Psychology degrees abroad
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and how it influences our behavior. It helps us better understand what makes us tick, and is one of the most popular university subjects to study at home and abroad.
Choosing to study psychology abroad can open up a huge number of opportunities, and there are plenty of great psychology degree programs available all over the world for international students to choose from.
You can study psychology at undergraduate, graduate and doctorate levels, and in most cases you will need to study at graduate level in order to become a qualified psychologist.


Psychology program structure
Most psychology degrees are made up of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Some programs also offer a year work placement which let you apply the theory you’ve learned in a working environment. This hands-on experience can help you when it comes to choosing your future career and is a good addition to your CV.
Exactly what you study, and the depth of detail will depend on the degree level you are studying.
The course structure and scope of studying psychology abroad will also vary depending on the country and university you’re studying in. However, common themes and modules you’ll see in a psychology program curriculum include:
Types of psychology degrees
Psychology is a broad topic, and a psychology degree will aim to give you an understanding of all the areas of the subject.
However, there are many options and concentrations you can choose from that offer a more focussed curriculum in a specific area. Some common psychology subdisciplines you could study include:
- Clinical psychology
- Counseling psychology
- Experiment psychology
- Abnormal psychology
- Criminal psychology
- Applied psychology
- Child psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Educational psychology
- Forensic psychology
- Social psychology
- Sport psychology
It’s worth exploring one of these programs if there’s an area of psychology you’re most interested in. Psychology can often be studied as a joint degree in combination with another subject, like sociology, education, business or mathematics.
Why study psychology abroad
Successfully completing a psychology degree will not only give you great career prospects, but it will also enhance your understanding of the people and world around you. Psychology is the perfect subject for those with an inquisitive mind, and a passion for helping people.
Choosing to study psychology abroad opens you up the opportunity of studying a much wider range of programs, and will give your studies an international perspective that can give you an edge in your future career.


Where to study psychology abroad
An important factor to remember when deciding where to study psychology is where you want to work after graduating. It will be easier to work as a practicing psychologist in the country you are studying in, provided you can get the correct work visa because you will be accredited in that country.
For example, in the UK, your degree will need to be accredited by the BPS (British Psychological Society) to practice. However, you can still work in the UK if your undergraduate and postgraduate education took place abroad, but you will need to contact the BPS and meet certain criteria and potentially do some additional studies.
Consider how long you want to study before you start work. If you want to practice as a psychologist in the US or UK, you’ll need a doctorate, however, in some countries you only need a master’s degree. This means studying and working in these countries would offer a much shorter pathway to your chosen career.
Best countries to study psychology
Europe is regarded as the birthplace of psychology, so many of the best courses are located here.
The UK offers some of the most highly ranked psychology programs in the world, as does the Netherlands. Germany also boasts a number of well respected psychology courses and has the added allure of meaning you’ll be studying in the country where the discipline was born.
The US is at the forefront of modern psychology theory and is home to many of the subject’s top-ranked programs. It’s also a great location if you want to stay and work after graduating, with many psychology related career opportunities available.
Best universities to study psychology
The best university for you to study psychology will offer a program that matches your interests and ambitions and be in a country you want to live in for at least three years.
Take a close look at the program curriculum in detail, and think about what the course offers. Ask yourself questions like:
- Do I want to study a degree that includes work placement or internship?
- Do I want a course that offers more practical learning?
- How long do I want to study?
There are a large number of universities that offer psychology degrees, so take your time to make the right decision. It’s also important to think about what the university offers outside of the classroom.
How to study psychology abroad
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Psychology study abroad programs
Psychology degrees abroad are offered at several different levels. At undergraduate level you can study a bachelor’s as a BA or BSc. There may be slight differences between the two, for example a BSc may have a stronger focus on scientific study and research, but generally, the curriculums are the same. They usually take three or four years to complete depending on the country you are studying in.
As a graduate, you can study for a master’s as an MA, MS or MSci. An MSci is offered as a four year undergraduate program with an integrated master’s level qualification. Studying a separate master’s after your undergraduate degree will usually take between one and two years.
You can also study for a PhD in psychology, and it’s often necessary to do this if you want to practice as a psychologist. These programs will be largely research based, and can take two or three years to complete.
Psychology undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in psychology
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Business and Management and Psychology - BA (Hons) Bath Spa University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,455 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,300 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Humanities: English and Psychology - BA (Hons) Institute of Technology Sligo, Ireland
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,702 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,500 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
Sport and Exercise Psychology - BSc (Hons) University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 6 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,087 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,500 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Business and Psychology - BSc (Hons) Buckinghamshire New University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,006 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,500 GBP
- Start date
- September, February
-
Psychology - BA National University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,320 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,320 USD
- Start date
- July, September, January, April
Associate in psychology
-
Psychology (for Transfer) - AA Merritt College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,950 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD
- Start date
- August, January, June
-
Psychology - AA College of Alameda, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,950 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD
- Start date
- January, August, June
-
Psychology - AA Douglas College, Canada
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,147 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- September, January, May
-
Psychology - AA Hesston College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
28,992 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,992 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Psychology (Transfer Pathway) - AA St. Charles Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
5,520 USD
Fee in university's local currency 5,520 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Pathway in psychology
-
Criminology & Psychology (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,829 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,900 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
Psychology graduate programs
Master's in psychology
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Health Psychology - MSc University of Stirling, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,699 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,950 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Psychology (Conversion) - MSc Edge Hill University, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,026 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,250 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Psychology: Industrial Organization - MSc California State University, Long Beach, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,604 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,604 USD
- Start date
- August, January
-
Psychology - MA Long Island University Brooklyn, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,618 USD
Fee in university's local currency 21,618 USD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Psychology - MSc Liverpool Hope University, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,509 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,400 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
Doctorate in psychology
-
Psychology - PhD London South Bank University, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,747 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,780 GBP
- Start date
- January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December
-
Psychology - PhD University of Nicosia, Cyprus
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
5,444 USD
Fee in university's local currency 4,500 EUR
- Start date
- September
-
Psychology - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 6 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,972 USD
Fee in university's local currency 8,800 GBP
- Start date
- October, February
-
Psychology - PhD University of Tasmania, Australia
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
28,929 USD
Fee in university's local currency 37,493 AUD
- Start date
- February, July
-
Psychology - PhD RMIT University, Australia
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
23,703 USD
Fee in university's local currency 30,720 AUD
- Start date
- February
Certificate in psychology
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Business Psychology (Exit Award) - PGCert University of Newcastle, Australia
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 6 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,578 USD
Fee in university's local currency 20,190 AUD
- Start date
- February, July, September
Pathway in psychology
-
Occupational and Organizational Psychology, Pre-Masters - PGP University of Surrey, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate pathway
- Duration
- 6 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,645 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,500 GBP
- Start date
- February, September

Entry requirements to study psychology abroad
The specific entry requirements for each psychology course will depend on the country and university you’re applying to, however there are some requirements you’ll always need to meet:
- Completion of secondary education in your home country
- A clear interest in, and passion for, psychology
- Satisfactory English language proficiency test scores
- A bachelor’s degree, usually in psychology or a related field, to study at postgraduate level
Check the requirements for your chosen program carefully before you apply, to see what grades you’ll need. The application process will also be unique to the country, university and program you’re applying to, but you can see the general study abroad application requirements here.
Future psychology careers
One of the most attractive things about a degree in psychology is that it opens you up to a huge number of potential new careers - it’s not just for practicing psychologists.
It can give you loads of transferable skills that most employers value, so you’ll have plenty of options after graduation.
Here are some of the most common careers that psychology graduates go into:
- Psychologist (you can also specialize in a specific area, e.g. clinical, educational, forensic psychology etc.)
- Counseling
- Advice work (e.g. careers adviser)
- Police officer
- Marketing
- Human resources
- Probation officer
Remember that to become a practicing psychologist you will usually need at least a master’s degree, and often a doctorate. However, a bachelor’s degree in psychology is still a valuable asset that many employers look at favorably.
