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Study psychology abroad

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Find psychology programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

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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.

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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:

  • Foundations of psychology

    This will include a focus on the four main areas of psychology

  • Research methods

    These will cover the quantitative and qualitative research methods you’ll need in order to complete your research project.

  • Conceptual and historical issues

    This covers how psychology theory has changed over time and what factors will affect its development in the future.

  • Individual differences

    This looks at why people have different personalities, how we can measure intelligence and how we treat mental disorders. This is often linked to social psychology.

  • Optional modules

    Depending on the university, you can usually choose some of the modules you study so you can specialize in an area you enjoy. These could include things like forensic psychology, neuropsychiatry or addiction.

  • Research project

    Most psychology degrees will include a year-long research project in the final year of your studies. This will make up a significant part of your final assessment.

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.

See all universities offering psychology programs

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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    Psychology/Pacific Studies Heritage and Arts - BA University of the South Pacific, Fiji

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    18,000 FJD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    July, February
    Show program overview about A Double Major in Psychology / Pacific Studies Heritage and Arts
  • false

    Psychology - BA Midway University, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    25,480 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Psychology
  • false

    Psychology - BSc Campbellsville University, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    25,600 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about B.A./B.S. Psychology
  • false

    Criminology with Psychology - BA (Hons) (with foundation) Bournemouth University, UK

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    16,250 GBP

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about BA (Hons) Criminology with Psychology
  • false

    Psychology - BA International Business School Budapest, Hungary

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    7,400 EUR

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about BA in Psychology

Associate in psychology

  • false

    Psychology - AA Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Canada

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    22,415 CAD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September, January, May
    Show program overview about Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology
  • false

    Psychology - AAS-T Big Bend Community College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    29,789 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about GENERIC AA&S-DTA TRANSFER DEGREE PSYCHOLOGY
  • false

    Human Services: Psychology - AASc Lake Land College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    13,900 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    June, August, January
    Show program overview about Human Services: Psychology
  • false

    Liberal Arts & Sciences: Psychology - ASc Mohawk Valley Community College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    7,743 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Liberal Arts & Sciences: Psychology
  • false

    Liberal Studies: Psychology - AA CIS - The College For International Studies, Spain

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    20,440 EUR

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    May, September, January
    Show program overview about Liberal Studies: Psychology

Diploma in psychology

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    General Arts and Science: Psychology and Sociology - Dip Lethbridge College, Canada
    • Blended learning

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    13,410 CAD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September, January, May
    Show program overview about General Arts and Science: Psychology and Sociology

Certificate in psychology

  • false

    Psychology - Cert HE University of Essex International College, UK
    • Online
    • Part-time

    Program type
    Undergraduate certificate
    Duration
    16 months
    Annual tuition fee
    6,475 GBP

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    May, July, September, January, March
    Show program overview about CertHE Psychology

Pathway in psychology

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    Psychology (International Year One) - UGP University of Essex International College, UK

    Program type
    Undergraduate pathway
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    21,440 GBP

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    May, September, January
    Show program overview about Psychology, International Year One

Psychology graduate programs

Master's in psychology

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    Addiction Counseling in Psychology - MCounsPsy Colorado State University, USA

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    32,058 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    January, August
    Show program overview about Addiction Counseling in Psychology (M.A.C.P.) - Natural Sciences, On-Campus"
  • false

    Adult Continuing Education: Counseling and Psychology - MSc University of West Alabama, USA
    • Online

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    12,870 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    May, August, January
    Show program overview about Adult Continuing Education: Counseling and Psychology
  • false

    Arts (Thesis): Psychology - MA (Thesis) University of Canterbury, New Zealand

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    32,000 NZD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    May, June, July, August, September, October, November, January, February, March, April
    Show program overview about Arts (Thesis): Psychology
  • false

    Psychology - MSc Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    37,571 NZD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    July
    Show program overview about Psychology
  • false

    Education: Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology - MEd University of Manitoba, Canada

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    19,491 CAD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Education - Educational Administration, Foundations and Psychology (MEd)

Doctorate in psychology

  • false

    Psychology - PsyD University of Prince Edward Island, Canada

    Program type
    Doctorate
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    16,320 CAD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
  • false

    Psychology and Educational Specialist - Dual EdS/MSc Millersville University, USA

    Program type
    Doctorate/Master's
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    15,363 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    January
    Show program overview about Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology and Educational Specialist (Ed.S.)
  • false

    Psychology - PhD Clark University, USA

    Program type
    Doctorate
    Duration
    5 years
    Annual tuition fee
    10,952 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Ph.D. in Psychology
  • false

    Psychology - PhD RMIT University, Australia

    Program type
    Doctorate
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    34,560 AUD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    July, February
    Show program overview about PhD (Psychology)
  • false

    Psychology - PhD London South Bank University, UK

    Program type
    Doctorate
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    16,900 GBP

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September, January, April
    Show program overview about Psychology

Diploma in psychology

  • false

    Psychology - PGDip University of Essex International College, UK
    • Online
    • Part-time

    Program type
    Postgraduate diploma
    Duration
    16 months
    Annual tuition fee
    8,285 GBP

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    July, October, January, April
    Show program overview about PG Dip Psychology
  • false

    Psychology (Conversion) - PGDip University of Liverpool International College, UK
    • Online
    • Part-time

    Program type
    Postgraduate diploma
    Duration
    20 months
    Annual tuition fee
    10,710 GBP

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    May, October, January, March
    Show program overview about Psychology (Conversion) PGDip
  • false

    Science and Technology: Psychology - PGDip Massey University, New Zealand

    Program type
    Postgraduate diploma
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    40,870 NZD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    July, November, February
    Show program overview about Science and Technology: Psychology
  • false

    Science: Psychology - PGDipSc University of Canterbury, New Zealand

    Program type
    Postgraduate diploma
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    39,500 NZD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    July, February
    Show program overview about Science: Psychology

Certificate in psychology

  • false

    Psychology - PGCert University of Essex International College, UK
    • Online
    • Part-time

    Program type
    Postgraduate certificate
    Duration
    8 months
    Annual tuition fee
    4,143 GBP

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    July, October, January, April
    Show program overview about PG Cert Psychology

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.