Who is the Psychology Degree at PFH Suitable For?

The Bachelor of Psychology distance learning course at the Private University of Applied Sciences Göttingen is designed for everyone who wants to understand human behaviour and analyse it scientifically. It is particularly aimed at individuals interested in psychological research, counselling, prevention, diagnosis or intervention, who already have a school leaving certificate or a recognised professional qualification. You are ideally suited if you have social skills and an interest in academic work – the course is explicitly also aimed at working professionals and career changers without a secondary school leaving certificate, for example, with professional training plus work experience. The specialisation in Clinical Psychology is suitable for those who later want to work in advisory, therapeutic or social science fields or prepare for a consecutive master’s degree.

Which Formal Requirements Must You Meet?

The following formal conditions apply for admission to the Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at PFH Göttingen:

• General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or
• Subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or
• a qualification recognised as equivalent (e.g. at least three years of vocational training plus three years of work experience, in accordance with the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act)

A Numerus Clausus (NC) is not required. Instead, there is a selection procedure in which you submit a letter of motivation, a CV and your certificates. This is followed by an introductory interview (approx. 30 minutes) and, if applicable, an online test (120 minutes) that assesses general cognitive abilities.

Personally, you should bring the following prerequisites:

• Motivation and interest in psychological questions
• Willingness for scientific and independent work
• Social skills such as empathy, communication ability and listening
• Basic mathematical understanding for statistics (preparatory courses are offered if there are uncertainties)
• Self-organisation and perseverance, especially in distance learning

What you will learn in the Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at PFH

In the Bachelor's degree in Psychology at PFH Private University Göttingen, you will thoroughly engage with the scientific foundations of human experience and behaviour. Core subjects include General Psychology, Biological Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Differential Psychology and Social Psychology. The methodological area covers statistics, research methods, psychological diagnostics, as well as the execution and presentation of empirical studies.

• Basic subjects: You will acquire in-depth knowledge about perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, thinking and decision-making.
• Research and methods: You will practise using quantitative and qualitative research methods, learn about various testing procedures as well as computer-assisted data analysis.
• Applied subjects: During your studies, you will take at least three applied subjects, including Work and Organisational Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology or Health Psychology.
• Clinical Psychology: This area is a focus at PFH and provides you with specific knowledge about mental disorders, intervention possibilities and clinical diagnostics.
• Empirical and experimental work: You will gain practical experience in empirical internships and projects and strengthen your skills in scientific presentation.
• Supplementary module: In the fifth semester, you choose a supplementary module, for example Business Administration, E-Health or Health Management. This gives you interdisciplinary insights and broadens your professional horizon.
• Bachelor thesis: You will complete your studies with a scientific thesis and a research colloquium.

Throughout your studies, you will develop key competencies in communication, conversation techniques and counselling – skills that are essential for many psychological professional fields.