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Education Bachelor's degree programmes Psychology (EN)
Header image Psychology (EN)

Psychology (EN)

Are you ready for the many challenges of studying behaviour, awareness and the brain? Then this study will suit you, for psychology pervades all forms of human activity.

As a psychologist you deal with human behaviour and development in many fields, including psychological treatment, education, work place, sports, environment, traffic, health, media, and more. In clinical professions, for example, you are concerned with the treatment of people with emotional or behavioural disorders or supporting patients with neurological deficits. Developmental issues are central to clinical work as well, since origins of maladaptive behaviour often lie in early childhood.

In our bachelor programme:

  • you learn about theories of the biological, cognitive, social and environmental factors influencing behaviour;
  • you obtain basic communicational and diagnostic skills necessary for work in practice;
  • you are trained to get an in-depth focus on the methodological and statistical knowledge and skills essential for scientific research;
  • you learn to reflect on scientific theory in psychology;
  • you learn to reflect on your own development as a psychologist;
  • you have the possibility to focus on a domain of your own interest and that fits best with the track in your future Master programme.


In English-language Bachelor of Psychology all courses are taught in English. If you have sufficient proficiency in Dutch, it is also possible to take elective courses that are offered exclusively in Dutch. In the Dutch-language Bachelor Psychologie all mandatory courses are taught in Dutch. The elective courses in the third year can be taught in either Dutch or English.

You can take the Bachelor of Psychology also in Dutch. The content of both programmes is the same. However, there may be slight differences in the elective courses offered.

Facts & Figures
Degree
BSc in Psychology
Course type
Bachelor
Duration
36 months (180 ECTS)
Croho code
56604
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Behavioural and Social Sciences
Studie in Cijfers
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • the Psychology department in Groningen is ranked #41 in the world according to World University Rankings 2020
  • very broad programme based on recognized and versatile expertise
  • easy access to the international world of research
  • learn from and interact with an international group of students and instructors
  • strong emphasis on integration research results
  • the faculty offers Buddy Support: current students help new students get adjusted to life in Groningen
Programme

The first year courses will introduce you to

  • biological psychology
  • developmental psychology
  • personality psychology
  • social psychology
  • methods of research and statistics
  • cognitive Psychology
  • history and applications

The teaching of skills takes place in small groups under the guidance of a teacher/mentor and focuses on:

  • acquiring basic academic skills (reading, presenting, writing, study skills)
  • applying statistical knowledge and research methods
  • learning professional methods of interviewing and the mastering of group dynamics
Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Developmental psychology
Introduction to psychological theories and research methods
Statistics I A
Academic skills
A practical introduction to research methods
Biopsychology
Personality and individual differences
Statistics I B
Social and cross-cultural psychology
Dialogue and group skills
Cognitive psychology
History of psychology

The classes are subdivided in various professional areas of psychologists:

  • work, organizational and personnel psychology
  • clinical psychology
  • clinical neuropsychology
  • application of psychological theories in practice

Statistics, test theory, and research methodology are taught and in a practical form. You will be taught in small groups how to set up, describe, analyse and present a simple research project. Administering tests and the handling of diagnostics are highlighted during the practicals on professional skills.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Clinical psychology
Test theory and test use
Communication and diagnostic skills
Statistics II
Clinical neuropsychology
Work and organizational psychology
Application of psychological theories in practice
Research methods: theory and ethics
Psychological fields
Research practicum
Statistics III
Theory of Science

The first two years are the same for everyone and they have a broad orientation. You can now compose your courses to prepare optimally for on of the specializations of our master programmes. You can choose from many other courses within the field of psychology or from a different context, even at foreign universities.

Important in this year is the bachelor thesis: an academic report about your own research project executed in a small group and supervised by a staff member. During the writing of the thesis you can combine the knowledge that you have gained during your studies with statistical, diagnostic and methodological skills.

Semesters
CoursesCourse Catalog >1a1b2a2b
Cognitive Psychology
Controversies in Psychology
Deception in clinical settings
Experimental skills
Group dynamics
Introduction to Clinical Neuropsychology
Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
Psychopatholog symp. classif. and diagn.
Sport and performance psychology
The social psychology of communication
Traffic psychology and sustained mobility
Well-being at work
Teaching skills
Bachelorthese
Independent Societal Project
Literature study
Teaching and Mentoring in Psychology
Consumer and economic psychology
Human error
Interventions in individual development
Introduction to cognitive behavioural therapies
Mass psychology
Neuropsychology of Ageing and Dementia
Organizational development and change
Perception
Philosophy of Psychology
Social influence
Statistical solutions to research problems in psychology
Understanding Psychopathology
Capita Selecta Forensic Psychology
Clinical Neuropsychology
Cognition and Attention
Cognitive behavioural processes across disorders: A transdiagnostic approach
Conflict management
Intergroup relations
Programming for psychologists
School Neuropsychology: Mind, Brain & Education
Social cognition and affect
Dynamic skills in groups
Brain, Consciousness and Society
Capita Selecta Human Sexology
Cognitive neuroscience
Developmental Neuropsychology
Diagnosis and assessment
Interpersonal relations
Personnel Psychology
Programme options
University of Groningen Honours College (track)

The Honours College gives talented, motivated students the opportunity to challenge themselves even more by offering an extra programme.

For the Bachelor programme 30 ECTS extra. The programme is followed in addition to the regular Bachelor's degree programme.

More information about this option

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional

The programme offers the possibility to do a minor at a foreign university.

Entry requirements

Admissible Dutch diploma profiles

  • VWO Natuur & Techniek
  • VWO Natuur & Gezondheid
  • VWO Economie & Maatschappij
  • VWO Cultuur & Maatschappij
  • HBO propedeuse

    There are additional requirements for students with a hbo-propedeuse. For more informatie see https://www.rug.nl/gmw/hbo-propedeuse

  • academic propedeuse

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Applicants transferring from a Psychology bachelor's program from another Dutch university, follow the same application and enrollment steps as other candidates, including selection. After full enrollment, you can request exemptions through the Examination Board. Note: Apply by 15 January 2025, via Studielink as a first-year student.

knowledge minimum

All Dutch students are obliged to have mathematics in their secondary education. This is essential for several topics, and most evident for Statistics, which occupies a large place in the Bachelor's degree.

other admission requirements

Selection procedure
The University of Groningen has a numerus fixus for the bachelor's program in Psychology. This means that only a limited number of students (600) can be admitted. The available places are assigned through a selection procedure. See this page for more information.

Numerus Fixus

This programme has a numerus fixus with a maximum of 600 attendees a year.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 January 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students15 January 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students15 January 202501 September 2025

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

If you hold an EU secondary school diploma comparable to a Dutch vwo-diploma you are admissible. You can find out what the entry requirements are here: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/non-dutch-qualification/bachelor-non-dutch-qualification A rule-of-thumb for students holding an EU-diploma (no rights may be derived from this): If your diploma gives admittance to academic universities in the country of origin of your diploma, then it also gives admittance to universities in the Netherlands.

knowledge minimum

All Dutch students are obliged to have mathematics in their secondary education. This is essential for several topics, and most evident for Statistics, which occupies a large place in the Bachelor's degree. It is strongly recommended that you have taken mathematics throughout your high school career.

language test

Non-native English speakers must provide evidence of satisfactory results for one of the standard tests. For an overview, please see https://www.rug.nl/gmw/bachelors/psychology/bachelor-psychology-english

other admission requirements

Selection procedure
The University of Groningen has a numerus fixus for the bachelor's program in Psychology. This means that only a limited number of students (600) can be admitted. The available places are assigned through a selection procedure. See this page for more information.

Numerus Fixus

This programme has a numerus fixus with a maximum of 600 attendees a year.

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students15 January 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students15 January 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students15 January 202501 September 2025
Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 13100full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

With the Bachelor's degree in Psychology, you are well prepared for a subsequent study in Psychology. Have you already thought about a specific master? Then take a good look at the (additional) requirements. For some tracks of our own Master's in Psychology additional conditions may apply on top of the Bachelor's degree in Psychology. At the bottom of this page, you find other master's programmes that are in line with the Bachelor's degree in Psychology.
NB In the course of time the offer of masters/tracks may change. At the moment there are only a limited number of places in the Master's programme in Psychology.

Career services BSS
Where do you want to work after your studies? You can contact Career Services already during your studies. They will help you orientate on your career, develop your skills, apply for jobs and find an internship.

Job prospects

Psychologists get into jobs where thorough knowledge of human possibilities and constraints is important. For instance a job in mental health care. You should think of assistance or therapy. Psychologists can also work in business or in organizations. For example, they are used to recruit new staff, in coaching or training. Finally, it is possible to find yourself in research institutes or universities.

Job examples

  • Forensic psychologist
  • Student psychologist
  • Vocational and organizational expert
  • Sport psychologist
  • Prevention officer
  • Market researcher
  • Career and organizational consultant
  • Communication advisor
  • Traffic psychologist
  • Marketing consultant
  • Cognitive ergonomist
  • Policy researcher
  • Information officer
Research

Psychological research at this university is done at the Heymans Institute, called after the founding father of psychology in the Netherlands. The versatility of its research, ranging from fundamental to very practical, manifests itself in the seven research programmes of the institute. Quite a few staff members, whom you may have met as a teacher already, participate in these programmes.

Researchers within Psychology

To help you orientate on psychological research, this site periodically highlights three researchers from different subfields of psychology. We hope these web pages present interesting information and may inspire you to gather some ideas for a topic for a master thesis.

Projecten van prof.dr. M.M. (Monicque) Lorist
Projecten van prof.dr. T.T. (Tom) Postmes
Projecten van dr. B.D. (Brian) Ostafin

Mindwise

Staff and students write in a personal capacity about psychological research and education in Groningen, and express their opinions on current affairs based on their expertise. Here you can get a good idea of research conducted in the expertise fields based on current topics.

Mindwise blogs written by members of the expertise fields:
Experimental Psychology | Organizational Psychology | Environmental Psychology | Social Psychology | Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology | Theory and History of Psychology | Developmental Psychology | Psychometrics and Statistics | Clinical Neuropsychology


Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
open dagdiverse locatiesMore information

Contact

  • Study Advisors Psychology (about the programme, enrollment, studying)
    Email: studyadvice.psy rug.nl
  • Admission Office (Contact form) (for students with a non-Dutch diploma)
  • Gmw Roosters
  • Student Ambassadors Psychology (Would you like to know something about studying Psychology from a student expert by experience?)
    Email: studyinformation.bss rug.nl
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Study associations

VIP

VIP is the study association for the Psychology students at the University of Groningen.
VIP organizes study-related and social activities. As a VIP-member, you receive a discount on study books as well as a discount on VIP activities. On this website, you can find more information about VIP, our events, committees, and the book sale.
https://www.vipsite.nl/
Read more
(Binding) study advice
  • A minimum of 45 EC in the first 12 months (binding)

You will be offered study advice after the first year of study. You can expect a positive result if you have earned more than 45 ECTS credit points (out of a total of 60 ECTS). If you have earned fewer than 45 ECTS and are issued a negative result, you will not be allowed to continue with your degree programme.

You will receive preliminary study advice in December to make sure that you know where you stand. Please contact your study advisor as soon as possible if you have any questions about the BSA system. N.B. Some degree programmes use a tutoring system; please check with your study advisor.

Study support

In the psychology programme, there is a strong focus on study advice. Study advisors are available for both the Dutch-taught and English-taught programmes.

You can contact them as a prospective student, current student, or former student of programmes within the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences.

Study advisors can assist you with questions regarding:
• the content of the programme
• planning and organising your studies
• choices during your study
• registrations
• programme regulations
• taking courses outside your programme
• studying abroad

They are also available for personal support.
Don't hesitate to get in touch or make an appointment with one of the study advisors.

For brief questions, please email: studyadvice.psy rug.nl
You can make an appointment via the online scheduling system: https://fbss.as.me/schedule/9de94536,
or by phone through the education desk: +31 50 3636301

Study support
The entire first year of the programme students belong to one same group. They are supported by tutors, who keep in close touch with the academic advisors.

In the propaedeutic course 'Writing and presenting' students get support at learning how to study in an academical environment, for example by writing a study schedule, exercising making summaries, mind maps and other study-help techniques.
When study problems seem to arise in the first year, the student will be referred to an academic advisor.
Finally there is a coach workshop, in which master students or recently graduated work and organizational psychology students learn how to coach, after which they coach co-students in the bachelor programme.

The entire first year of the programme students belong to one same group. They are supported by tutors, who keep in close touch with the academic advisors.

In the propaedeutic course 'Writing and presenting' students get support at learning how to study in an academical environment, for example by writing a study schedule, exercising making summaries, mind maps and other study-help techniques.
When study problems seem to arise in the first year, the student will be referred to an academic advisor.

Finally there is a coach workshop, in which master students or recently graduated work and organizational psychology students learn how to coach, after which they coach co-students in the bachelor programme.
Related master's programmes