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:

• have in-depth knowledge of scientific topics, theory and perspectives in the field of psychology
• have in-depth knowledge of the methods in the field of psychology
• have in-depth knowledge of key topics, theory, methods and fields of work relevant to one of the fields of study «social and cognitive psychology» or «behavior and neuroscience».

Skills:

• perform work assignments that require familiarity with complex subjects and solve problems related to human phenomena and interaction
• use their knowledge and abilities to carry out and lead comprehensive projects
• critically assess assertions and research related to psychological phenomena, mechanisms and processes
• analyse professional issues and research questions based on the subject of psychology, professional traditions, its nature and place in society
• work independently with theoretical, analytical and practical problem solving, based on existing theories, methodologies and interpretations within psychology.
• critically analyse different information sources and use these for academic reasoning
• undertake an independent research or development project under academic supervision and in line with current research ethical norms and rules.

General competence:

Upon completion of the degree, the candidate shall be able to:

• analyze professional, professional and research ethics issues within the field of psychology
• be able to apply qualitative and quantitative approaches to research
• manage large digital datasets
• communicate in writing and orally on complex academic topics
• communicate professional issues, analyzes and conclusions within the field of psychology, both with specialists and in general
• contribute to professional innovation and innovation processes within the field.

Admission to the master's programme in psychology requires a completed bachelor's degree:

• You must have taken at least 90 credits that are within psychology or a corresponding field of study, or that belong to the field of study for the programme option you are applying for. You can apply for admission based on credits taken as part of different degrees or from different academic institutions.
• You must have an average grade of at least C on the credits you are using as a basis for admission (90 credits)
• You must have written a Bachelor's thesis in psychology or an equivalent field of study. The thesis must have a scope of at least 10 credits
• You must have taken 15 credits using a research method (covering both qualitative and quantitative methods)
• If you have taken a course 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).

For the programme option "behaviour and neuroscience", the following requirements for admission apply:

• 5 credits in biological psychology with a C requirement. For applicants from UiB, biological psychology (5 credits) is part of PSYK114 or PSYK101.

Bachelor's degrees from UiB that qualify:

• Bachelor in General Psychology
• Bachelor in Occupational and Organisational Psychology

Other bachelor's degrees may qualify if you have 90 credits in psychology or equivalent.

External Bachelor's degrees that qualify:

• Bachelor's in Psychology from:
• Universitetet i Oslo
• Universitetet i Tromsø
• NTNU
• Høgkolen i Innlandet
• Bjørknes Høyskole
• Ansgar Teologiske Høgskole
• OsloMet.

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):

• MAPSYK301 Perspective in psychological science, 15 credits- common course
• Social and cognitive psychology: MAPSYK303 Applied social and cognitive psychology: Human physician factors in critical situations and cultural diversity in society and work, 15 credits
• Behaviour and neuroscience: MAPSYK319B Cognitive neuroscience, 15 credits

2nd semester (Spring):

• Social and cognitive psychology: MAPSYK304 Research perspective in social and cognitive psychology: Culture, sustainability and tourist experience, 15 credits
• Behaviour and neuroscience: MAPSYK319A Behavioural Neuroscience 1: Biological Psychology, 15 credits
• MAPSYK302 Research Methodology, 15 credits - Common Course

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):

• Social and cognitive psychology: Exchange/elective or first half of MAPSYK360 Master's thesis, 60 credits
• Behaviour and neuroscience: First half of MAPSYK360 Master's thesis, 60 credits

4th semester (Spring):

• Social and cognitive psychology: MAPSYK330 Master's Thesis, 30 credits, or second half of MAPSYK360 Master's Thesis, 60 credits
• Behaviour and neuroscience: Second half of MAPSYK360 Master's thesis, 60 credits

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.