Psychologische Hochschule Berlin (PHB)

Berlin, Germany

About Psychologische Hochschule Berlin (PHB)

Psychologische Hochschule Berlin (PHB) is a state-recognised, non-profit private university (gGmbH) specialising exclusively in psychology and psychotherapy. It was founded by the Berufsverband Deutscher Psychologinnen und Psychologen (BDP), Germany's main professional psychology association, and is located in the Haus der Psychologie complex at Am Köllnischen Park 2 in central Berlin, approximately ten minutes from Alexanderplatz.

The PHB offers a narrow but deep programme portfolio: a B.Sc. in Psychology, multiple consecutive Master's degrees (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy; Forensic Psychology), a dual-master option, and three state-approved postgraduate therapy training programmes in behavioural, depth-psychology-based, and systemic therapy. All programmes are state-accredited and taught by professors who maintain active clinical practice alongside their research roles (Scientist Practitioner model).

The university deliberately keeps class sizes small. All instruction and examinations are conducted in German; international applicants are required to demonstrate at least C1-level German proficiency. Tuition fees apply, as PHB is a fee-charging private institution — the B.Sc. costs €860 per month over six standard semesters, and the M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology costs €978 per month over four standard semesters.

Key facts

Official website

Germany's only university specialising exclusively in psychology and psychotherapy

Founded and owned by the BDP, Germany's main professional psychology association

All three state-recognised psychotherapy methods (behavioural, depth-psychology, systemic) taught under one roof

16 professors listed, all following the Scientist Practitioner model (active clinical practice + research)

Located in central Berlin's Haus der Psychologie, 10 minutes from Alexanderplatz

Deutschlandstipendium awarded annually to enrolled students (€300/month for two semesters)

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

PHB is a fee-charging private university. Tuition is not free. B.Sc. Psychology: €860 per month during the standard study period (6 semesters = 3 years); €50 per month administrative fee after the standard period. M.Sc. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy: €978 per month during the standard study period (4 semesters = 2 years); €50 per month administrative fee after the standard period. No distinction between EU and non-EU student fees is published on the official website. There is no separate semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) structure disclosed; the monthly fee appears to be the all-inclusive charge. The PHB awards a small number of Deutschlandstipendium grants (€300/month for two semesters) to enrolled students; applications are accepted 1 April – 30 June each year.

Admission requirements

For the B.Sc. Psychology, applicants need the German Allgemeine Hochschulreife (Abitur) or an equivalent internationally recognised university entrance qualification. International applicants must additionally provide proof of German language proficiency at C1 level or above. Foreign bachelor's degree credentials for Master's admission are assessed by the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB/anabin process). The M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy additionally requires a university bachelor's degree in psychology that fulfils the requirements of the reformed German Psychotherapy Act (§ 9 Abs. 4 PsychThG). APS certificate: PHB is a private university and does not appear on the list of universities requiring APS for Indian/Chinese/Vietnamese applicants via uni-assist; however, Indian/Chinese/Vietnamese applicants should verify the APS requirement directly with the university, as the general APS obligation for these nationalities may still apply. Applications are submitted via an online form; the university then communicates full admission requirements and grants access to the document upload portal.

Application deadlines

B.Sc. Psychology: rolling applications accepted year-round; programme starts in the winter semester only, with an effective cut-off of 1 October. Transfer applications for summer semester: 15 February deadline. M.Sc. programmes: applications accepted continuously; intake is 1 October (winter semester). No summer semester intake is published for master's programmes. Deadlines for therapy training programmes are not published on the website.

Languages of instruction

All degree programmes and examinations are conducted exclusively in German. International applicants must demonstrate German language proficiency at a minimum of C1 level (e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat C1, TestDaF, DSH). No English-taught degree programmes are offered.

Campuses & locations

Main Campus – Am Köllnischen Park

Am Köllnischen Park 2, 10179 Berlin (Mitte); houses teaching, administration, and training clinic

Annex / University Clinic – Friedrichshain

Grünberger Str. 54, 10245 Berlin; therapy training seminars and university outpatient clinic

Living in Berlin

Berlin is Germany's capital and largest city, with a population of approximately 3.7 million. It is a major hub for research, technology, creative industries, and public-sector employment. The cost of living is lower than Munich or Frankfurt, though it has risen significantly in recent years. Berlin has one of the largest student populations in Europe, with more than 200,000 enrolled across its universities. The city has an extensive public transport network (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, bus) and a large English-speaking expatriate community, making initial settlement relatively straightforward for international students.

Student life & support

The PHB emphasises small, close-knit cohorts and positions its study counselling team (Studienberatung) as the primary point of contact for prospective and current students throughout the entire application and study process. The team can be reached at [email protected] or +49 30 20 91 66-200. Psychological counselling for enrolled students is also available through the same office. A university library is located on the ground floor of the main building. The PHB does not publish information about dedicated housing assistance or in-house German language courses; international students are advised to contact the study counselling office and consult Berlin student services (Studierendenwerk Berlin) for accommodation and language course options.

Accredited Programmes

Master

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus