Stockholm university

Psychology

Are you interested in other people? Do you wonder why we think, feel, and behave the way we do? Have you noticed how we are influenced by and adapt to different situations? Is it possible to measure people’s thoughts and, if so, how? If you find topics like these interesting then psychology is the right subject for you.

Psychology is the science of experiences and behaviors. Interest is focused on various aspects of human interaction with the outside world.

What is psychology about?

Tre personer utomhus på vintern Foto: Niklas Björling/Stockholms universitet

Subject description

Psychology is the science of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It describes various processes within as well as between individuals. Within psychology you will study human beings as both biological and social creatures.

In other words, we are all products of evolutionary forces, but we are also social and cultural beings who attempt to understand ourselves and others in searching for meaning and security. Thereby, psychology is an area of study that spans across several levels of analysis, from neurotransmittors in our brains to cultural aspects that affect our behaviors.

Career opportunities

There is a steady demand for psychological knowledge and competence on the job market. The knowledge gained from research in psychology may be applied in many areas of society, for instance, within healthcare, education, correctional treatment, occupational life and organizations, as well as sports.

Psychology is an important knowledge base even within many other sectors. After receiving your degree at the Master’s level, you may also apply to the Doctoral Programme in Psychology. After finishing the Psychology Programme you may apply to the Psychotherapy Programme and specialize in psychotherapy for psychologists.

Courses and programmes

Psychological knowledge is valuable both in working life and in private life. You can study the subject as a coherent vocational education (in Swedish only), as general subject studies or as part of a degree with another main subject.

  • PhD studies

    After receiving your degree at the Master’s level, you may also apply to the Doctoral Program in Psychology. The program normally consists of four years of fulltime studies which results in a Doctoral degree in Psychology.

    Read more about PhD studies in psychology

Degree

In order to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology you may either take individual courses or follow the programme below:

  • Bachelor of Science programme in Personnel, Work, and Organization (PAO)

In order to receive a Master of Science Degree you may follow either of the programmes below:

  • International two-year master’s program in psychology (New 2020)
  • General Master of Science programme in Psychology (No more admissions)
  • Master of Science programme in Personnel, Work, and Organization (PAO)

In order to receive a Psychologist Degree, an advanced level vocational degree, you may follow the programme below:

  • Psychology Programme (300 hp)

Research

Research in psychology is mainly conducted at the Department of Psychology within the following six areas:

  • Biological psychology
  • Clinical psychology
  • Cognitive psychology
  • Perception and psychophysics
  • Personality, social and developmental psychology
  • Work and organizational psychology

Since 2020 The Stress Research Institute is also a major part of the department.

Read more about research in psychology