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

👉 The Master’s degree in Psychology at FernUni Switzerland is aimed at professionals and students who wish to further their qualifications flexibly and part-time alongside other commitments. The six-semester programme comprises 120 ECTS credits and imparts fundamental knowledge about human information processing, personality, development, as well as social and cultural influences. You will specialise in six key areas, including work, health, therapy, and cognition. Internships and a master’s thesis are mandatory. The course is primarily delivered through self-study with accompanying support and four online teaching days per semester. The semester fees amount to 1900 CHF. Upon completion, you will receive the protected professional title of Psychologist.

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 Master of Science (M.Sc.)
⏳ Duration 6 Semesters, Study effort 25 hours weekly
🎯 ECTS 120 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Diagnostics and intervention in affective, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders; diagnostics and intervention in addiction, psychoses with delusions, and personality disorders; developmental disorders; disorders in childhood and adolescence; methodological and statistical aspects of clinical research; stress – causes, effects, and coping; psychology internship; master's thesis.
📅 Enrollment Anytime
💶 Fees
from 8000 € total
🔗 More Info View Vendor Profile

Who is the Master’s Programme in Psychology at FernUni Switzerland Suitable For?

The Master’s degree in Psychology is aimed at graduates of a Bachelor’s degree programme in Psychology who wish to further their scientific qualifications and obtain the protected professional title of psychologist according to PsyG. It is particularly addressed to working professionals and individuals with family responsibilities who are looking for a flexible part-time course of study. The programme is ideal if you want to deepen your subject knowledge and prepare for fields of work such as health psychology, counselling, science, personnel management, or later specialisation, e.g. psychotherapy.

Admission: What Formal Criteria Apply to the Master’s Programme?

To be admitted to the Master of Science in Psychology, you need to provide the following evidence:

  • Completed university degree with a main subject in Psychology at Bachelor level (at least 180 ECTS), equivalent to a Swiss Bachelor’s degree.
  • Knowledge in clinical psychology and psychopathology, if you are aiming for postgraduate training in psychotherapy (at least 12 ECTS recommended).
  • For non-German-speaking prior studies: ability to study in German at C1 level (GER); proof by language certificate or graduation certificate from a German-speaking school/university.
  • Recommended: English skills at level B2, since part of the specialised literature is available exclusively in English.

Personal requirements include:

  • Willingness to learn independently for approximately 25 hours per week as part of a part-time distance learning programme.
  • Analytical skills and a solid interest in psychological theories and research approaches.
  • Good communication skills, especially in written exchange and for collaboration on the learning platform.
  • Motivation to work independently on both abstract and practical psychological issues.
  • A sense of responsibility for meeting deadlines and self-directed learning planning.

What content is taught in the Master’s in Psychology at FernUni Switzerland?

In the Master’s degree in Psychology at FernUni Switzerland, you deepen your knowledge of human experience and behaviour. The programme is scientifically oriented and combines fundamental and methodological know-how with practical applications in six specialisation areas:

  • Work Psychology: Psychological aspects of work, organisation and personnel development.
  • Economic Psychology: Influence of psychological processes on markets, consumption and economic behaviour.
  • Educational Psychology: Promotion of learning processes, development and motivation in educational institutions.
  • Health Psychology: Mental health, prevention and intervention in different life situations.
  • Therapy and Clinical Psychology: Diagnosis and intervention in affective disorders, anxiety, trauma consequences, addiction, personality disorders as well as psychological problems in childhood and adolescence.
  • Cognitive Psychology: Mechanisms of information processing, perception and decision-making.
You train methodical work through research-related modules in statistics and empirical research. A compulsory internship as well as the independent scientific master’s thesis promote your application skills and self-organisation. Numerous modules offer clinical-psychological and psychopathological content, enabling you to meet the requirements for subsequent psychotherapy training.

How is the study process and organisation structured?

The Master’s degree comprises 120 ECTS credits and is ideally designed for part-time study alongside employment. The standard period of study is 6 semesters (3 years) with a weekly workload of approximately 25–30 hours. You start either in February or August and study independently through guided self-study. The study materials are provided in multimedia format and regularly supervised by teaching teams. In addition to self-study, there are four online teaching days per semester on Saturdays.

  • Access to forums and e-mail support for individual exchange
  • Supervised consultation hours to clarify your questions
  • Internship and master’s thesis compulsory in the final year of study
  • Optional: bilingual study possible with German/French (at least 40 ECTS in the second language)

The modules are taken in a recommended sequence but allow a certain flexibility for individual study planning. Exams and assessments take place on a semester basis.

Which career paths does the Master’s degree open up?

Upon successful completion, you receive the protected professional title Psychologist according to Swiss psychology professional law. You qualify for diverse professional fields:

  • Health & Social Services: Psychosocial counselling, health psychology, traffic psychology, sports psychology
  • Business & Work: Personnel management, market research, marketing, communication, consulting, administration
  • Science & Education: Positions at universities (e.g. research assistant), school psychology, career, study and vocational counselling

With the Master’s degree you meet all the requirements for postgraduate further education (FSP-recognised specialisations such as psychotherapy, child or neuropsychology, forensic psychology and others). Admission to a PhD at Swiss universities is also possible, provided the respective admission criteria (e.g. minimum grade) are met. In addition to specialist positions in research and counselling, you benefit from high demand in applied fields such as health promotion or personnel development.

What costs should you expect for the Psychology Master’s programme?

The tuition fees for the Master’s in Psychology amount to CHF 1,900 per semester. With a standard duration of 6 semesters, this results in a total of CHF 11,400 (around 8,000 euros, conversion depending on the exchange rate). This includes all enrolment and examination services for the semester. Additionally, there may be module-dependent costs for books, software or other materials.

  • Flat semester fee, regardless of module selection
  • Payment due before the start of each semester
  • Additional costs may arise from specialised books and digital resources

Instalment payment per semester is possible; external scholarships or education loans may be claimed depending on individual circumstances. The training costs are tax-deductible as professional development expenses in the tax declaration.

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