Psychology – UP Famnit

Programme information

Curriculum

Course description

Presentation of the study

The master’s study programme Psychology is conducted in Slovenian language.

The study programme is designed to educate professionals for independent, competent, and ethically responsible work in various areas of psychological practice. It provides students with in-depth theoretical and methodological knowledge, as well as the development of practical skills and competences in line with EuroPsy standards.

Students gain an understanding of the complex biological, psychological, and social factors influencing individual and group behaviour, as well as the ability to critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in practice. Special emphasis is placed on mental health, prevention, the promotion of healthy and productive work environments, education, and support for individual development. The programme integrates insights from applied psychology, neuroscience, behavioural genetics, and psychotherapy, and promotes research work and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Graduates are trained to plan, implement, and evaluate psychological interventions, participate in research projects, and contribute to the development of professional practices and policies in the field of mental health, while also fostering a commitment to lifelong learning.

Programme information

Programme name: Psychology

Type of programme: master’s study programme, 2nd cycle

Degree awarded: “magister psihologije” equiv. to a Master’s degree in Psychology

Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)

ECTS-credits: 120

Mode of study: full-time

Language of instruction: Slovene

Place of study: Koper

Accreditation: the programme is accredited in accordance with the Higher Education Act and is officially recognised.

Admission to the first year 1 of the programme shall be granted to applicants who:

a) have completed a Bachelor’s (first-cycle) degree programme in the field of psychology or biopsychology that complies with the requirements of the EuroPsy Certificate, earning at least 180 ECTS credits; or

b) have completed a first-cycle degree programme of at least 180 ECTS credits from the field of biopsychology, having also completed academic requirements of 10 to 42 ECTS credits that are deemed essential for the continuation of their studies, namely from the list of courses in the following subdisciplines: educational psychology, work and organizational psychology, developmental psychology, clinical psychology, research methods, differential psychology and (bio)psychology of motivation and emotions. Upon examination of the candidate’s previous study programme, the competent academic committee of UP FAMNIT shall define each candidate’s additional academic requirements on a case-by-case basis. The additional study requirements may be completed during the candidate’s undergraduate studies, in training programmes or by passing exams (courses) before enrolling in the Master’s degree programme; or

c) have completed another first-cycle (Bachelor’s) degree programme, provided that the programme covered at least 120 ECTS credits in topics from the field of psychology and that prior to enrolment the candidate has completed additional academic requirements essential for further studies to the total of 30 to 60 ECTS credits. Suitability of the completed study programme, and consequently the possibility of enrolment in the present programme, is decided upon by the competent academic committee of UP FAMNIT, which reviews the submitted undergraduate study programme the candidate has completed and any other evidence of the proficiencies the candidate has acquired. Having established that the completed study programme potentially allows the candidate to enrol in the Master’s degree programme, the committee then determines the additional academic requirements the candidate must complete, depending on the disciplinary field of the candidate’s previous studies. Candidates may complete these additional academic requirements during their undergraduate studies, in training programmes, or by taking exams (courses) before enrolling in the Master’s degree programme; or

d) have completed an equivalent training abroad and have been, in the process of recognition of their qualification and in line with the Recognition and Evaluation of Education Act, granted the right to continue their studies at the Master’s degree programme in Psychology.

In the case of enrolment limitations, applicants shall be selected on the basis of:

success in the selection exam (30 %),
the average grade obtained in their undergraduate study programme (70 %). All study obligations from the undergraduate study programme, including the Final Project Paper, is included in the average grade. The grade-point average of applicants who have completed a study programme under Paragraph 2 or 3 of the conditions for admission to the programme also includes the grades of their additional academic requirements (bridge exams).

The method of conducting the selection exam will be determined by the committee at UP FAMNIT.

If the number of applicants for admission to the master’s study programme exceeds the number of available places, a selection exam will be conducted as part of the selection procedure. Information on whether a selection exam will be required will be published on the faculty’s website after the conclusion of the first application deadline. The selection exam assesses fundamental knowledge expected of graduates of a first-cycle degree in Psychology.

All information regarding the structure and administration of the entrance examination, as well as the exam dates, is available on the Slovene presentation page of the study programme.

“Transfer between study programmes” refers to a situation in which a student enrolled in a particular study programme does not complete it (i.e. discontinues education in the enrolled programme) and directly enrols into a higher year of a new study programme, whereby both the previous and the new programme must belong to the same Bologna cycle (level). When considering the possibility of transferring to a new study programme, the comparability of the programmes and the student’s completed study requirements in the previous programme are taken into account.

Admission to the 2nd year of the master’s study programme in Psychology under the transfer criteria is possible if the following conditions are met:

the candidate meets the admission requirements for the master’s study programme in Psychology,
the completion of the initial study programme which the candidate is transferring from ensures the acquisition of comparable competences to those of the the master’s study programme in Psychology, and
other criteria in accordance with the Criteria for Transfers between Study Programmes are met (comparable curriculum of the study programme and completed study requirements of the candidate).

Individual applications for transfer shall be considered by the Committee for Study and Student Affairs of UP FAMNIT.

A candidate transferring from a related study programme abroad may also be admitted under the transfer criteria, provided that, in accordance with the law, they have been granted the right to continue their studies in the master’s study programme in Psychology through the recognition procedure of foreign education.

In the case of limited enrolment, candidates are selected based on the average grade of all completed study requirements in the study programme from which the candidate is transferring.

A student may progress to the next year if they accumulate at least 48 ECTS credits from the enrolled year.

In special cases involving individual circumstances (such as illness or extraordinary situations), a student may be allowed to progress to the next year even with a lower number of ECTS credits. In such cases, the decision on enrollment is made by the Committee for Study and Student Affairs of UP FAMNIT.

A student who has not completed all the requirements specified by the study programme for progression to the next year may, during the course of their studies, repeat a year once. If a student repeats a year, they are not entitled to absolvent year, and their student status expires at the end of the 2nd year.

By progressing or repeating a year, a student retains student status and, consequently, the rights and benefits defined by law. In accordance with the law, a student may apply for an extension of student status, but for no more than one year.

In the 2nd year of study, students select two elective courses (internal or external electives).

Internal elective courses are chosen within the study programme, and students may also select other courses in the fields of biopsychology and neuroscience. External elective courses may be chosen from accredited study programmes at higher education institutions in Slovenia or abroad in the fields of biopsychology, psychology, and natural sciences; one course may also be selected from the field of humanities (e.g. anthropology, philosophy, cultural studies). As an external elective, students may also choose a course from the list of internal elective courses.

More information on elective courses and study tracks is available in the document “Curriculum” (see above).

Practical training is carried out in accordance with the standards of supervised practice of the Slovenian Psychological Association (EuroPsy). In the 2nd year, students complete compulsory practical training worth 15 ECTS or 280 hours.

The practical training is intended to transfer theoretical knowledge into a work environment (e.g. education, healthcare, social care, non-governmental organisations, and research institutions). Each student is assigned a mentor at the host institution, who holds a university degree in psychology or a Master’s degree in psychology, has at least one year of relevant work experience, and is employed by the organisation providing the placement.

Students are responsible for finding their own placement organisation; a list of organisations that have previously participated is available from the practical training coordinator.

General competencies

Commitment to continuous professional training and self-reflection;
The ability to integrate research and professional findings in the field with those of related disciplines;
The skills of abstract reasoning, critical thinking, and developing theoretical concepts, and the ability to transfer these into practice;
Interest in interdisciplinary research;
The ability to apply acquired knowledge in practical situations;
The ability to use acquired knowledge and skills in research and professional work;
The ability to develop a personal professional strategy for addressing a problem;
The ability to use a problem-based approach in addressing various problems;
The ability to conduct a quality literature search and to select relevant published sources;
The ability to search, select, develop or adjust relevant methods, techniques and instruments;
The ability to produce written assignments: situation analysis, interventions planning and research reports;
The ability to present research findings;
Communication skills;
Concern for continuous personal professional development;
The capacity to evaluate one’s own knowledge of the topics studied with regard to meeting the set objectives;
Development of ethical responsibility in the field of counselling for individuals and groups;
The development of appropriate interventions based on theoretical findings;
Preparation and implementation of interventions;
Evaluation of interventions carried out in practice and provision of relevant recommendations based on this evaluation;
Autonomy in reaching decisions in problem situations;
Interdisciplinary team work;
Creative thinking skills.

Subject-specific competencies

Familiarity with various quantitative and qualitative research design and data collection methods;
A firm understanding of the purpose and application of the research methods used in natural and social sciences, with a focus on the scientific disciplines of neuroscience, psychology, ethology, genetics and behavioural genetics;
The ability to integrate various scientific disciplines (psychology, mental health, psycho- and sociopathology, neuroscience, etc.);
A sound understanding of theory based on examples of use;
The ability to transfer methodological knowledge and apply it in independent research;
The ability to analyse and compare various research plans and methods appropriate to the specific research problem;
Creativity in planning research procedures and the ability to effectively combine various research methods;
Awareness of the limitations imposed by individual research methods and ethical dilemmas, and the capacity for critical reflection on bio-psychological research;
An in-depth knowledge of basic (univariate and bivariate descriptive and inferential) statistics and knowledge of advanced multivariate statistics;
Understanding of the purpose and application of the various techniques of multivariate statistical analysis;
The ability to independently conduct a (multivariate) statistical analysis using one of the established computer programs for statistical analysis;
The ability to compare various techniques used in multivariate analysis and to select the most appropriate one for solving a specific research problem;
A sound understanding of the practical significance of the relationship between the influence of genetics and the environment on patterns of behaviour;
A good knowledge and understanding of the techniques and strategies used for determining the genetic basis of behaviour in humans and animals;
The ability to define certain behavioural disorders and diseases, and the ability to assign them to the activity of a particular gene or set of genes, while at the same time determining the degree of environmental impact;
Understanding of the transmission of genetic information in diseases and disorders, and using this to interpret behavioural responses;
Knowledge and understanding of the causes and development of central nervous system disorders;
Knowledge of the basic methods of treatment and research in the field of study of diseases of the central nervous system;
The knowledge and skills necessary to perform a diagnostic assessment of central nervous system disorders and to detect biomarkers;
Knowledge and understanding of the fundamental theories, notions and concepts pertaining to organizational and personnel psychology;
The ability to conduct an analysis of the needs and problems related to an organization (performance, innovation, flexibility) and to identify necessary and possible improvements through changes in the organizational structure, culture and management;
Selection and application of methods, techniques and instruments appropriate for the analysis of individual, group and organizational perceptions, attitudes and behaviour in relation to organizations, practices, structure, culture and management;
Development of solutions and products: questionnaires for employees, programmes of change;
Depending on the situation observed in the organization, preparation of a plan of intervention focused on the individual, group or organization as a whole (e.g. training in the field of management, team formation and development, changing the organizational culture);
The ability to assess the adequacy of the planned interventions (design, measurement and analysis, validity, reliability);
Familiarity with the different types of interviews, with particular emphasis on the psychological interview;
Understanding and critical analysis of the implementation of psychological interviews in relation to client needs, and purposes of their application;
Development and evaluation of interventions targeted at the individual, group or society;
Understanding and critical analysis of the performed interview in accordance with the needs of the client and the purposes of psychological treatment;
The ability to define the objectives of the interview and set the criteria for the evaluation of performance in relation to the objectives of the interview;
The ability to plan activities and interventions on the basis of the information obtained in the course of the interview;
The ability to critically assess and analyse scientific and professional knowledge in the field of health psychology;
The ability to apply theoretical knowledge when conducting interventions in the actual environment / on the ground;
The ability to plan therapeutic activities and interventions;
A full and critical understanding of different approaches to the implementation of interventions performed so as to assist individuals and groups;
The ability to integrate the theoretical contents of the study programme with practical specificities in the work environment;
The ability to use psychological procedures in clinical psychological practice;
The ability to collaborate with professional associates in the actual work environment, applying the findings of organizational psychology;
The ability to conduct a constructive dialogue with different sectors of the public, in conjunction with public health interventions;
The ability to lead interdisciplinary teams in public health interventions;
The ability to substantiate expert opinions in clinical psychology practice;
The ability to explain and demonstrate professional and scientific findings to various stakeholders (non-professionals) in public health interventions;
The ability to empathise with others in clinical psychology practice;
Familiarity with the basic areas and methodology of educational psychology;
Knowledge of various theories of learning, motivation and intelligence;
Familiarity with the concepts of academic achievement, transfer, creativity and the concept of self in the context of educational psychology;
An understanding of the role of cognitive, emotional, personal and social factors of learning;
Familiarity with the scope of work of school psychologists and with the elements of pedagogical interaction;
The ability to efficiently use the acquired knowledge in the work of a school psychologist;
The use of pedagogical and psychological skills in planning the learning and teaching process for different groups of individuals;
The ability to apply acquired knowledge in the prevention of behavioural and learning difficulties in the school environment;

The master’s study programme follows current and future employment trends in the field of professional psychological practice, both in the economic and non-economic sectors.

Graduates – Master of Psychology – will be employable in all typical positions in the public sector where psychologists work, in particular in healthcare, education (subject to additional requirements – completion of pedagogical-andragogical training[1] amounting to 60 ECTS credits) )[2] [3], social care, justice, defence, etc. In addition, they will also be employable in other areas of the non-economic sector where psychologists have long represented a key professional profile, for example in non-governmental non-profit organisations (e.g. tasks related to psychological prevention, rehabilitation, psychotherapy, psychosocial support, etc.) and in the private sector (e.g. therapy, counselling, etc.).

In companies, Master of Psychology graduates may work in human resources, marketing, public relations, and especially in human resource management, coaching, psychological counselling, and team development.

In addition to the aforementioned positions, employment opportunities are also available in other fields not specifically related to psychology, but requiring a broader social science education (e.g. politics, media, research, administration, etc.).

The programme also enables graduates to continue their education, primarily as an upgrade of their specialisation, by enrolling in third-cycle (doctoral) studies at Slovenian or foreign universities offering related or complementary fields of study, as well as professional training and research opportunities.

Explanatory notes to the section Employment opportunities of graduates and continuation of studies:

[1] Pedagogical-andragogical training (PAI): PAI is a professional development programme offered by the faculties of education at the universities of Primorska, Maribor, and Ljubljana. It comprises 60 ECTS credits and is completed within one academic year. Certain obligations completed during undergraduate or master’s studies may be recognised within the PAI programme, thereby reducing the number of credits a student must complete. Candidates who have completed at least a first-cycle (bachelor’s) degree may enrol in PAI.

[2] Graduates of Applied Psychology cannot be employed in the education sector due to inconsistencies in the legal framework governing education and training. In the relevant legislation for employment in education (e.g. school counselling services and teaching psychology in kindergartens, primary, and secondary schools), the required qualification refers to the name of the study programme – Psychology – rather than the professional title of the graduate (Master of Psychology). Although both programmes at the universities of Maribor and Ljubljana are named Psychology, the former Applied Psychology programme at the University of Primorska was the first psychology programme in Slovenia, from which graduates obtain the same professional title, but under a different programme name. UP FAMNIT submitted several formal initiatives to national authorities to align the legal framework, but in 2020 decided not to continue the process.

[3] Graduates of the Psychology programme (with the updated programme name) will be eligible for employment in education under the same conditions as graduates of any other Slovenian university offering a Psychology programme. In addition to the degree, completion of pedagogical-andragogical training is required in accordance with current legislation.

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