University of Bergen

What you'll study

The PSY300 Master's programme combines advanced coursework, empirical methods training and a substantial independent research project. Core themes typically include advanced statistics and research design, cognitive and affective neuroscience, developmental and lifespan psychology, clinical and health psychology, social and organisational psychology, and psychometrics.

• Research methods and statistics: multivariate analysis, longitudinal methods, Bayesian and frequentist approaches, and experimental design.
• Neuroscience and cognitive psychology: topics such as perception, memory, emotion, and neuroimaging methods (EEG/MEG, fMRI), with hands-on laboratory experience where available.
• Clinical and health psychology: assessment, intervention research, psychopathology across the lifespan, and evidence-based treatments.
• Developmental psychology: developmental trajectories, attachment, and cognitive and social development from infancy to old age.
• Social and organisational psychology: group processes, decision making, workplace behaviour, and applied assessment techniques.
• Psychometrics and assessment: test construction, reliability and validity, and use of psychological measurements in research and practice.
• Master’s thesis: a substantial independent empirical thesis under supervision, which develops research questions, methods, analysis and reporting skills.

Students can typically tailor their programme through elective courses and by choosing a thesis topic that aligns with one of the department's research groups. Opportunities often exist for practical placements or collaborations with clinical and community partners, subject to programme rules and language requirements.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a relevant bachelor's degree in psychology with sufficient psychology credits and a good academic record. Specific course prerequisites commonly include basic statistics, research methods and core psychology subjects. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English.

Because some practicum components or clinical collaboration may involve Norwegian-language settings, applicants should check whether Norwegian proficiency is required for their intended pathway. Applicants from other education systems may need to document course content and credit equivalence; the faculty uses these to assess eligibility.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PSY300 Master's programme move into a range of careers. Typical paths include:

• Research positions in universities, research institutes and public-sector labs, often progressing to PhD studies.
• Clinical and health-service roles, noting that regulated clinical psychologist practice usually requires additional professional training or licensure according to national rules.
• Applied psychology roles in organisations, human resources, user-experience research, and consultancy.
• Roles in public administration, social services, education, and NGOs where psychological expertise informs policy, programme design and evaluation.
• Data analysis and behavioural science roles in industry and technology companies that value rigorous quantitative and experimental skills.

The programme’s strong methodological training and thesis experience make graduates competitive for both applied roles and further academic study.

Why study at University of Bergen

The Department of Psychology at the University of Bergen is known for combining strong basic research with applied and translational projects. The department hosts active research groups in cognitive neuroscience, developmental and health psychology, clinical psychology and social psychology. Students benefit from access to laboratory facilities and collaborative links with regional hospitals and research centres, which support empirical training and placements.

Studying in Bergen offers an interdisciplinary research environment and opportunities to work with supervisors involved in nationally and internationally funded projects. The department emphasises rigorous methodology, direct supervision on thesis work and pathways into research careers, clinical training programmes and applied positions across the public and private sectors.