Main programme

The study program consists of a 90 ECTS advanced study programme in Psychology and a 30 ECTS specialisation programme in Psychology (set out in specific study plans). The postgraduate programme consists of a module on psychological methods, a module on various general themes and advanced studies in psychology, a module focusing on psychopathology and clinical psychology, a master's examination and practical experience (see module descriptions below).

Modules description

Methods in Psychology

The module covers the different types of research methods in psychology and their use. It consists of a research colloquium linked to the master's thesis (3 ECTS), a teaching unit in statistics (3 ECTS), a teaching unit in methods (3 ECTS) and a teaching unit in psychotherapy research (3 ECTS). The assessment methods are announced in the description of the teaching unit and are specified until the end of the registration period for the said teaching unit. Teaching units are offered in English. It is strongly recommended that these teaching units be taken at the beginning of the programme, as 6 ECTS must be completed in this module before the master's thesis can be started (see module ‘master exam’ below).

Advanced studies in Psychology

The aim of the module is to provide students with fundamental and up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the main areas of psychology and the central themes of the department's research teams. This module is made up of 3 ECTS elective units covering the most recent advances in the fundamental areas of psychological science. To validate this module, students must validate teaching units for a minimum of 18 ECTS. Teaching includes topics ranging from basic psychological processes or functions to the major areas of applied psychology and related fields. All teaching units are offered in English.

This module also includes the optional ‘Mentoring’ teaching unit (3 ECTS). Under supervision, this involves acquiring various experiences in the field of reinforcing and passing on knowledge in a university context. Specific offers for this teaching unit (including language) are published before the start of the semester on the Department's website (cf. Teaching FR / DE). As the number of places is limited, each offer involves an application and selection process.

Psychopathology and clinical psychology

This module comprises teaching units providing basic knowledge of the phenomenology, aetiology and treatment of the most important mental disorders, or of various aspects of psychological or somatic health at different stages of life. This module also covers various psychological interventions aimed at preventing mental problems and disorders, and at modifying, maintaining or promoting mental health.

The module is made up of 3 ECTS elective teaching units. To validate this module, students must validate teaching units for a minimum of 15 ECTS. Teaching units are offered in French, German or English. Students wishing to enrol in postgraduate courses leading to a federal qualification in psychotherapy, clinical psychology and health psychology must complete a certain number of ECTS in psychopathology (depending on the course). The teaching units in psychopathology are labelled ‘PP’ in their title. The website of the Swiss Federation of Psychologists (FSP;  https://www.psychologie.ch/en) provides links to the admission requirements for these programmes, which indicate the exact number of ECTS required in psychopathology.

Practical experience

The aim of the practical experience is to mobilise students' basic skills, deepen their knowledge and, more broadly, build their professional network. Practical experience may take place in a clinical, industrial or research environment related to psychology. It may also be carried out on a part-time basis and/or split between several institutions and also between several research laboratories (known as ‘Lab rotations’). All information and procedures relating to practical experience are available on the Department's website.

Conditions for validating the module

• The practical experience must be equivalent to eight weeks' work at 100%, i.e. 320 hours.
• It must be carried out under the supervision of a qualified psychologist.
• The activities carried out by the students and the knowledge and skills developed during each practical experience or ‘Lab rotation’ are described and assessed in a written report. This report is assessed (without marks) by the person responsible for the department's work placements. If the written report is judged to be inadequate, it is returned to the student concerned for correction and resubmission for assessment. A second unsatisfactory assessment of the placement report will result in permanent failure.
• Students who have completed or carried out a large part of their work placement must take part in a two-hour meeting to share their experiences.

Master exam

The master’s exam consists of

1. a written project and
2. a defence.

The research project is designed and carried out independently by the students. Although guided by expert supervision throughout the process, students are responsible for preparing the project, recruiting participants, carrying out the study and preparing and analysing the statistical data. Students then write a dissertation, usually in the form of a long research article. This paper may be written in English, German or French (in agreement with the supervisor).

Topic of the master’s thesis

Students select several topics from the range currently offered by the department. The allocation process takes preferential choices into account but does not guarantee that every student will be allocated one of their preferred topics. Students who have fulfilled the conditions for starting the master's thesis (see below) begin the research colloquium at the earliest in the following spring semester. In principle, the research colloquium lasts two semesters.

It is possible to change the subject of the master’s thesis once by submitting a formal request to the Department Chair. This request may be refused. A change of subject generally involves an extension of the studies and potentially a change of research colloquium.

Conditions for validating the module

• Acceptance of the written master's thesis
• Successful defence of the master's thesis

Conditions for starting the master’s thesis

• Apart from the research colloquium, students must have completed the ‘Statistical Methods for Master Studies’ teaching unit and one other teaching unit in the Methods in Psychology module.
• Students who have been admitted to the master’s programme with additional studies must have fully completed their additional studies programme. In exceptional cases, a waiver may be requested in writing from the head of the study programme.