Studying at the University of Vienna
Ian Ehm

Psychotherapy (master's programme)

Would you like to provide effective support to people and base your therapy on evidence? During the joint master's programme with the Medical University of Vienna, you will learn to make diagnoses, plan treatments and take effective action – in a way that is sensitive to diversity, legally sound and scientifically robust. The programme constitutes the second stage of specialist psychotherapy training in Austria in accordance with the Psychotherapy Act 2024.

  • The degree programme in a nutshell

    Overview
    Programme Code

    066 560

    Duration

    4 semesters

    Extent

    120 ECTS 

    Before admission

    Selection procedure 

    Online-Self-Assessment

    Complete the required Online-Self-Assessment here

    Degree

    Master of Science (MSc)

    Contents

    Curriculum for the master's programme in Psychotherapy (PDF, only available in German) 

    Cost

    Tuition fee/Student's Union fee (per Semester)

    Language

    German (admission requirement)

    A selection procedure is conducted in the master's programme in Psychotherapy. Find a short overview at “The selection procedure” → 

  • The selection procedure

    Overview
    Application period

    Deadline for the academic year 2027/28 is to be announced. 

    Available places

    40 (total with the Medical University of Vienna)

    Allocation of places

    written test, nationwide fixed date to be announced

    Administration fee

    € 80 administration fee

    Testdetails

    Prepare for the test with the info about the test procedure and topics. 

    Test duration

    3 hours

    Requirements

    Read all details about the requirements for admission to and the selection procedure for this master's programme in the Master Access Guide (MAG). 

    To the Master Access Guide (MAG)

    Please note: the selection procedure takes place only once per academic year! Only those who successfully participate in it and meet all admission requirements can start their studies. 

What is it about?

During the master's programme in Psychotherapy, you will learn to critically understand and apply knowledge of mental disorders, therapeutic approaches and research findings. You will gain an understanding of mental and psychosomatic disorders, taking into account somatopsychic interrelationships as well as age- and context-specific characteristics. The study of therapeutic approaches across all four clusters of psychotherapy science is also part of the programme. You will develop case concepts and plan treatments. You will gain practical experience in a targeted manner:

  • A (partially) residential practical course in psychiatric care.
  • A practical course in a psychotherapeutic care setting – accompanied by supervision as well as group and individual self-awareness sessions.
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Joint programme: What does this mean?

This master's programme is offered in partnership with the Medical University of Vienna. You apply at the University of Vienna and complete the admission procedure. You will study at the Medical University of Vienna as a co-registered student. Through this partnership, you will attend courses at both universities. 

Alternative Educational Paths

The master programme is not the only educational path in psychotherapy. Find out more about other training opportunities online, e.g. at the Postgraduate Center of the University of Vienna.

Insight into the course content

How is my degree programme structured? You can see a list of the course contents here:

Facts and figures

  • No data
    in total
    Info about the calculation
    Data updated November 2025
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    average study duration
    Info about the calculation
    Data updated November 2025
  • No data
    level of difficulty of the degree programme
    This is how graduates rate their degree programmes. You can find the results in the Graduation Survey.
    Data updated 2025
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    average gross monthly income 3 years after graduation
    What career paths are available after graduation? Answers in the Graduate Tracking.
    Data updated 2025

What can you expect after your studies?

Continue studying or start your career straight away? After completing your masters programme, all paths are open to you. Whether you decide to pursue a doctoral/PhD degree or take the plunge into the world of work, the possibilities are endless. The following overview shows you what options you have and where you can find the right support.

Ian Ehm

Career profiles

  • Good to know

    • After the master's programme the third stage of training follows: a fee-based postgraduate specialist training programme in psychotherapy with a professional association recognised in Austria. This training is concluded by a state-administered psychotherapy licensing examination.
    • Only then can you practise psychotherapy independently.

  • Which careers are possible after this degree?

    Prepare yourself both theoretically and practically for postgraduate specialist training in psychotherapy. Work in a scientifically grounded, legally compliant and diversity-sensitive manner – from the initial consultation right through to treatment planning. Possible career paths and further training options include:

    • Postgraduate specialist training in psychotherapy with a recognised professional association
    • Clinical psychotherapeutic care following the completion of your specialist training
    • Research in the area of Psychotherapy
    • Consulting in the healthcare sector and in care facilities

What else should you know?