Psychology

Degree: Master of Science in Psychology
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 1 year
Start date: September and February
Language of instruction: English
Specialisations:
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The Master’s Programme in Psychology focuses both on in-depth study of theory and on the acquisition of professional and research skills. The distinctive feature of the Leiden programme is that the teaching is not restricted to only the functioning of psychological processes; these processes are always connected to their behavioural consequences, with the aim of understanding self-regulation and behavioural control. In this way, students not only develop their knowledge of psychology as a science, but also learn to apply this knowledge in order to understand practical problems and to develop effective interventions for dealing with these problems.

The information about this programme is available in the following languages:

In line with the profile of Leiden University as a research-intensive institution, the teaching programme is based on state-of-the art scientific research and maintains a strong emphasis on the acquisition of academic and research skills. Completion of the MSc degree prepares students for subsequent academic degrees, including a PhD.

Objectives

The objective of the programme is to equip students with advanced training in research methods and professional skills that prepare them both for a career involving psychological research as well as for the application of scientific knowledge and methods in various professional settings. Training is provided in all relevant skills, including reviewing the relevant literature, applying theoretical knowledge to analyse practical problems, developing hypotheses and writing research proposals, designing and carrying out empirical studies, designing and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, conducting advanced statistical analyses, and presenting results and recommendations.

The programme offers eight specialisations:

  1. Child and Adolescent Psychology
  2. Clinical Neuropsychology
  3. Clinical Psychology
  4. Applied Cognitive Psychology
  5. Health Psychology
  6. Methodology and Statistics
  7. Occupational Health Psychology
  8. Social and Organisational Psychology

Pre-master Psychology

MSc in Psychology offers a pre-master’s programme (in Dutch).

Pre-master's programma

Merette Lansbergen, pre-master student

“The pre-master’s prepares you for one of the specialisations, after which you can carry on directly to your chosen programme. This way I could get my master’s in two years.”