Education

What can you find on this webpage?

Our (future) students can find the official study programme and other useful info here.

You can find information about admission requirements, further studies and more practical info such as ECTS sheets, or a weekly timetable of the current academic year.

Are you a future student?

Be sure to first take a look at the page about the Master of Psychology: Theory and Research.

There you can find more info on:

- What’s the programme about?

- Starting profile

- Admission and application

- Future possibilities

- Why KU Leuven

- Contact

- ...

Objectives

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and insight

- Graduates have gained a thorough knowledge and an in-depth understanding of concepts, theories, empirical research and issues in the field of psychology and its subfields, as well as of the principles of ancillary/related sciences. They should be able to apply these insights in different contexts.
- Graduates have knowledge and understanding of a variety of advanced research methods and techniques, as well as a wide range of data analysis techniques in the domain of psychology. Graduates not only acquire theoretical knowledge and insights, but also the skills necessary to design, conduct and evaluate research.
- Graduates have advanced knowledge of and insight into both traditional and modern theories and research streams in the basic domains of psychological research.
- They have thorough knowledge of and insight into methodology and data analysis.

Applying knowledge and insight

- Graduates are able to synthesize the scientific literature and to formulate research questions and hypotheses on the basis of it.
- They are able to adequately plan and implement the different stages of the empirical cycle or research process, i.e. the formulation of research hypotheses, research design, data collection, analysis and interpretation. The graduates do so according to the ethical principles of responsible research.

Judgement formation

- The graduate is able to collect relevant data to address complex psychological problems and issues. They can interpret complex information from different perspectives and articulate a stance while taking into account the societal and ethical responsibilities inherent in the application of their own knowledge and judgments.
- Graduates can critically evaluate a research design and the different steps taken to arrive at conclusions in light of responsible research practices
- They can reflect on their own functioning, recognise their own strengths and weaknesses, and are willing to call on the expertise of others if necessary.

Communication

- Graduates can present and report on their research findings clearly and professionally, using appropriate academic style. They are able to apply APA standards.
- They are aware of the strengths and opportunities offered by the research field, but also of the limitations, uncertainty and ambiguity inherent in it.
- They treat scientific collaborators and participants in scientific research with respect and integrity.
- They can communicate research findings to a non-expert audience.
- They can work in a research team in a professional manner.

Learning skills

- Graduates can, autonomously and on his/her own initiative, critically follow international professional literature and developments in the field. On this basis, they can acquire lifelong skills as a graduated psychologist and have the attitude to permanently improve their knowledge and skills.
- They possess learning skills that enable them to enter into further studies of a largely self-directed or autonomous nature.


Educational aims

- Graduates act as a scientist, which means that their professional conduct is in accordance with recent and validated scientific findings.
- They have a professional attitude and personal maturity with an eye for diversity. They build up a professional and high-quality relationship with those involved in their psychological practice.
- Graduates must act in accordance with the ethical, legal and deontological aspects of psychological research and practice, and they must be able to formulate their own decisions and assess their implications.
- They can work independently as well as in a team in a multidisciplinary environment, and can give direction to this environment.

The faculty chooses high-quality and affordable educational material. To give an idea of the cost price of this programme, a list of general costs is given below. The description of these study costs are qualitative of nature because the costs are variable, depending on the purchasing preferences of each student:

Laptop

·         A laptop or computer is required for the entire programme (e.g. to consult Toledo), as well as for specific courses.

·         Students can also use the computers on campus.

Calculator

·         This programme requires students to work with Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS, TI-30XIIB, TI-30XS MultiView or TI-30XB MultiView.

·         A calculator is required (among other things) for the statistical courses.

General travel costs

·         Trips to the campus.

·         Transportation within the framework of the specific courses is possible.

Books and reader

·         From the start of the academic year onwards, you can buy a lot of readers at favourable prices via the book store (“Cudi”). Books and readers are also available at the ACCO bookstore.

·         The faculty's book store offers discounted prices (with membership card) and organizes an online second-hand book sale. 

Software

·         This programme makes use of R software (free).

·         The necessary licenses are also available on the computers in the faculty.

Printing materials

·         The estimated cost depends on the amount of material the student wishes to print (e.g. summaries, course material). Printing at the university libraries is possible.

On the webpage study materials on the student portal there is more information about study costs and what you need to participate in (online) education. Those experiencing financial or material difficulties can contact the KU Leuven Social Services or a student counsellor. The Social Services help students who have difficulties to bear their study costs. Students with limited financial resources can receive a grant for study materials (also for study trips, internships incl. transport costs), borrow a good laptop or get support in the search for a student job.

Educational quality of the study programme

Here you can find an overview of the results of the COBRA internal quality assurance method.

Educational quality at study programme level

Blueprint
Blueprint_MA_Psychology_Theory and Research.pdf

COBRA 2019-2023
COBRA report_MA_Psychology Theory and Research.pdf

Educational quality at university level

• Consult the documents on educational quality available at university level.

More information?

• More information on the educational quality at KU Leuven
• More information on the available documents