Englisch 
Deutsch Who this Psychology (M.Sc.) fits and what you need to apply
This Master targets graduates who want to deepen clinical expertise while studying remotely in German. Typical fits include: psychology graduates working in counselling or mental health who seek a clinically oriented M.Sc. (120 ECTS); professionals from related fields (e.g. social work, education, health professions) aiming to add strong psychological diagnostics and intervention skills; practitioners abroad who need an accredited, flexible online format with limited on-site days.
Admission requirements
To qualify, you need a first university degree and sufficient German for study and assessment. Key points at a glance:
- First degree: Bachelor’s or Diplom in Psychology or a related field with at least 180 ECTS (minimum six semesters), successfully completed.
- Related degrees that can be considered after individual review include, for example: Rehabilitationspsychologie, Soziale Arbeit/Social Work, Sozialpädagogik, Pädagogik/Education, Heilpädagogik, Musiktherapie, Pflege-/Health Sciences, Erziehungs- und Bildungswissenschaften, Medizinalfachberufe.
- Bridging requirement: Without a Psychology Bachelor, up to three bridging courses may be required to cover missing competencies (fee: €350 per course; max. €1,050).
- Foreign qualifications: International Bachelor’s or Diplom degrees are admissible if comparable in scope and level (at least 180 ECTS/6 semesters). Equivalence must be documented.
- Grade rule: A lower undergraduate grade (3.6 or below on the German scale) can be compensated by demonstrating suitability in an admission interview.
- Language of instruction: German. If your prior education was not in German, be prepared to provide proof of adequate German proficiency for seminars, exams and academic writing. Accepted certificate formats are not publicly specified by the provider.
- No admission without a first degree. School-leaving certificates (e.g. Abitur) are not the basis for entry at Master’s level.
Personal requirements
Remote clinical psychology study is demanding but feasible alongside work if you plan realistically. Expect around 25–30 hours per week (full-time, 4 semesters) or 15–20 hours (part-time, 5 semesters) for reading, live-online seminars (often on Saturdays), assignments and exam prep. You should bring solid self-organisation, reliable internet, and the discipline to keep a weekly study rhythm.
- Language and communication: confident German for academic texts, patient/client communication scenarios and exams.
- Study logistics: ability to attend up to 9–12 optional on-site days in Magdeburg or Munich across the programme; manage time zones for live sessions when studying from abroad.
- Method skills: readiness to engage with research methods, statistics and test theory; careful documentation and case analysis.
- Practice component: capacity to arrange a 9-week internship in a suitable setting, potentially in your country of residence (subject to approval).
- Mindset: perseverance, reflective practice and ethical awareness for work in mental health contexts.
What will you study in the Psychology (M.Sc.) at DIPLOMA University?
The programme is taught entirely in German. You need advanced German to study and take exams (typically C1 level; common proofs are TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat C1). This is a Fernstudium – distance learning in Germany – run in cooperation with MEU. You will complete 120 ECTS over 4–5 semesters with a 9-week practical placement and a Master’s thesis.
You develop a clinical core across diagnostics, intervention and empowerment. Themes span:
- Clinical diagnostics and research methods: clinical assessment, psychological testing and case analysis, quantitative and qualitative methods, evaluation of interventions.
- Clinical psychology and psychotherapy: psychopathology and models of disorders, psychotherapy theories and treatment approaches, neurobiological foundations.
- Intervention and counselling: guided interviewing and case work, planning and delivering clinical interventions, counselling in outpatient and inpatient settings.
- Empowerment and professional practice: resilience and resource orientation, positive psychology and empowerment strategies, professional conduct in health and social care, project and communication skills.
Electives let you specialise in one area: Cognitive Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, Psychology of Behaviour Change, Clinical Psychological and Psychosocial Prevention, Rehabilitation Psychology, or Neurobiology of Psychotherapy.
Practical features include interactive seminars, exercises and case discussions, a 9-week internship (can be split), and structured support for your Master’s thesis in the final semester. In Germany, this provider is a Fachhochschule (a university of applied sciences with practice-oriented teaching). Distance-learning courses in Germany are regulated by the ZFU, the state authority that approves remote programmes; this ensures consumer protection and quality in the Fernstudium format.
How does the Psychology (M.Sc.) distance programme work?
You study mainly live online in German with optional on-site elements in Germany. The blended format combines self-study materials, Saturday live seminars and block days at the start of semesters. Written and oral assessments are offered online or at exam centres. No visa is required for a purely remote path.
Teaching language and certificates
Teaching and examinations are in German. You should plan for C1-level academic German to follow seminars, literature and assessment. Typical proofs are TestDaF, DSH or Goethe-Zertifikat at C1, but the exact list of accepted certificates is set by the university; strong command of specialist vocabulary in clinical psychology is essential.
Learning format and study materials
The programme follows a blended-learning design: self-study with digital study guides and e-library access, plus live online seminars (mostly on Saturdays, CET/CEST). You also use APA PsycArticles and a digital test library (Hogrefe Testsystem). The online campus provides schedules, materials and contact with lecturers and peers.
Exams and taking them from outside Germany
Examinations are conducted either online or on-site at DIPLOMA exam centres in Germany. If you live abroad, online exam options allow you to complete assessments without travelling, provided you meet technical and identification requirements. Where an in-person exam is chosen, you would need to travel to a German exam centre.
On-site sessions in Germany
At the beginning of the first three semesters, there are block sessions in Magdeburg or Munich: 3 days in part-time or 4 days in full-time. This totals 9–12 days across the programme. Participation is recommended for methods training and practice, but missed content can be made up with materials; the programme can be completed fully remotely.
Workload, time models and time zones
You can study in full time (4 semesters, approx. 25–30 hours/week) or part time (5 semesters, approx. 15–20 hours/week). Live sessions are scheduled to German time (CET/CEST), typically Saturdays for working professionals. You can extend your study time by up to four semesters without extra tuition fees.
What does the Psychology (M.Sc.) cost?
Tuition is paid in monthly instalments, with several models. Over the standard duration, the most affordable spread is 48 months at €279 per month, which totals €13,392 plus a one-off €985 examination fee (total €14,377). Faster models have higher monthly rates but lower overall duration.
| Plan | Monthly | Months | Tuition total | + Exam fee | Overall total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model I | €511 | 24 | €12,264 | €985 | €13,249 |
| Model II | €417 | 30 | €12,510 | €985 | €13,495 |
| Model III | €279 | 48 | €13,392 | €985 | €14,377 |
| KJP combination | €293 | 30 | €8,790 | €985 | €9,775 |
Included are digital learning materials, e-library access (incl. APA PsycArticles), MS Office licence and the online campus. You can extend your studies by up to four semesters without additional tuition. Payments are scheduled monthly; if you choose to pay in a single upfront sum, the university offers a reduced overall cost.
What careers and recognition does the Psychology (M.Sc.) offer?
You earn a Master of Science, 120 ECTS, aligned with the Bologna framework. The programme is accredited by AHPGS, a German quality assurance agency listed on EQAR, which supports international comparability of your degree. As a German M.Sc., it generally grants access to doctoral studies; final admission depends on the receiving university.
With a clinical and empowerment focus, you can work in:
- Clinical psychology and counselling in outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centres and community services.
- Prevention, health promotion and psychosocial programmes in education, social care and public health.
- Rehabilitation psychology and case management across the lifespan and chronic conditions.
- Assessment and selection: psychological reports, aptitude diagnostics, and organisational consulting.
- Research roles in applied psychology, evaluation of interventions and academic posts.
Specific to Germany, the curriculum meets the former legal pathway’s content for psychotherapy training (adult or child/adolescent) under the old licensure law during the transition period until 31 August 2032, subject to individual prerequisites such as your earlier Bachelor start date and institute-specific checks. Outside Germany, this Master does not itself confer psychologist or psychotherapist licensure; recognition for regulated professions always depends on national regulations.
Who is the Psychology (M.Sc.) right for - and who not?
This programme suits professionals who want a clinically oriented, research-informed Master that can be completed largely online, with the option to attend brief block sessions in Germany. The distance-learning model offers predictable Saturday live sessions and materials you can study asynchronously.
- You are proficient in academic German (around C1) and comfortable with German-language literature and exams.
- You want a clinical skill set covering diagnostics, intervention and empowerment, plus one targeted specialisation.
- You need a flexible Fernstudium that works alongside a job, with clear weekly workload and optional on-site blocks.
- You plan for roles in clinical services, prevention, rehabilitation or applied research, in Germany or internationally.
- You value an accredited M.Sc. (120 ECTS) aligned with Bologna and taught by a university of applied sciences.
There are also clear situations where this programme will not fit. Read these carefully before you commit time and application effort.
- You do not speak German at an advanced level. The teaching language is German; there is no English track.
- You require a programme with exams only on campus in your country. While many exams are online, on-site options are in Germany only.
- You need guaranteed eligibility for psychotherapist licensure outside Germany. This Master alone does not grant licensure and mappings vary by country.
- You cannot arrange a 9-week internship in a relevant setting (in German or your local language) during the programme.
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