FAQ for MA Studies

General informations

Admission

• What are the admission criteria?

  You can find them on that page:
  https://www.unifr.ch/psycho/en/studies/master/admission-requirements.html.

• I have / will have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fribourg

  You have to “apply” for a change of study course on MyUnifr as soon as all 180 ECTS are validated (see Point 3 of “MyUnifr” guide FR – DE). You can find the deadlines for this change on this page (FR – DE) under “Master consécutif” / “Konsekutiver Master”.

• I have a bachelor’s degree but not from Fribourg

  You can find the admission procedure to the University of Fribourg on the following page:
  https://www.unifr.ch/studies/en/admission/admission-master/.

• I want to study “clinical and health Psychology”, but I cannot find this master on INSCRUNI

  This is perfectly normal. The Department of Psychology offers one Master program in Psychology (120 ECTS), which is administratively divided in a main program (the option with 90 ECTS) and a specialisation program (30 ECTS). When registering on INSCRUNI, you have to select “Psychology [MA] – 90 ECTS” under Point 3 “Planned studies” and to choose a language. The specialisation programme being automatically selected, you have to choose a language. The classes you registered in for the first time will set your option (and specialisation). See the section “Classes” of the FAQ to learn how to register for classes.

• I failed another master program in Psychology, can I be admitted?

  You can be admitted 5 years after the failure of the previous program (see art. 8 of Regulations concerning the admission and registration of students and auditors at the University of Fribourg):
  https://webapps.unifr.ch/legal/fr/document/1427544

• How much are the semester fees?

  You can find this information on that page:
  https://www.unifr.ch/studies/en/organisation/administrative-services-unifr-students/university-fees/

• Do I need a proof of language proficiency to be admitted?

  No, but you should have at least a B2 level for the language in which the teaching units are given (see this page).

Options

• How do I select my option?

  The classes you registered in for the first time will set your option (and your specialisation). See the FAQ section “Classes” to know how to register for classes.

• When can I apply for an option on application?

  You can apply whenever you want but there is only one deadline for each academical year, namely Friday of the first week of the fall semester. It is not possible to start an option on application in the spring semester.

• How do I apply for an option on application?

  You have to complete the online form and provide the required documents until Friday of the first week of each fall semester. You have to be first admitted to the University of Fribourg (see the FAQ section “Admission”) to apply to such an option. You will receive an answer regarding your admission during the second week of the fall semester.

• What happened if I am not selected for an option on application?

  You can choose an option without application procedure (i.e., clinical and health psychology, cognitive neuroscience or work and organisational psychology). The classes you registered for will be transferred to the new option as far as possible. You can apply to one of options on application the next academical year.

• Can I apply for more than one option on application?

  No, you cannot. If you do, only the first application will be considered.

• Can I change the option?

  You can change the option only once. You have to make an official request to the head of the department explaining the reasons for which you wish to change the option. This request may be refused.

  NB: If you already started an option without application and you are admitted to an option on application, it does not count as a change of option.

Classes

• Are there classes to attend during a particular semester?

  No, you are responsible to pick up the classes you want to attend during a particular semester. There are however some mandatory classes that should be attended.

• How many classes should I take per semester?

  It depends on you, but it is generally recommended to take about 30 ECTS per semester.

• Can I work part-time?

  Yes, since you choose which classes you want to attend each semester (except for the research colloquium). That provides you flexibility to combine your studies with a part-time job. Furthermore, you have up to 12 semesters to obtain your master's degree.

• How do I register for classes?

  You can register for classes each semester via MyUnifr.ch. The procedure is described under Point 4 of the MyUnifr-guide (FR / DE). You should use the field “Structure des études” / “Studienstruktur” to filter the classes corresponding only to your option (90-ECTS-program). This filter also allows you to select classes by module (see Figure 1 below).

  

  You should also use this filter when registering for classes of your specialisation program (30 ECTS-program) (see Figure 2 below).

  

• When do I register for classes?

  You can find the registration period by semester on the following pages:

  FR: https://www.unifr.ch/lettres/fr/etudes/cours-et-examens/inscription-aux-cours-et-examens/

  DE: https://www.unifr.ch/lettres/de/studium/kurse-und-examen/kurs-und-examenseinschreibung/

• Teaching units with a limited number of seats

  The “first come, first served” rule is applied. Be ready before midnight to register right after midnight. The seats are taken within the 5-10 first minutes after the opening of the registration period (see links below). If you did not obtain a seat, you will be on the waiting list. If someone cancelled his/her registration, this seat will be offered to people according to their position on the waiting list.

  FR: https://www.unifr.ch/lettres/fr/etudes/cours-et-examens/inscription-aux-cours-et-examens/

  DE: https://www.unifr.ch/lettres/de/studium/kurse-und-examen/kurs-und-examenseinschreibung/

• I do not want to attend a class anymore. What should I do?

  You have to unregister for this class during the cancellation period (see links below). If you forgot to unregister for a class on time, you have to validate it.

  FR: https://www.unifr.ch/lettres/fr/etudes/cours-et-examens/inscription-aux-cours-et-examens/

  DE: https://www.unifr.ch/lettres/de/studium/kurse-und-examen/kurs-und-examenseinschreibung/

• Can I miss sessions of the block course?

  You are allowed to miss a maximum of 20% of a block course.

• I cannot register for any classes. What can I do?

  Please check whether you paid your semester fees. You can find invoices and reminders at your unifr email address and on MyUnifr (see this page). Please expect some delay (i.e., some days) between the day of the payment and the access to class registration.

   

• I am finishing my bachelor studies at UNIFR. Can I already attend some master’s classes? (anticipated master)

  You need to have validated at least 150 ECTS from you bachelor’s program to make a request for an anticipated master. This can be achieved by clicking on a specific button (“Anticiper un Master” / “Vorgezogenes Masterstudium”) in MyUnifr under “Cursus” / “Studien” (see p.3 of the guide MyUnifr FR / DE). You can find the deadlines for this procedure on this page (FR – DE) under “Master consécutif” / “Konsekutiver Master”.

• I am from another Swiss University, and I wish to attend some classes in Fribourg. What to do?
  1. Check whether the classes are open to mobility students. You can find the classes for the next semester on that page. You may have to wait until May to know the classes of the fall semester.
  2. Register as a guest student.
  3. When registered, write an email to the secretary for the master studies indicating the classes you wish to attend during the period for classes registration [FR / DE]. Guest students cannot register to classes.
  4. Do not forget to register to the exam session during the dedicated period [FR / DE] to validate the classes.
  5. Ask the dean office [FR2 / DE2] for a transcript of records once the classes are validated.

Exams

• How does it work?

  You have two attempts to validate a class. The class has to be validated within four exam sessions after the end of the class, see table below for an example. That means that you have to register for the exam on MyUnifr.ch in the exam session(s) you wish to validate a class. The procedure is described under Point 5 of “MyUnifr” guide (FR / DE). You find the exam registration period on that page (FR / DE).

  End of the class	Exam session 1	Exam session 2	Exam session 3	Exam session 4
  Fall semester 2021	Winter 2022	Summer 2022	Fall 2022	Winter 2023
  Spring semester 2022	Summer 2022	Fall 2022	Winter 2023	Summer 2023

• I cannot participate to (an) exam(s). What should I do?

  You can unregister for exams during the cancellation period (see links below). If you cannot participate to the exam(s) for medical reasons, you have to provide a medical certificate to the department up to 7 days after the date of the exam(s), see art. 19 of the rules for obtaining a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the Faculty of Humanities. If your request is accepted, it will be counted as a “justified absence”. The attempt will not be counted, and you will have an additional exam session to register for.

  FR: https://www.unifr.ch/lettres/fr/etudes/cours-et-examens/inscription-aux-cours-et-examens/

  DE: https://www.unifr.ch/lettres/de/studium/kurse-und-examen/kurs-und-examenseinschreibung/

  Faculty rules: https://webapps.unifr.ch/legal/fr/document/2454944

• I have special needs. Can I benefit from some adjustments?

  This is a university-level decision. You have to make a formal request by following the instructions described on this page:

  https://www.unifr.ch/campus/en/support/learning-and-success/studies-and-disability.html

• Is there any grade compensation possible?

  No, you have to pass each class you are registered for.

• Can I fail the master program?

  Yes, you can for any of the following reasons:

  • A mandatory class is not validated (including the classes from any compensation program)
  • Two non-mandatory classes are not validated
  • You did not obtain your diploma within 12 semesters
• How can I obtain a transcript of records?

  You have to contact the faculty:

  FR: https://www.unifr.ch/lettres/fr/faculte/contact.html

  DE: https://www.unifr.ch/lettres/de/fakultaet/kontakt.html

Practical experience

• What is expected from me?
  • Duration: min. 320 hours
  • Possibility to split (for example 4 months at 50%)
  • Supervised by academically trained psychologists
  • Completed in the field of the master program
• What do I have to do for this module?

  You can find all information regarding the practical experience on this page (see links below). For questions on this topic, please contact the coordinator of practical experiences.

  FR: https://www.unifr.ch/psycho/fr/etudes/stages/

  DE: https://www.unifr.ch/psycho/de/studium/praktika/

ECTS outside Fribourg

• I validated some ECTS at a master level before starting in Fribourg. Can they be recognised?

  You can submit a written request (letter) for credit recognition to the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Humanities (see point 2 in links below). If it is accepted, the department will contact you regarding the further procedure.

  FR: https://www.unifr.ch/lettres/fr/etudes/cours-et-examens/faq.html

  DE: https://www.unifr.ch/lettres/de/studium/kurse-und-examen/faq.html

• Can I validate classes from another Swiss university?

  You can validate up to 12 ECTS from other Swiss universities (max 6 ECTS per module). To ensure the recognition of these classes before attending them, please send the filled recognition form to the master study advisor as soon as possible.

• I wish to study one semester abroad. What should I do?

  Please check the section “Outgoing” of the mobility page for more information. The procedure needs time, please start it as soon as possible.

Validate ECTS in Fribourg for external students

• I wish to study a semester in Fribourg. What should I do?

  Please check the section “Incoming” of the mobility page for more information:

  https://www.unifr.ch/psycho/en/studies/mobility/

• I wish to validate some ECTS in Fribourg. What do I have to do?

  If you are studying in another Swiss University, you can validate classes open to mobility (see this page) without paying additional fees. Please follow these instructions:

  • Register as a host student.
  • Since you cannot register yourself for classes, please send your list of classes during the registration period (FR / DE) to psy-master-counseling@unifr.ch.
  • Check the FAQ sections “Classes” and “Exams” for additional information.

  Mobility classes: https://www.unifr.ch/psycho/en/studies/mobility/mobility-courses.html

  However, if you are studying at a non-Swiss University or registered as a free listener, you cannot validate psychology classes at master’s level.

Prolonged absence

• I cannot be there during one semester. What should I do?

  You can request a sabbatical semester by following the instructions on this page (see links below). If your request is accepted, you will be “out” for a semester. It means:

  • This semester and its exam session(s) will not be counted (fall semester: winter exam session; spring semester: summer and fall exam sessions). You will not “lose” a semester nor exam session(s).
  • You cannot register, nor validate classes, nor defend works during this semester
  • You will still be student since you will pay the ground fees (no “hole” in the résumé)
  • You do not have to inform the teaching staff about your absence. To facilitate the validation of the master colloquium, it would be greatly appreciated if you inform your thesis supervisor about your absence.

  FR: https://www.unifr.ch/studies/fr/organisation/prestations-admin-etudiants/demande-de-conge.html

  DE: https://www.unifr.ch/studies/de/studienorganisation/admin-dienstleistung-unifr-studierende/urlaubsgesuch.html

Complementary or prerequisite programme

• What is a complementary programme?

  You have to validate some classes at the bachelor's level. You can validate them at the same time as classes at the master’s level. The validation of this programme is mandatory to complete the master’s programme and to start the master’s thesis.

• What is a prerequisite programme?

  You have to validate some classes at the bachelor's level (up to 60 ECTS), usually over an academical year. You have to complete it before starting the master’s programme.

• What have I to do?

  Around the start of your first semester, you will receive the list of classes you have to validate to complete your complementary programme. On MyUnifr, you will find a third programme with some classes you can take. You have to validate only the list you received. Check the section “Classes” of the FAQ to learn more about the class registration.

• What happens if I fail this programme?

  A failure to this programme implies the exclusion from the master’s programme.

• When should I validate my complementary programme?

  You should validate it as soon as possible for two reasons. First, you must have validated it before starting your master’s thesis. Second, a failure to this programme implies a failure to the master’s programme.