[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Best Colleges for Psychology Worldwide[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Psychology students learn how to interpret human behavior. The best schools for psychology in the world provide pathways to bolster our understanding of humanity.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Psychology explores human behaviors, the elements that drive human conduct, and how these actions influence personal and professional interactions. By studying psychology, students gain insight into the human mind, learning about themselves and others.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/psychology-degree/”]A degree in psychology[/hen-ui-link] trains learners to think critically, analyze, and implement the scientific method. Students learn psychological concepts, theories, and processes. They also explore conscious and unconscious human behavior.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The best colleges for psychology offer programs to assess human motivations, personalities, and emotions in the context of human interactions and psychological disorders. Graduates with[hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-online-masters-psychology/”] advanced degrees in psychology[/hen-ui-link] can help others as therapists, social workers, and educators.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students can find the best colleges for psychology worldwide. Whether you plan to [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/best-online-bachelors-psychology/”]pursue an undergraduate[/hen-ui-link] or graduate degree, here are the top psychology programs from 10 different countries.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Top Psychology Programs in the World[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background” theme=”primary”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Harvard University” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b3″ class=”font-semibold”]Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Established in 1636, Harvard has remained at the forefront of the psychology field since the late 19th century. Harvard currently offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology, along with a postdoctoral program.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Divided into four research areas, [hen-ui-link href=”https://psychology.fas.harvard.edu/”]Harvard’s psychology department[/hen-ui-link] offers undergraduate and graduate degrees with specializations in clinical, cognitive, social, and developmental psychology. Tutorials, research coursework, and projects keep learners engaged and on track throughout their programs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Research opportunities within the department accompany non-departmental research work. Harvard provides scholarships and funding options for undergraduate and graduate students alike.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”University of Oxford” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b3″ class=”font-semibold”]Location: Oxford, United Kingdom[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world, enrolls over 400 undergraduate, graduate, and research students in its [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.psy.ox.ac.uk/”]psychology programs[/hen-ui-link]. Competitive admission accept approximately 13% of applicants to study at Oxford. International students comprise roughly 46% of the student body at Oxford.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Undergraduate programs in experimental psychology and psychology, philosophy, and linguistics explore core psychological research areas. Additional topics include abnormal, developmental, and biological psychology.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduate and research students benefit from access to more than 30 concentrations. Harvard offers master’s degrees in psychological research and neuroscience, as well as doctoral programs in experimental psychology and neuroscience.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”University of Amsterdam” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b3″ class=”font-semibold”]Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Tracing back to 1632, the UvA houses [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.uva.nl/en/about-the-uva/organisation/faculties/faculty-of-social-and-behavioural-sciences/disciplines/psychology/psychology.html/”]six psychology research groups[/hen-ui-link] within its faculty of social and behavioral sciences. UvA offers several psychology programs in both English and Dutch.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Undergraduate students can earn bachelor’s degrees in psychology in 36 months. Introductory coursework precedes research and specialized classes in one of six specializations.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Master’s degrees in psychology include clinical health tracks, research programs, and concentrated degrees in behavioral data science and cultural psychology. Research programs span 24 months. Clinical and specialized master’s degrees require 12 months of study.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”National University of Singapore” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b3″ class=”font-semibold”]Location: Singapore[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NUS offers the [hen-ui-link href=”https://fass.nus.edu.sg/psy/”]oldest psychology program[/hen-ui-link] in the republic. Undergraduate students can earn bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degrees in general psychology. The curriculum covers the fundamentals of biological, developmental, cognitive, and abnormal psychology, along with specialized subjects like health psychology.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NUS provides two psychology master’s degrees. Full-time students can complete the clinical psychology degree in two years.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The master’s program allows learners to specialize in six research areas. Students can earn their degrees in 36 months. The psychology doctorate includes up to 72 months of coursework and research requirements.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”University of British Columbia” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b3″ class=”font-semibold”]Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Founded in 1915, UBC maintains campuses in Vancouver and the Okanagan Valley. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://psych.ubc.ca/”]department of psychology[/hen-ui-link] at UBC includes 60 faculty members who specialize in one of eight research areas.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]UBC’s bachelor’s degrees include a bachelor of arts in psychology and a bachelor of science in behavioral neuroscience. The former integrates introductory coursework with advanced classes, while the latter focuses on the biological basis for behavior with specializations in behavioral neuroscience and cognitive systems.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learners in UBC’s graduate programs choose from seven concentration areas. Students also have opportunities for interdisciplinary study.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”University of Melbourne” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b3″ class=”font-semibold”]Location: Melbourne, Australia[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As one of UM’s over 100 areas of study, psychology falls within the institution’s bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of biomedicine programs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduate options in [hen-ui-link href=”https://psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/”]psychology at UM[/hen-ui-link] include a biomedical science approach. Additional master’s degrees in psychology include applied psychology, educational psychology, and professional psychology.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]UM also offers graduate diplomas in psychology and youth mental health, along with a joint master’s and doctoral degree in clinical psychology. All psychology courses hold accreditation from the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”KU Leuven” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b3″ class=”font-semibold”]Location: Leuven, Belgium[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]KU Leuven offers academic programs in English, French, Dutch, and Spanish. English-language options for psychology students include a [hen-ui-link href=”https://ppw.kuleuven.be/en/”]master of psychology[/hen-ui-link] in theory and research.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]KU Leuven’s master of psychology degree integrates classes in statistics and research methodology with coursework that explores the disciplines of psychology. Learners choose specialized courses in topics such as health psychology and neurobiology of psychiatric disorders.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Each psychology student completes individual and group-based coursework, interdisciplinary research, a master’s thesis, and an internship. The internship lasts 120 days, with learners placed at KU Leuven’s research labs or partner universities worldwide.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”The University of Hong Kong” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b3″ class=”font-semibold”]Location: Hong Kong[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Undergraduate and graduate programs in [hen-ui-link href=”https://psychology.hku.hk/”]psychology at HKU[/hen-ui-link] align with the department’s four research areas. Undergraduate students can major in psychology, cognitive science, or neuroscience, with additional opportunities to minor in human resource management.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Master’s degrees include specializations in clinical, educational, or general psychology. HKU also offers doctoral degrees in clinical and educational psychology, with accompanying research degrees in the same subdisciplines.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The nearly 20 research laboratories at HKU allow undergraduate and graduate students to engage with research and participate in ongoing studies. Faculty members get involved in community services.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b3″ class=”font-semibold”]Location: Berlin, Germany[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As one of the 11 Universities of Excellence in Germany, HU Berlin offers a 180-credit [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/studies/counselling/course-catalogue/programme-descriptions/psychomono/”]bachelor’s degree in psychology[/hen-ui-link] that prepares students for careers in diagnostics, counseling, education, and business.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Undergraduate learners engage with a curriculum based in the psychology fundamentals, with opportunities to complete research with 14 faculty members during their degrees.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The master’s degree in psychology at HU Berlin includes optional specializations in neurocognitive psychology, lifespan psychology, clinical psychology and psychotherapy, and methodology and diagnostics. Students can also specialize in general psychology and participate in short or long internships.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”University of Zurich” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b3″ class=”font-semibold”]Location: Zürich, Switzerland[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With nearly 30,000 enrollees, UZH is the largest university in Switzerland. The institution offers most classes and examinations in the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology in German.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.psychology.uzh.ch/en.html/”]Psychology programs at UZH[/hen-ui-link] include a 120-credit-hour bachelor’s degree, which students can complete in six semesters. The master’s degree in psychology spans four semesters. Didactic coursework, research seminars, and group assignments prepare learners for master’s thesis projects.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Master’s and doctoral programs in psychology at UZH include concentrations in four research areas. Doctoral students participate in the LIFE program to enhance research and teaching abilities through seminars and residency requirements.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”careers”]What Can You Do With a Degree in Psychology?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduates can pursue [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/career-guide/psychology-degree-jobs/”]careers in psychology[/hen-ui-link], such as counseling and therapy, education, and business. Most psychology students work in positions that allow them to apply their understanding of human behavior to help others facilitate positive interactions.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A bachelor’s degree in psychology presents opportunities for entry-level roles in social work, community engagement, and business. To become counselors, learners often need to earn master’s degrees and state licensure. Doctoral programs in psychology can lead to executive positions and teaching jobs in higher education.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Interview With a Psychologist[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”] [hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Dr. Jeanne Slattery” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/c_fill,h_300,w_300,g_face,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:eco/v1627578766/experts/Jeanne_Slattery.jpg” img-alt=”Dr. Jeanne Slattery” layout=”horizontal” background=”none” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”][hen-ui-link href=”https://jeannemslattery.wordpress.com/”]Jeanne M. Slattery, Ph.D.[/hen-ui-link] is professor and chair of psychology at [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.clarion.edu”]Clarion University[/hen-ui-link]. She has been especially active in the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, where she currently serves as president-elect. She has a small private practice working with adults and children with mood and anxiety disorders, especially after a history of trauma.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What level of education do you have, and what did you look for in your psychology program(s)?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]I have a Ph.D. in experimental psychology and later went back to school to become licensed as a clinical psychologist. I particularly wanted a program with faculty who valued their teaching and were interested in my personal and intellectual development.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What classes or experiences were the most beneficial (personally or professionally) in your psychology program?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There were two kinds of experiences that were especially important for me.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]I remember and value those people who were there for me and who framed what I did in a positive way. One professor, for example, talked with me about my choice of graduate programs and how to think about and choose among them.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]I also remember and value those courses that were more hands-on, where we collected and considered some data together (we looked at the Moon Illusion in a series of studies when I was an undergraduate), or where I received feedback on my clinical skills. In each of these situations, I felt I was a collaborator with my professor and that I had something valuable to contribute.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What was one of the biggest challenges of your psychology program, and what advice would you have for students just starting out?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]One of the biggest challenges that I experienced was in being confident about my opinion and skills. I had difficulty in believing in myself, so my professors’ belief in me provided a bridge that helped me learn to believe in myself.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For students just starting out, I’d say that you should talk to your professors and find a mentor who believes in and supports you. A good mentor makes a world of difference![/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Psychology Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What College Has the Best Psychology Program?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The college with the best psychology program offers what you need to meet your personal and professional goals.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What’s the Best Psychology Degree?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The best psychology degree leads to your desired career. To become a counselor or therapist, an individual needs at least a master’s degree. A master’s degree also serves as a pathway to a doctoral program.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What Is the Best School for Clinical Psychology?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The best school for clinical psychology integrates practical and didactic learning to prepare you to work with individuals and groups in clinical settings. The institutions on our list rank among the top colleges in the world for clinical psychology.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”] [hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Melissa Sartore” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:eco/v1618860719/TheBestSchools.org/hero-images/Experts/author-no-image.jpg” img-alt=”Melissa Sartore” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”][hen-ui-link href=”/about/#writers/”]Melissa Sartore[/hen-ui-link] holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her BA and MA in history are from Western Illinois University. A medievalist by training, she has published on outlawry in medieval England with additional publications on outlaws in popular culture and across geographic and historical boundaries.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm text-right”]Header Image Credit: ferrantraite | Getty Images[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”350,204,1330″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]