Psychology (MSc)

Pre-master’s programme

Are you planning to take a master’s degree programme in Psychology? And have you completed a Dutch HBO (University of Applied Sciences) or WO (academic) bachelor’s degree in a related field? Then the one-year pre-master’s programme in Psychology could be the right option for you.

This pre-master’s programme will prepare you for admission to one of the five following specialisations within the master’s degree programme in Psychology (MSc):

Applied Cognitive Psychology
Economic and Consumer Psychology
Methodology and Statistics in Psychology
Occupational Health Psychology
Social and Organisational Psychology

Please note! The premaster programme does not grant admission to the clinical specialisations of the master’s programme in Psychology.

Admission

The Psychology Board of Admissions determines whether the gap between a candidate’s previous education and the master’s degree specialisation can be bridged by a programme worth a maximum of 60 EC (‘one 'EC or 'European Credit' represents a study load of 28 hours). In making this determination, the Board upholds the agreements made between all the universities in the Netherlands regarding the knowledge and skills expected of someone who graduates as a psychologist (MSc in Psychology). The Board of Admissions then determines the content and scope of the pre-master’s programme the candidate must complete.

Full-time course

The pre-master’s programme begins in September, and students are expected to complete all required modules within a single academic year. The programme is not available on a part-time basis, and there is no February intake. The pre-master’s programme requires a substantial commitment. It consists of a combination of 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-year modules from the bachelor’s degree programme in Psychology and includes a significant number of modules on methodology and techniques/statistics. For a 60 EC programme, this amounts to a full-time study. Full-time study means that a student will devote 40 hours a week to the course. Students should consider carefully beforehand whether they can set aside enough time for the pre-master’s programme. Teaching takes place during the day, and sometimes also in the evening. Attendance at workgroups and practicals is mandatory.

Certificate

Upon completion of the pre-master’s programme, students receive a certificate giving an overview of the modules taken and the grades achieved. However, this certificate is not the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and students may not use the title ‘BSc in Psychology’.