entrance qualifications as well as career changers from other fields who seek a science-based education in psychology or plan to work later in counselling, education, business, or social services.

Admission Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree in Psychology

To be admitted to the Bachelor's degree programme in Psychology at FernUni Switzerland, you generally need a Swiss Matura (general university entrance qualification) or an equivalent foreign educational qualification that qualifies you for university studies in Switzerland. For qualifications from non-German-speaking countries, proof of German at level C1 (CEFR) is required. This can be demonstrated by the corresponding certificate or graduation from a German-speaking school. Additional language requirements apply for the bilingual programme (German/French).

Personal requirements include self-motivation, self-organisation and the willingness to allocate approximately 25 hours per week (part-time study) for self-study phases, course days and examinations. You should have a solid interest in empirical scientific work as well as basic skills in handling statistics, mathematics and English-language specialist literature (recommended level: English B2). Communication skills and openness to actively participate in group work and discussions are also beneficial, as parts of the programme require collegial-content exchange.

What Content Does the Psychology Distance Learning Course at FernUni Switzerland Convey?

In the Bachelor's degree in Psychology at FernUni Switzerland, you engage intensively with human experience and behaviour. The course is based on current scientific findings and places special emphasis on empirically founded specialist knowledge. Key content includes the experimental and methodological foundations of psychology as well as the application of quantitative research methods such as experiments, observation and questionnaire techniques. The evaluation and interpretation of data – supported by statistics – is an essential part. You acquire fundamental knowledge in the following subfields:

  • General Psychology: perception, thinking, memory, learning, problem-solving, emotions and motivation
  • Biological Psychology: connections between brain functions, bodily processes and behaviour
  • Developmental Psychology: psychological development across the lifespan
  • Personality and Differential Psychology: personality structures, differences between people
  • Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology: mental disorders, diagnostics and intervention approaches
  • Social Psychology: influence of societal and social factors on behaviour
  • Work and Organisational Psychology: psychological aspects in working life, organisations and companies

During the course, you take part in scientific studies as a participant and complete your studies with a Bachelor's thesis in which you independently address a psychological topic. You graduate with a Bachelor of Science and 180 ECTS credits. A bilingual course (German/French) is possible by earning at least 60 ECTS in a second language.

How Is the Course Structure Organised in the Psychology Bachelor's at FernUni Switzerland?

The Bachelor's degree in Psychology is designed as a part-time course and lasts nine semesters (4.5 years). You should plan for an average weekly workload of around 25–30 hours. The course starts annually on 1 February and 1 August. The teaching mainly takes place as supervised self-study, complemented by five joint teaching days per semester (Saturdays), during which you can deepen your knowledge on site and make contacts with lecturers and fellow students.

The didactic concept combines modern multimedia learning methods, scientifically valid materials and intensive support from teaching teams. You receive support via e-mail, forums on the learning platform and through individually arranged consultation hours. All coursework is recorded in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). One ECTS corresponds to a workload of around 25–30 hours. You can choose between a mono course (pure psychology) or a concept with a major (psychology) and minor (secondary subject). The course is location-independent and offers you maximum flexibility to combine it with work or family.

For Which Career Paths and Occupational Fields Does the Bachelor's Degree in Psychology Qualify You?

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology opens up numerous opportunities for further qualifications and entry into various occupational fields. After graduation, you can commence a Master's degree, which is legally required for protected professional titles in psychology in Switzerland. You only officially hold the professional title of psychologist with the Master's degree.

Typical occupational fields after the Bachelor's degree include, among others:

  • Health and Social Services: psychosocial counselling, health psychology, sport psychology, traffic psychology
  • Business and Work: market research, human resources management, marketing, communication, consulting, administrative roles
  • Science and Education: scientific assistantships, academic staff support, school psychology, career, study and vocational guidance

Many graduates build upon their Bachelor's degree with a Master's degree, followed by postgraduate training, for example, to become a psychotherapist or in the fields of neuropsychology, forensic psychology, child and adolescent psychology. The course thus provides a solid foundation for positions in the health, social, education and corporate sectors or for an academic career.

What Costs and Funding Options Should You Expect for the Psychology Bachelor's Degree?

The tuition fees for the Bachelor's degree in Psychology at FernUni Switzerland amount to a flat rate of 1,300 CHF per semester. The fee is independent of the number of modules taken and is due before the semester begins. Over the standard study period of 9 semesters, this results in a total sum of 11,700 CHF. Additional costs may arise from study materials such as books or possibly special software in individual modules; their amount varies depending on the subject area.

For financing, options include instalment payments, scholarships or, if applicable, support from your employer. Tax deductibility – for instance as training costs – can also be a way to ease the financial burden. FernUni Switzerland offers advice on individual financing options.

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