Psychology BSc

Leuphana Bachelor

How can people be encouraged to adopt sustainable consumer behaviors? How can people be motivated to change their health behaviors? How do people react to the progressive digitalisation? And how can good leadership be promoted in organisations? Studying psychology at Leuphana College means dealing with our society and its challenges, as well as looking at individuals and groups as actors in this society. Those who choose to study psychology at Leuphana College are fundamentally interested in exploring and understanding how humans think, feel, and act in various contexts of societal relevance. Its modern and future-oriented focus aimed at socially relevant issues gives the Psychology major a unique profile in Germany and internationally.

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BACHELOR: Psychology Major

Over the course of six semesters, you acquire comprehensive knowledge in the basic and applied subjects of psychology. Accompanied by profound methodological training in empirical research and psychological diagnostics, you continuously apply your newly acquired knowledge to practical issues in areas such as education, economics, politics, and society. 

Embedded in the study of basic psychological subjects (e.g., social psychology, general psychology, personality psychology), the focus of the Psychology major at Leuphana College is always on applying and transferring psychological theories and interventions to socially relevant contexts.

You deal with crucial questions of our time, to which psychology can make an essential contribution:

  • Why do political decision-makers fail to negotiate sustainable solutions for the global challenges in our world?
  • Why do individuals favor members from their ingroup and discriminate members from outgroups?
  • How do people engage in collective actions to achieve their societal goals?

If you are interested in these questions and keen to explore and understand social phenomena from a psychological perspective, the Psychology major at College is ideal for you.

Minor programmes for Major Psychology

At Leuphana College you are provided with the opportunity to tailor your studies to your respective interests. For this purpose, you can choose from different minor subjects to complement your Psychology major:

  • Psychology & Society: The Psychology & Society minor provides insights into current topics and research in socially relevant areas such as health, sustainability and environment, politics, and media. At the heart of this minor is the application of psychological theories and interventions for the benefit of society. Given its international orientation, the minor is taught in English. The combination of Psychology major and Psychology & Society minor is a Bachelor degree programme accredited with the seal of quality of the German Society for Psychology (DGPs). Graduates generally meet the admission criteria for consecutive psychology Masters programmes.
  • Business Psychology: In the Business Psychology minor, you concentrate exclusively on psychological aspects that are relevant in business and industry. You can set an individual focus in the areas of personnel and organisation, work and technology, or market and consumption. This minor is taught in German.

The Leuphana psychology programme intentionally excludes the focus on Psychotherapy or Clinical Psychology and is aimed at socially relevant fields of practice instead (e.g., education, public service, economic organisations, political institutions). In accordance with this social psychological focus of the B.Sc. Psychology at Leuphana College, Clinical Psychology cannot be selected as an application focus.

Please note

Graduates of the Psychology Bachelor degree programme therefore do not qualify for consecutive Masters degree programmes in Psychotherapy and/or Clinical Psychology or training towards the licensing examination in Psychotherapy.

Psychology: An international discipline

The internationally oriented curriculum of the Psychology major at Leuphana College is taught in English. Moreover, the study of English literature and the possibility to complete a semester and/or an internship abroad open up attractive opportunities to further develop your intercultural, linguistic, and social skills.

The current partner universities for stays abroad are Universidad de Málaga (Spain), Üsküdar University, and Altinbas University (Turkey), and Drury University (USA).

Social responsibility of psychology

Psychology is a versatile scientific discipline that is omnipresent in our everyday lives and significantly contributes to a better understanding and prediction of human perception, decision-making, and behaviour. Psychological research helps to describe, explain, and predict how people think, feel, and act in an ever more changing world with vast economic developments, societal transitions, and environmental threats.

Thus, psychology must start to broaden its perspective from a narrow focus on intraindividual processes (e.g., focus on mental disorders or emotional disturbances of the individual) to a more comprehensive focus, integrating interpersonal, intragroup, and intergroup processes – which shape the transition to economic, ecological, and societal prosperity.

Living up to this social responsibility is at the heart of psychological research and teaching at Leuphana University.

Psychology Bachelor perspectives

In the Psychology major, you acquire an in-depth knowledge of basic subjects in psychology, empirical and scientific methods and psychological diagnostics. 

Together with the Psychology & Society minor, the major allows you to develop important skills for positions in education, social work, consulting, or human resources. It also qualifies you for a broad range of Masters programmes in psychology (except clinical psychology).

The minor in Business Psychology qualifies you in particular for positions in human resources, professional development, advertising, marketing, and research and development in the field of psychological ergonomics. 

Leuphana Bachelor: Studying at College

Studying in the Bachelor’s programme at Leuphana College allows you to combine specialist knowledge with solution-oriented thinking and responsible action. The Leuphana Semester and Complementary Studies provide the framework for dealing with socially relevant topics outside your chosen major/minor combination. They are an integral part of the Leuphana Bachelor and give you the freedom to immerse yourself in different fields of knowledge and to develop viable solutions for the challenges of the future together with other college students.

Please find further information on the course content and structure for the Psychology major on the curriculum page.

Possible minor combinations

Business Psychology (GER)
Psychology and Society (ENG)

The Leuphana Bachelor enables the combination of different interests through major and minor. With the minor choice you can move within traditional disciplines or give your Bachelor an individual profile. You can also choose a minor that is not listed in the overview.

Language of instruction

ENG Eng­lish-lan­gua­ge sub­ject: no Ger­man re­qui­red
GER Ger­man-lan­gua­ge sub­ject: Ger­man re­qui­red
GER / ENG Ger­man-lan­gua­ge sub­ject can also be ta­ken in Eng­lish

Student Portraits

Charlotte talks about her experiences in the Pschology major and studying at Leuphana College.

“I am enthusiastic about Social Psychology: It’s about the individual in different group contexts. This is also relevant for society. I also find Sustainability Psychology stimulating. The Bachelor programme is about adopting an interdisciplinary approach, embracing diversity and thinking outside the box.“
Charlotte studies psychology and reports about her experiences at Leuphana College ©Charlotte Dierke

At a glance: BSc Psychology

  • Degree awarded: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
  • Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
  • Extent: 180 ECTS
  • Study places: 70
  • Language: English (no German required)
  • Fees: no tuition fees
  • Semester contribution: approx. EUR 318,15
  • Semester abroad: possible
  • Start date: October 1 (winter semester)
  • Application period: Mid May 15 July
  • Requirements: university entrance qualification and English skills
  • Restricted admission: yes
  • Admission: own procedere at Leuphana College

Download Flyer: BSc Psychology

Excellent psychology degree programme

Seal of Quality of the German Society for Psychology (DGPs) for Bachelor degree programmes ©Extern

The combination of the Psychology major and Psychology & Society minor has been certified with the Seal of Quality of the German Society for Psychology (DGPs) for Bachelor degree programmes.

Events for prospective students

College Open Day

The next Online Open Day at Leuphana College is 31 May 2024. Find out more

Information material

Learn more about the interdisciplinary college study model. Order information material

Student counselling service

Clarify your questions in a personal conversation during the Open Advisory Service. You can take advantage of digital counselling at short notice without registering. The College study advisors will be happy to help you:

  • Wednesdays from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. (in person on campus)
  • Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. (digitally via Zoom)

Find out more

Applications and admissions

Leuphana College accepts new students each winter term. If you wish to be considered for a Bachelor degree programme, your application must be received by 15 July.

For applicants from EU and EEA countries the University operates a special admissions procedure for the award of places. It considers not only applicants' grades, but also special skills, experience and non-academic achievements such as periods spent studying abroad, and volunteering work.

Online applications

Online applications are possible from mid-May. Find out more about the entry requirements and specific admissions process at Leuphana College. Find out more now

Counselling

Initial Information

Information Office (Infoportal)
Buil­ding 8, ground floor
Universitätsallee 1, 21335 Lüneburg
Phone +49.4131.677-2277
Fax +49.4131.677-1430
studierendenservice@leuphana.de
Opening hours
Term time & term break:
Mon - Thu 9 - 16 h
Fr 9 - 12 h

Arrange an appointment

College's Student Counselling Service
Buil­ding 8, ground floor
Uni­ver­sitätsal­lee 1, 21335 Lüne­burg
Open Con­sul­ta­ti­on Hours
Wed  11 – 13 h (on campus)
Thu 16 – 18 h (via Zoom)

Programme Director

  • Prof. Dr. Sebastian Wallot