International two-year master’s program in psychology
Psychology was the obvious choice for Hanna. Photo: Private
The program’s overall objective is to provide a broad and in-depth knowledge base within the field of psychology. Courses are offered, for example, in social psychology, evolutionary psychology, cognition, biological psychology, stress and sleep, developmental psychology and work and organizational psychology.
You can study all the courses at the Department of Psychology, but you can also take some courses at other departments at Stockholm University, or even at other universities – in Sweden or abroad, as part of an exchange program.
The program is primarily interactive, where you as a student are expected to participate both orally and in writing.
The program includes research methodology, which may be of use in the labour market in general, but also as a preparation for further studies at the doctoral level in psychology.
The program leads to a Master of Science (120 ECTS credits) in the main field of study of psychology.
Not a practical program
Please note that this is an entirely theoretical and research-oriented program, and not a practical psychologist program. We offer no masters in clinical psychology or any alternative routes to this. The only way to study to become a licensed clinical psychologist in Sweden is through the full Psychologists program (300 credits, equivalent to 5 years of study).
The program is a coherent degree program that comprises 120 ECTS credits, meaning four semesters of full-time studies. The program consists of four main blocks:
Block A: 30 credits of compulsory courses
Block B: 30 credits of elective courses in psychology (on advanced level at the Department of psychology)
Block C: 30 credits of entirely elective courses (at least 15 ECTS needs to be on advanced level)
Block D: Master’s thesis (30 credits)
Year 1
As a registered student on these courses you will find detailed course information and communication within our learning platform called Athena. Please log in with your University account.
The elective courses given by the Department of psychology may vary from year to year.
First semester
Psychology: History and theory of science, 7,5 credits (code PSMT50, compulsory)
Applied social psychology, 7,5 credits (PSMT57, elective)
Research methods 1, 7,5 credits (PSMT58, compulsory)
Statistics 1, 7,5 credits (PSMT59, compulsory)
Second semester
Trends in cognition, 7,5 credits (PSMT61, elective)
Human development – Positive psychological functioning and adaptation in youth, 7,5 credits (PSMT60, elective)
Psychological Aspects on Employee Selection and Recruitment (PSMTA1, elective but only available to a limited number of students)
Qualitative interviewing – Data collection and analysis, 7,5 credits (PSMT62, compulsory*)
Human development – Attachment and relational contexts of lifespan development, 7,5 credits (PSMT63, on hold spring 2025)
The psychology of leadership, 7,5 credits (PSMT46, elective but only available to a limited number of students)
* You can choose to study Qualitative interviewing, 7,5 credits, OR Applied questionnaire methods, 7,5 credits, see third semester.
Year 2
As a registered student on these courses you will find detailed course information and communication within our learning platform called Athena. Please log in with your University account.
Third semester
Applied questionnaire methods, 7,5 credits (PSMT49, compulsory*)
Psychophysiology: Relationships between psychological and physiological processes, 7,5 credits (PSMT54, on hold autumn 2025, offered spring 2026 next time)
Psychological and organizational perspectives on work, stress and health, 7,5 credits (PSMA52, elective but only available to a limited number of students)
Higher cognitive functions, 7,5 credits (PSMT55, elective)
Stress and sleep: from bench to bedside, 7,5 credits (PSMTA2, on hold autumn 2025)
Emotion psychology and affective neuroscience, 7,5 credits (PSMT56, elective)
Social behavior: Insights from evolutionary psychology, 7,5 credits (PSMT53, on hold autumn 2025)
* You can choose to study Applied Questionnaire Methods, 7,5 credits, OR Qualitative interviewing, 7,5 credits, see second semester.
Fourth semester
Degree project in psychology for Master's Degree, 30 credits (PSMT42, compulsory)
The program starts every autumn semester.
The 2025 application period is only open during the international admissions round. The admissions round is open from 15 October 2024 to 15 January 2025 at www.universityadmissions.se.
Degree requirements
Bachelor's degree of at least 180 ECTS credits with at least 90 ECTS credits in psychology, or an equivalent foreign degree.
Language requirements
In addition to a relevant degree, applicants need to fulfil the requirements for English B/6. Please visit Universityadmissions for details on how to fulfil the English language requirements.
We give no notices or assessments on eligibility in advance
All applicants must go through the accurate application process on Universityadmissions. Please note the entry requirements and selection criteria so that you can send the appropriate documents to support your application. For the selection, there are no specific documents such as CVs or letters of motivation that need to be attached.
After the application period has ended, we evaluate the merits of the eligible applicants. In particular, we look at grades and completed courses in methods and statistics and whether the applicant has written an essay/thesis of at least 7.5 ECTS. Based on this merit assessment, we admit students to the program.
Stockholm University arranges online meetings, webinars, for prospective as well as admitted students.
Webinar PowerPoint
In the following PowerPoint you will find answers to many of your questions about the program. It is from a webinar held 2024-11-25.
Broschure
Please download our updated broschure!
International Two-year Master's Program in Psychology Pdf, 958 kB.
Don't miss to read about two of our alumni from this program here below.
Meet our alumni
Jón Ingi, now a PhD student at the Department of Psychology
Jón Ingi, from Iceland, graduated in 2023 from the International two-year master’s program in psychology. Read more about his experiences in this interview.
Meet Jón Ingi – alumnus from our International two-year master’s program in psychology
Psychology was the obvious choice for Hanna
Hanna has studied for both a bachelor's and a master's degree in psychology at Stockholm University. She now works as a copywriter and content strategist at a digital marketing agency where she benefits greatly from her education in psychology.
Find the names of the course leaders/examiners on the coursepages.
Registered students should primarily use Athena for teacher communication.
