Who is the Bachelor’s Distance Learning Psychology Course at HFH Suitable For?

The distance learning Psychology course (B.Sc.) at the Hamburg Distance University (Hamburger Fern-Hochschule) is aimed at prospective students who wish to complete an application-oriented, scientifically based psychology degree – regardless of whether they already have a (subject-specific) university entrance qualification or are professionally qualified. The flexible study concept without a numerus clausus (NC) offers working professionals, career changers, as well as people without a secondary school leaving certificate the opportunity to further train as specialists in the field of psychology. It is particularly aimed at individuals who want to apply psychological expertise in various professional fields such as health and social services, business, education or administration.

Admission Requirements for the Psychology Distance Learning Course

The following formal requirements apply for admission to the Bachelor’s degree programme in Psychology at HFH in accordance with the Hamburg Higher Education Act:

• With (subject-specific) university entrance qualification: Admission is possible with a general university entrance qualification, subject-specific entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences, or a subject-bound university entrance qualification (if subject affiliation is appropriate). No NC or waiting semesters are required.
• Without (subject-specific) university entrance qualification: Two alternative routes lead to admission:
  • Completed, recognised professional further training and participation in a fee-based counselling session.
  • Completed vocational training and subsequently at least two years of professional experience. In this case, admission is granted through a written entrance examination in two course-specific modules (within the framework of an auditing enrolment).
• Additional documents: Registration requires completed documents and – depending on access – appropriate certificates (e.g. certified transcripts, training certificates, professional experience).
• Previous practical experience in the field of psychology is not required for admission.
• The course is admission-free, i.e. without NC and without waiting semesters.

Personal Requirements and Recommended Characteristics

In addition to the formal conditions, prospective students should possess the following personal requirements and characteristics in order to successfully complete the psychology degree via distance learning:

• Self-motivation and self-organisation: The ability for structured, independent learning is important, as the study concept is based on personal initiative and flexible time management.
• Interest in psychological issues: Curiosity about human experience, behaviour and thinking as well as application-oriented psychological topics.
• Communication and reflection skills: Willingness to interact with others, reflect on one’s own actions and engage with complex, including personal, topics.
• Basic mathematical and statistical knowledge: A fundamental understanding of numbers is helpful for the scientific and methodological modules, especially statistics and diagnostics.
• Professional flexibility: The study structure is especially suitable for working professionals and people with family commitments. There is the option to choose between full-time and part-time study.

The course is therefore aimed at everyone who wants to acquire comprehensive psychological competencies and apply them across sectors, regardless of previous educational background.

Study Content in Detail

The Bachelor's degree programme in Psychology (B.Sc.) at the Hamburg Distance Learning University provides fundamental and applied competencies in psychology. The programme comprises a total of 180 ECTS credits and is modularly structured.

• Psychological Fundamentals: Introduction to psychology, general psychology, biopsychology, differential and personality psychology, social psychology, and developmental psychology.
• Scientific and Methodological Basis: Scientific work, psychological diagnostics, statistics, research methodology, as well as an empirical research project.
• Elective Modules (choose three):
  • Clinical Psychology: Examination and intervention in mental disorders, insights into medical and pharmacological basics.
  • Therapeutic Methods and Processes: Fundamentals of psychotherapy, disorders throughout the lifespan, preventive and rehabilitative concepts.
  • Educational Psychology: Learning and teaching methods, design of teaching/learning processes, specific psychological fields of action in education.
  • Work and Organisational Psychology: Personnel psychology, organisational psychology, analysis and design of work processes.
  • Health Psychology: Health promotion, workplace health management, stress and health-related behaviour.
• Supplementary Module (choose one): Emergency psychology, forensic psychology, school psychology, leadership psychology, engineering psychology, or cognitive psychology and neuroscience.
• Occupational Competencies: Development of self, social, and methodological skills, application of psychological measures and counselling methods.
• Practical Orientation: A mandatory six-week internship starting from the fourth semester enables the direct application of knowledge acquired during the course of study in practice.

The course offering follows the recommendations of the German Psychological Society (DGPs) and the Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP).