The study program is based on a bachelor's degree in psychology and gives you expert knowledge and relevant skills in the field of psychology, and a chosen specialization in «social and cognitive psychology» or «behavioral science and neuroscience». As a candidate on the program, you will familiarize yourself with current academic perspectives and challenges in psychological research, carry out an in-depth study of scientific theory and research method, and have an in-depth study course on modern research that is relevant for the two fields of study. In the last year of the programme, your write a master's thesis within your specialisation that makes an independent contribution to the research literature.
Specialization in social and cognitive psychology:
This specialization provides you with in-depth competence in processes and mechanisms that form the behaviour of individuals and in groups. You will gain expert knowledge of human experience and thought processes, cooperation and interaction, influence from groups and culture. You gain an insight into how such knowledge can be used to deal with key challenges in today's society. Many of the topics covered are lack of diversity in society and working life, integration and conflict, safety, risk assessments, HSE and emergency preparedness in work and leisure, mistakes and reliability, tourism experiences, climate and sustainability, conscious and subconscious processes, and how language and culture affect cognition. You will take an active part in one or more research environments throughout the programme, and a master's thesis will be planned using your own data collection. It is possible to arrange a student exchange in the third semester. The programme enables you to understand social and cognitive phenomena, mechanisms and processes to critically assess and contribute to research, and to apply knowledge from research in different areas of society.
Specialization in behavior science and neuroscience
This specialization is about the relationship between brain, behaviour and cognition. The specialisation provides an insight into the theory basis for basic research on the human brain, in addition to research related to psychiatric, neurological and other clinical conditions. Laboratory exercises and practical demonstrations provide expertise in research methodologies in neuroscience, including neuroradiology. Many of the subjects covered are neurobiological and theoretical approaches to emotion, cognition and psychopathology, research methodologies and ethical issues in psychophysiology and neuroscience for research with humans and animals. The course enables you to analyse behaviour and cognitive and emotional processes from the point of view of neuroscience, to understand and use research methods within cognitive neuroscience, and to critically assess research.
Specialization in work and organisational psychology: (last admission Autumn 2020)
This specialization aims to provide research-based knowledge about how to understand and develop individuals, groups and organisations in a work-related context. Particular focus will be on the role as a change agent, and on mapping and intervention methodologies for leadership, group and organisational development.
Knowledge:
Upon completion of the degree, the candidate shall:
Skills:
General competence:
Upon completion of the degree, the candidate shall be able to:
Admission to the master's programme in psychology requires a completed bachelor's degree:
For the programme option "behaviour and neuroscience", the following requirements for admission apply:
Bachelor's degrees from UiB that qualify:
Other bachelor's degrees may qualify if you have 90 credits in psychology or equivalent.
External Bachelor's degrees that qualify:
Other bachelor's degrees may qualify if you have 90 credits in psychology or equivalent. Where specialisation in the degree is not specified, all courses in the bachelor's degree are used in the calculation of credits. If you have taken a bachelor's degree with a name that is not clearly related to psychology, you can attach a note to the admission that depicts how you believe the course is relevant/equivalent (including the title of the bachelor's thesis).
The language requirements for both Norwegian and English for this programme of study must be covered with general university and college admission certification, either on the basis of Norwegian Upper Secondary School or in another way. Minimum Norwegian requirements for applicants who have all or partial admissions criteria from a country outside the Nordic region: The Master of Psychology is a Norwegian language master's programme with the following Norwegian requirements.
1st semester (Autumn):
2nd semester (Spring):
Second year: Those who specialise in social and cognitive psychology may choose between writing a master¿s thesis of 30 or 60 credits.
3rd semester (Autumn):
4th semester (Spring):
It is possible and recommended to go on a student exchange and take part of your education in a different country. Students in the specialisation "social and cognitive psychology" can choose to write a 30 credits master's thesis, and take 30 elective credits on student exchange. If you choose to write a 60-credit master's thesis, you can choose to write part of the course thesis while you are on student exchange in your 3rd semester, this applies to both specializations.
The form of assessment for individual courses included in the master's programme is discussed in more detail in the course descriptions.
Various forms of assessment are used, such as a school examination and a home examination.
The programme of study is based on research and expertise on psychological principles and how these are used in different parts of society. As a qualified candidate, you have high and up-to-date competence in the field of study and will be well suited to working in the field as a professional in psychology. The programme of study qualifies for various professions where professional knowledge, information competence, critical thinking, academic writing, dissemination and the ability to work both independently and in teams are sought-after abilities. You will also have a basis for further research, either in an academic career (PhD study), or to carry out research as part of other activities in a different profession.