Psychology

What happens when humans interact? How do personalities differ from one another? And what actually constitutes a mental disorder? If you are interested in these questions, this is the programme for you!

MRI scan

Image: Daniel Hofmann

Key facts

Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Supplement to degree: minor in a multi-subject bachelor’s programme
Admission restriction: without admission restriction (without NC)
Duration: 6 Semesters
Credits/ECTS: 60
Teaching language: German
Tuition fee: None
Semester contribution: € 272,65
Start of studies: Winter semester
Part-time possible: Yes
Institutions: Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences; Institute of Psychology

Application & Deadlines

Programme content

How do we feel, think, dream and learn? What theories and models help to explain psychological phenomena? What shapes our personality? All these questions are explored by the science of human experience and behaviour. Our everyday lives are full of psychological structures. Some we experience consciously, while others gradually become embedded in our mind. Have you ever grabbed the branded yoghurt from the supermarket refrigerator without even thinking? Have you ever bought something you didn’t need after seeing an advert on social media? Yes? Don’t worry! That happens to a lot of people – the advertising industry has a whole host of psychological tricks up its sleeve. By the way, the study of unconscious processes is only a small branch of psychology. This science is as diverse as people themselves!

If you take ‘Psychology’ as your minor subject, you will add a psychological dimension to the knowledge acquired in your major subject. You will focus on essential schools of thought and the body of knowledge amassed in our field. In the first semesters, you will also get an overview of different research methods and general psychology before learning more about selected sub-areas of psychology.

Structure

Multi-subject bachelor’s programme

Picture: Sophie Bartholome

A bachelor’s degree is the first professional qualification that can be obtained at a university. The standard length of the programme is six semesters, and different types of courses are offered for each module (e.g. seminars, lectures or practical classes).

A multi-subject bachelor’s programme consists of a major subject worth 120 ECTS credits (1 ECTS credit = 30 hours for attendance, preparation and follow-up work, private study, assessed coursework and examinations) and a minor subject worth 60 ECTS credits. As a minor subject, ‘Psychology’ can be combined with all major subjects offered at the University of Jena.

From the third semester onwards, you will choose basic subjects tailored to your major subject. From the fifth semester onwards, you will choose an applied subject and learn to transfer your basic knowledge to contexts relevant to the professional world. The minor subject consists of nine modules and includes five compulsory modules and four required elective modules, one of which has to be chosen.

How might your degree programme shape up?

The following table shows the possible structure of your degree programme with ‘Psychology’ as your minor subject:

Semester	Modules
1	Introduction to Psychology and its Methods (10 ECTS)
2	General Psychology (10 ECTS)
3	Three of the following courses have to be taken in the Basics of Psychology I module (10 ECTS): Developmental Psychology I Differential Psychology and Personality Psychology I Social Psychology I General Psychology – Memory, Thought and Language General Psychology – Learning and Behaviour
4	Three of the following courses have to be taken in the Basics of Psychology II module (10 ECTS): Developmental Psychology II Differential Psychology and Personality Psychology II Social Psychology II General Psychology – Perception, Awareness and Consciousness General Psychology – Motivation, Volition and Emotion
5	Two of the following courses have to be taken in the Basics of Psychology III: Subject-Specific Study Methods module (10 ECTS): Developmental Psychology III Differential Psychology and Personality Psychology III Social Psychology III General Psychology III Required elective module^* (10 ECTS)
6

Abbreviations: ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (credit points)

* The following elective modules are offered: Industrial, Work and Organizational Psychology; Biological and Clinical Psychology; Intervention and Evaluation; and Educational Psychology.

You can find more detailed information in the module catalogue for the degree programmeExternal link.

Why study in Jena?

Excellent research: The Institute of Psychology is very strong in researchExternal link. Our activities can be divided into two main areas: perception and interaction and development and health.
Excellent teaching: In addition to the methodological focus of our degree programme, we are defined by our modern teaching methods that draw on international influences and are further supported by a number of cooperative and evaluative projects on a national and international level.
A world of possibilities: Experience our international flair! Our University appeals to students and researchers from all over the world and helps to shape Jena’s character as a cosmopolitan city that is fit for the future – it’s the perfect place for international studentsmp4, 57 mb · de.
Adventures abroad: You can easily realize your dream of spending a semester abroad during your studies. We have a global network of partner universities.

A look behind the scenes

Image: Daniel Hofmann

Great variety

The methods of empirical social science are also included in the syllabus. You will learn how psychological experiments are conducted, as well as how data is collected.

What can you do after your studies?

Career opportunities:

People having a discussion

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Healthcare and social services
Education sector
Business and administration
Academia

Downloads and links for the degree programme

What are we looking for in prospective students?

An interest in topics related to behavioural and social science
Sociability
Social intelligence
Language skills
An interest in interdisciplinary work
Good observation skills and judgement
Methodical thinking skills
Good knowledge of mathematics, biology, German and English

Admission requirements

University entrance qualification

A university entrance qualification, such as a general secondary school leaving certificate, is required for admission onto the study programme.

More information on university entrance qualifications can be found here.
Language requirements

Admission and language requirements for applicants of foreign nationality and without German Abitur: www.uni-jena.de/en/study-orientation-international

Contacts

Clemens Schmalzried (Academic Advisor)

Room Haus 1, E016
Am Steiger 3
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations (ASPA)

Carl-Zeiß-Platz 1
07743 Jena

Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 – 11:00)
Wednesdays (13:00 – 15:00)

The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.

Student Council for Psychology

Central Student Advisory Service

University Main Building / SSZ
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Office hours:
We offer consultations in person, by telephone, and via Zoom. You can make an appointment by calling us on +49 3641 9-411111 (Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00) or outside these office hours on +49 3641 9-411200. You can also use our remote help desk.

Consultation hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (9:00 to 12:20), Tuesdays (14:00 to 18:00), and Wednesdays and Thursdays (14:00 to 16:00).

Video chat: Zoom – Video chat Videochat ZeitenMondays to Fridays (12:30 to 13:00) Password ZSB2020 Data protection informationpdf, 101 kb

Student Service Centre

University Main Building, Room E065
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

Opening hours:
Mondays (10:00 – 12:00)
Tuesdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Wednesdays (10:00 – 12:00)
Thursdays (13:00 – 15:00)
Fridays (10:00 – 12:00)

You can also use our remote help desk at
www.uni-jena.de/service-ssz
or send us your enquiries by post.

Telephone hours:
Mondays to Fridays
(9:00 – 11:00)

Postal address:
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Studierenden-Service-Zentrum
07737 Jena

International Office - International students

University Main Building
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

incoming@uni-jena.de