BSc in Psychology

Are you ready for the many challenges of studying behavior, 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 behavior and development in many fields, including psychological treatment, education, workplace, sports, environment, traffic, health, media, and more. In clinical professions, for example, you are concerned with the treatment of people with emotional or behavioral disorders or supporting patients with neurological deficits. Developmental issues are central to clinical work as well since the origins of maladaptive behavior often lie in early childhood.

In our bachelor program:

• you learn about theories of the biological, cognitive, social and environmental factors influencing behavior;
• 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 what fits best with the track in your future Master's program.

Why study this program in Groningen?

• the Psychology department in Groningen is ranked #38 in the world according to World University Rankings 2019
• very broad program 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

Program

Year 1

The first-year courses will introduce you to

• general psychology
• biological psychology
• developmental psychology
• personality psychology
• social psychology
• methods of research and statistics
• 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

Courses

• A Theoretical Introduction to Research Methods
• Cognitive Psychology
• Introduction to psychology
• Statistics Ia
• Academic skills
• A practical introduction to research methods
• Psychology: History and application
• Statistics Ib
• Developmental psychology
• Social and cross-cultural psychology
• Dialogue and group skills
• Biopsychology
• Personality and individual differences

Year 2

The classes are subdivided into various professional areas of psychologists:

• work, organizational and personnel psychology
• cognitive psychology
• clinical psychology
• clinical neuropsychology
• environment and social behavior

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, analyze and present a simple research project. Administering tests and the handling of diagnostics are highlighted during the practicals on professional skills.

Courses

• Cognitive Psychology (optional)
• Introduction to Clinical Neuropsychology
• Introduction to Clinical Neuropsychology (optional)
• Test theory
• Communication and diagnostic skills
• Statistics II
• Clinical psychology
• Psychology in the workplace
• Research methods: theory and ethics
• Social environment and behavior
• Research practicum
• Statistics III
• Working with Psychology
• Theory of Science

Year 3

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 one of the specializations of our master programs. Also, 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 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.

Courses

• Controversies in Psychology
• Deception in clinical settings
• Experimental skills
• Group dynamics
• Psychopathology symptoms, classification, and diagnostics
• Sport and performance psychology
• The social psychology of communication
• Teaching skills
• Bachelor theses
• Independent Societal Project
• Literature study
• Teaching and Mentoring in Psychology
• Consumer and economic psychology
• Gerontology
• Human error
• Interventions in individual development
• Introduction to cognitive-behavioral therapies
• Learning: Theory and practice
• Mass psychology
• Perception
• Philosophy of Psychology
• Social influence
• Understanding Psychopathology
• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Cognition and Attention
• Cognitive-behavioral processes across disorders: A transdiagnostic approach
• Conflict management
• Intergroup relations
• Organizational change
• Programming for psychologists
• School Neuropsychology: Mind, Brain & Education
• Social cognition and affect
• Dynamic skills in groups
• Cognitive neuroscience
• Developmental Neuropsychology
• Diagnosis and assessment
• Interpersonal relations
• Personnel Psychology

Study abroad

• Study abroad is optional

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

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Numerus Fixus

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

Application deadlines

Tuition fees

Job prospects

Psychologists get into jobs where a 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 programs of the institute. Quite a few staff members, whom you may have met as a teacher already, participate in these programs.