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Education Master's and PhD degree programmes Psychology
Header image Psychology

Psychology

Psychology is the key to understanding and modifying human behaviour and development. Our master covers a very wide range of areas, offers 10 tracks and a lot of room for your individual preferences.

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Psychology
Course type
Master
Duration
12 months (60 ECTS)
Croho code
60260
Language of instruction
English
Start
February, September
Faculty
Behavioural and Social Sciences
Why study this programme in Groningen?
  • The Psychology department in Groningen is ranked #38 in the world according to World University Rankings 2019.
  • We offer an internationally oriented programme with a strong emphasis on the integration of research results within education.
Programme

In order to graduate in your chosen track of the Master in Psychology, you are to take two foundation courses from that track (i.e. courses on the central topics of the track), the skills course of the track, one of the methodology courses, and two elective courses. These elective courses may be other courses in the track, but can also be courses from other Psychology master's tracks.

For all courses, 5 EC are awarded. The master thesis involves 10 or 20 EC, the internship involves 20 or 10 EC; together the internship and the thesis always cover 30 EC. The thesis is a report on your scientific research. The internship can be done in many different ways.

On the track's pages, you will find an overview of the specific courses for that track and a link to the master's course catalogue with courses for all tracks.

CoursesCourse Catalog >
for an overview of all courses in the master see the online catalogue

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional
Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Your previous education and chosen master track determine the application procedure and whether you are eligible for admission to the master or a possible premaster. Check https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie to find the admission requirements that apply to you.

language test

Depending on your background and language of the track of your choice, you will have to submit proof of your proficiency in either Dutch or English. For more information see https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie

other admission requirements

Selection Procedure
The number of master and pre-master places is limited for most tracks: if there are more applications than places for a track, then selection will take place. For more information, please have a look at this page.

Registration procedure

For all information, including above mentioned topics, please carefully inspect the pages on Application, Admission and Selection

Please note:
The following tracks only start in September:
- Clinical Forensic Psychology and Victimology
- Environmental Psychology
- Applied Social Psychology
- Talent Development & Creativity


Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 March 202501 September 2025
01 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
01 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
01 October 202501 February 2026

Please note:

The application deadlines for master tracks without selection are different: 1 May 2024 and 15 November 2024

We strongly advise non-EU/EEA students to submit the application well in advance of this deadline (more than 1 month) to allow sufficient time to obtain or renew a visa.

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

Your previous education and chosen master track determine the application procedure and whether you are eligible for admission to the master or a possible premaster. Check https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie to find the admission requirements that apply to you.

language test

Depending on your background and language of the track of your choice, you will have to submit proof of your proficiency in either Dutch or English. For more information see https://www.rug.nl/gmw/masters/psychology/toelatingseisen-masters-psychologie

other admission requirements

Selection Procedure
The number of master and pre-master places is limited for most tracks: if there are more applications than places for a track, then selection will take place. For more information, please have a look at this page .

Registration procedure

The information can be found on the page about Application, Admission and Selection .

Please note:
The following tracks only start in September:
- Clinical Forensic Psychology and Victimology
- Environmental Psychology
- Applied Social Psychology
- Talent Development & Creativity

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 March 202501 September 2025
01 October 202501 February 2026
EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
01 October 202501 February 2026
non-EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025
01 October 202501 February 2026

Please note:

The application deadlines for master tracks without selection are different: 1 May 2024 and 15 November 2024

We strongly advise non-EU/EEA students to submit the application well in advance of this deadline (more than 1 month) to allow sufficient time to obtain or renew a visa.

Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 20800full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

Psychologists often find work in mental healthcare institutions. They can intermediate between research and clinical practice. They can be adviser or consultant. You may also find them in companies and organizations, where they assess and select new personnel, or train employers. It is also possible to do research at a university or a private research institute.

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 examples

  • Forensic psychologist
  • Health care psychologist
  • Public information officer
  • Career advisor
  • Neuropsychologist
  • Market researcher
  • Crisis manager
  • Vocational and organizational expert
  • Communications consultant
  • Marketing consultant
  • Cognitive ergonomist
  • Traffic psychologist
  • Sport psychologist
  • Policy researcher
  • And more...
Research

Psychological Research: Something for you?

Are you thinking about what you will do after your bachelor or which master programme you would like to take? Perhaps you are especially interested in research and are you already following a master programme at the RUG that focusses on this aspect?

Do you want to know more about current developments in psychology at Groningen? Read the blog Mindwise: http://mindwise-groningen.nl.

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.

For a general overview of research of the Psychology department have a look at Mindwise. This is a blog platform of the Department of Psychology of the University of Groningen (located in the Netherlands). 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.


Apply nowBrochureEventsContact
Master's Weekdiverse locatiesMore information
presentatieGrote Kruisstraat 2More information

Contact

  • Studieadviseur Psychologie
    Email: studieadvies.psy rug.nl
    Telephone: +31 (0)50 3636301
  • Toelatingscommissie Master Psychologie (voor studenten met een Nederlands diploma)
    Email: toelatingscommissie.masterpsy rug.nl
  • Admission Office Ug (for students with a non-Dutch diploma)
    Email: admission rug.nl
    Telephone: +31-(0)50 363 8976

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
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