Considering a master in psychology? You’ll have to apply
Considering a master in psychology? You’ll have to apply
‘The clinical master programmes are particularly popular, says Klaas van Veen, vice dean at the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences. ‘There are no funds to expand our capacity, which means we’ll have to start making a selection.’
The influx problem started a few years ago. Last year, the clinical programmes had room for one hundred students, but 180 students registered.
Cutbacks
‘We’re right at the limit of our capacity’, says Van Veen. ‘We worked really hard to accommodate all those students, but at the same time, we’re dealing with cutbacks. Otherwise we’d expanded our capacity.’
The selection procedure will be implemented for all psychology master programmes. Students will be tested on their general knowledge of psychology and they’ll have to write a motivation letter.
Quality
Van Veen understands that students are worried this will mean they won’t be able to do their preferred master. ‘We don’t want to have to do this either, but we have no choice. If we keep going like this, we won’t be able to provide students with the quality education we want.’
The news follows the announcement that the psychology bachelor’s capacity will be increased from 600 to 650 students. The department is admitting more students since it’s expected that more students will drop out due to the corona crisis.
‘We’ve made careful calculations’, Van Veen says. ‘Approximately half the bachelor students decide to do a master programme outside of Groningen, so it shouldn’t cause any problems.’