Master of Science (MSc) in Psychology

Organiser
Faculty of Social and Political Sciences

Degree awarded
Master of Science (MSc) in Psychology

ECTS credits
120

Duration
4 semesters

Teaching language
French. Recommended level : C1.

Admission requirements
Candidates must hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree awarded by a Swiss university.
The holders of Bachelor of Science in Psychology degrees awarded by other universities may be admitted on the basis of their personal case file, subject to the candidate’s formal admissibility to the master’s degree course.

Admission to the programmes involving consultation
The number of places available in the two programmes involving consultation (i.e., the orientations «Child and Adolescent Psychology (with consultation)» and «Counselling and Vocational Psychology») is limited. For admission to these programmes it is therefore necessary to submit an application to the ad hoc committees at the Institute of Psychology, in addition to the usual application for admission to the Master’s degree course (which must be sent instead to the Admissions Service).
More information on deadlines for sending the application, its contents or the selection criteria

Holders of a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree awarded abroad may be admitted on the basis of their personal case file and must submit a statement confirming that they have been offered a place to study for a Master’s in psychology at a university in the country that awarded the Bachelor’s degree. For more information, see: www.unil.ch/immat.

Enrolment and final dates
It is possible to start the programme of the Master of Science in Psychology degree in the autumn semester only.
Applications to be submitted before 30 April to the Admissions Office: www.unil.ch/immat
Candidates needing a visa to study in Switzerland must apply for enrolment before 28 February.

More information
Timetables and course descriptions

On completion of the Master’s degree students will be able to:

• explain, evaluate, compare and discuss specific aspects of knowledge in psychology, in the orientation chosen for the Master’s degree, and put them into perspective in relation to their epistemological status;
• implement, acting independently, a scientific research process;
• master the use of intervention tools related to the application scope of the chosen orientation in psychology;
• present, in a structured and reasoned manner, an in-depth reflection, in both written and oral form;
• use the relevant knowledge, analytic skills and intervention tools in different contexts, showing respect and consideration for diversity;
• develop ethical and socially responsible positions in the practice of psychology.

This range of skills prepares students for professional posts in a wide variety of sectors:

• Medico-psychological consultation services
• Psychogeriatrics and geriatrics
• Counselling and vocational psychology
• Psychology, psychomotor therapy and speech therapy in the educational field
• Parapublic institutions (e.g. care homes for the elderly, adolescent homes)
• Prevention and public health (e.g. industrial health and safety)
• Research and teaching (e.g. UNIL, CHUV – Psychiatry)
• Private Practice (Consultation)
• Other : associative structures, intervention services (e.g. police), private service companies or consultancies in the organisation of firms, public administration, etc.
• Private practice (consultation, check-up, psychological evaluation, etc.)

In several fields, particularly those where a federal specialisation degree exists (e.g. psychotherapy), postgraduate training is necessary after completing the Master’s degree.