Who is the distance learning Psychology programme (B.Sc.) suitable for?

The distance learning Psychology programme at Hochschule Fresenius is the right choice for you if you have a strong interest in human behaviour, scientific work, and social contexts. Whether you have just finished school, are employed, a career changer, a parent, or an athlete with flexible time requirements – the programme is aimed at everyone who wants to study psychology independently of location and time. It particularly addresses people who want to avoid a numerus clausus or A-levels (Abitur), already have professional experience, or want to further qualify alongside their job or family commitments. The flexible study organisation and various admission options also make the programme attractive for graduates of advanced training qualifications, such as master craftsmen or business administrators.

What formal requirements do you need to meet?

There are several ways to gain admission to the Bachelor's degree programme in Psychology:

• General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur): Entitles you to start your studies directly at all universities and colleges.
• Advanced technical college entrance qualification or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification: Entitles you to study in the designated federal state (advanced technical college entrance qualification) or in the corresponding subject area (subject-specific higher education entrance qualification).
• Vocational training plus work experience: With a completed vocational training of at least two years and subsequently at least two years of professional experience in a relevant field, you can be admitted after passing a subject-specific university entrance examination.
• Advanced training qualification (for example master craftsman examination, business administrator, business economist, technician) with at least 400 hours of instruction: A subject-related university entrance examination is also required.
• Intermediate school-leaving certificate plus three-year vocational training (grade 2.5 or better): You can start with a study agreement if you achieve at least 18 ECTS in the first semester or at least 30 ECTS in the first year. If the final grade is worse than 2.5, a university entrance examination is also necessary.

Personally, you should be willing to learn independently, have basic mathematical and statistical skills, as well as an interest in empirical methods. Communication skills, analytical thinking, and openness to digital learning formats are helpful. You should plan about 15–20 hours per week for the part-time distance learning programme.

Studying Psychology: Content and Competences in the Bachelor Distance Learning Programme

In the Psychology distance learning programme (B.Sc.) at Hochschule Fresenius, you acquire solid knowledge in the core areas of psychology. The course provides you with a broad foundation of knowledge and practical competences for scientific work as well as methodological skills.

• Empirical-scientific work: Introduction to research methods, data analysis and statistics form the basis. You sharpen your understanding of scientific procedures, acquire knowledge in quantitative and qualitative research and practise the evaluation of psychological data in two consecutive statistics modules.
• Foundations of psychology: The modules General Psychology I & II, Biological Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Personality and Differential Psychology as well as Social Psychology convey the most important theories, models and application fields of the discipline.
• Diagnostics and research: You learn the basics of test theory, engage with psychological diagnostics and deepen your knowledge in an empirical-experimental internship.
• Specialist applications: In subsequent stages, you gain insights into Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Educational Psychology and Work, Organisational and Business Psychology.
• Elective focus areas: You choose from current topics such as Psychology, Education and Digitalisation, E-Health, Communication Psychology or Applied Psychology for the Digital Transformation, thereby tailoring your profile to your interests and career goals.

In addition, you develop skills in reflecting societal developments, critical thinking and interdisciplinary problem-solving. Projects and a practical project enhance your transfer competences and specifically prepare you for complex tasks in your professional career.