Studying Psychology Abroad
Psychology is one of the most popular fields for migration. The requirements for studying psychology abroad vary across different countries. In many countries, you can work with only a master’s degree in psychology, so individuals who want to pursue a master’s in psychology abroad have a high chance of obtaining admission with a strong resume and language proficiency.
Additionally, those interested in studying in the United States or Austria should know that psychology is a highly significant field in these countries. It is one of the most sought-after subjects among students, and as a result, students can benefit from various scholarships offered by the best universities worldwide. Stay with us till the end of this article to learn more about the best psychology universities globally.
Studying Psychology Abroad
As you know, psychology is directly related to individuals’ mental and emotional well-being. The conditions for studying psychology abroad differ across universities, but generally, a successful psychology student must have knowledge and skills in the fields of humanities, behavioral sciences, mathematics, and communication.
There are various specializations within this field, including clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and criminology. This field is highly popular and offers extensive job opportunities in various sectors. Students wishing to study psychology have many options available, ranging from Austria, the home of modern psychology, to the American Psychological Association in the United States.
Conditions for Studying Psychology Abroad
Studying psychology abroad follows a similar process in all countries. In this section, we will thoroughly review the conditions for studying psychology abroad to help you better understand what to expect. Applicants who meet the requirements can pursue a degree in psychology at three levels: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. As you may know, the duration of studies varies depending on the level of education: a bachelor’s typically takes 4 years, a master’s takes 2 years, and a doctoral program lasts 4 years.
In non-English-speaking countries, applicants have the option to study at public universities in the country’s native language or English at private universities. Studying in the country’s native language is free of charge, while tuition fees apply if studying in English. Generally, applicants aiming to study psychology in English are required to present an IELTS score of 6 for a bachelor’s program, 6.5 for a master’s, and 7 for a doctoral program.
Specializations in Psychology Abroad
As mentioned earlier, psychology is one of the broadest fields, with various branches. Here are some of the most popular and well-known psychology specializations abroad:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Cognitive and Perceptual Psychologists
- Psychological Counselor
- Developmental Psychologist
- Educational Psychologist
- Engineering Psychologist
- Experimental Psychologists
- Forensic Psychologists
- Health Psychologists
- Industrial/Organizational Psychologists
- Neuroscientific Psychologists
- School Psychologists
- Sports Psychologists
Advantages of Studying Psychology Abroad
As you know, many people are pursuing educational migration these days, and undoubtedly, each individual has their specific reasons for studying abroad. One of the ways to migrate for education is by studying psychology abroad. Studying this field abroad can offer numerous benefits to students who meet the requirements for studying psychology in foreign countries. Below are some of these advantages:
- Exposure to different cultures
- Diverse courses and programs available for study
- The opportunity to specialize in various branches of psychology
- Access to advanced research facilities
- The opportunity to visit different countries
- Possibility of undertaking internships
- Opportunities for scholarships
These are just some of the advantages of studying psychology abroad. For individuals aiming to achieve high academic degrees and engage in research work, studying psychology abroad is undoubtedly the best choice.
Relevant Exams for Psychology
Generally speaking, most universities worldwide require students wishing to study psychology abroad to take an entrance exam or provide the results of certain international exams. It’s important to note that the exams related to psychology are often unique and follow specific standards, but for certain areas, such as English language proficiency, fixed criteria are applied. Keep in mind that if you choose a language other than English, you must provide an accredited certificate in that language.
Additionally, in most universities, the SAT, ACT, or GREs are accepted. For English language proficiency, you can provide IELTS or TOEFL scores. GRE scores are typically required for graduate programs at prestigious universities worldwide, and U.S. universities place a strong emphasis on SAT or ACT results.
Cost of Studying Psychology Around the World
All students interested in studying psychology abroad should keep in mind that studying abroad comes with higher expenses. It’s important to remember that even if you receive a scholarship, you still need to account for additional costs such as living expenses and transportation to the destination country, which can add up due to currency fluctuations and the local currency exchange rates.
It’s advisable to visit the website of your desired university or seek advice from experts in this field to increase your chances of securing a scholarship. However, it should be noted that many universities, particularly private institutions, offer students the opportunity to earn a valid degree by simply paying for their education.
If you plan to study psychology abroad by paying tuition fees, you may face high costs at some universities. For example, the University of Cambridge charges around £32,000 annually, which increases with the living expenses in the UK. Similarly, the tuition fees at the University of California, Berkeley, are about $43,000 per year, which is a substantial amount.
Best Countries to Study Psychology Abroad
Europe has historically been a leader in the development of psychology, and as such, many of the top psychology programs and universities are located on this continent. However, other countries like Canada and Australia also offer high-quality education for students pursuing psychology abroad. When choosing the best country, it’s essential not only to consider the educational level and amenities like scholarships and work-study opportunities but also to explore post-graduation residency options.
A crucial factor to consider when deciding on a study destination is where you plan to work after graduation. It’s worth noting that working as an active psychologist in the country where you studied is generally easier, provided you can secure a work visa to gain professional recognition. For example, countries like Canada and Australia are very supportive of helping psychology graduates find suitable jobs. These countries have thriving job markets in the field. Some of the best countries to study psychology abroad include:
- Austria
- Italy
- France
- Norway
- Australia
- USA
- UK
- China
- Turkey
- Russia
1. Studying Psychology in China
It’s important to note that studying psychology in China has fewer followers compared to many other countries. This is largely because certain professions, such as psychology, require fluency in the country’s official language. However, most students looking to study abroad prefer English-speaking countries like Canada and the UK. That being said, China does offer psychology programs at some universities in English, but practicing as a psychologist in China requires proficiency in Chinese. Additionally, many American universities in China offer psychology programs and other courses in English, but these universities tend to be private. Generally, students choosing a less expensive country might find options like France, Norway, Hungary, Turkey, Italy, etc., which offer both more affordable education and easier post-graduation work visa conditions.
2. Studying Psychology in Turkey
Choosing psychology as a field of study in Turkey is arguably the smartest decision for students in the humanities. Studying at one of Turkey’s best universities in this popular field is a dream for many students. Studying psychology abroad in Turkey offers many advantages, especially for Iranians.
Additionally, students from other countries may also opt for Turkish universities, but Turkey’s proximity to Iran, the opportunity to study in a European country, and the benefits of student exchange programs make Turkish universities especially attractive to Iranian students. Other advantages of studying psychology in Turkey include:
- Studying at international and top psychology universities in Turkey
- High cultural diversity in Turkey
- Possibility of obtaining Turkish permanent residency through employment in psychology
- Opportunities to work in both public and private sectors
3. Studying Psychology in Russia
Studying psychology abroad, including in Russia, presents very favorable conditions. Studying in Russia can be an attractive option for students, as universities in this country are highly regarded internationally. These universities appear in global rankings and stand out in fields such as mathematics, physics, social sciences, economics, psychology, and more. Additionally, the cost of studying and living in Russia is significantly more affordable compared to Western countries. The tuition fees are variable, and many international students can live comfortably on a reasonable monthly budget.
Another advantage of studying psychology in Russia is that over 300,000 Russian scholarships are available for international students, allowing them to study without worrying about tuition or living expenses. These educational benefits make Russia an attractive destination for international students interested in studying psychology abroad. Some of the top universities in Russia for studying psychology include:
- HSE University in Moscow
- Far Eastern Federal University
- Kazan Federal University
Studying Psychology Abroad; Top Universities for Psychology in the World
Choosing a good university is crucial when considering studying abroad, and students with aspirations to study psychology abroad are advised to thoroughly check the admission conditions of top universities. It’s important to note that leading universities around the world, including those for psychology, have specific admission criteria.
Below is a table showing the top 10 universities for studying psychology. Interestingly, all of these universities are located in the United States and the United Kingdom:
RankUniversity NameCountry
1 Harvard University USA
2 Stanford University USA
3 University of Oxford UK
4 University of Cambridge UK
5 University of California, Berkeley USA
6 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) USA
7 Yale University USA
8 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor USA
9 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) USA
10 University College London (UCL) UK
Income of Psychologists in Different Countries
The income of a psychologist in a given country is one of the most important factors when discussing studying psychology abroad and choosing the best country for a career in psychology. Generally, applicants tend to focus on working in advanced countries that offer the highest salaries to their workforce. Below is a list of the top countries along with the average salary of a psychologist in each country, expressed in the local currency:
- United States: USD 247
- United Kingdom: £48,550
- Switzerland: 88,144 CHF
- Spain: €111,000
- Sweden: 493,630 SEK
- Norway: 676,667 NOK
- Netherlands: €57,000
- Germany: €65,343
- France: €52,621
- Finland: €194,000
- Denmark: 498,332 DKK
- Canada: 300,000 CAD
- Australia: 108,368 AUD
- Austria: €56,404
Summary
This article from Elm Vira’s website examined the conditions for studying psychology abroad and provided a comprehensive and scientific review of the essential parameters to help you select the best country for your studies. As mentioned, the opportunity to study psychology at various levels is available in countries worldwide. It is recommended to study psychology in the language of the country where you plan to work or to learn the native language of the destination country while studying, as you will need it for working there.
If you are interested in studying this field at the best psychology universities worldwide, you can visit the free consultation section for more information. Our experts at Elm Vira will do their best to guide you on this path.
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