Undergraduate programme in Psychology

Duration: 3 years
Starts in: October
Number of ECTS credits: 180
Degree Title: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Accreditation
The Slovenian National Awarding Committee for the EuroPsy Certificate has recognised the first-cycle Psychology programme of the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, as compliant with the standards for the education of psychologists. Together with the completed second-cycle Psychology programme, the degree enables graduates to obtain EuroPsy – the European Certificate in Psychology.

A publication containing the information listed below, including the curriculum and short course descriptions, is available here.

The latest versions of the course syllabi for the Undergraduate Programme in Psychology (Slovene and English version run in parallel) can be found here.

More detailed information on the aims of the programme and the competences it develops can be found here.

Programme aims
The Undergraduate Study Programme in Psychology:

• equips students with fundamental knowledge and skills in core and applied psychological disciplines as well as related fields,
• introduces them to key theories, methods, and research approaches in psychology,
• develops essential psychological skills and abilities needed for further study and professional development.

A first-cycle graduate is qualified to perform basic tasks in the field of social science professional work. Under appropriate supervision, they may apply psychological knowledge in various areas of human activity and interpersonal relations, and collaborate with other professionals. Their work is grounded in psychological science, ethical principles, and personal maturity, and is oriented toward the well-being of individuals, groups, and society.

General competences
(For a more detailed description, see the official prospectus.)

Graduates will develop:

• analytical and critical thinking, synthesis, and solution forecasting,
• scientific reasoning, methodological application, and academic writing,
• (self-)critical judgment and reflection,
• application of knowledge in practice,
• information literacy and the use of ICT,
• communication and social skills, teamwork, and working in international contexts,
• ability to manage projects and to direct one’s own professional development,
• independence, initiative, ethical reflection, and commitment to universal ethical principles.

Subject-specific competences
(For a more detailed description, see the official prospectus.)

Through their studies, students develop and nurture:

• understanding of the general structure of psychology and the interconnections between its disciplines,
• mastery of fundamental concepts, research, and applied methods in various fields of psychology,
• knowledge of the history and major theories of psychology,
• ability to read and understand psychological literature independently,
• ability to solve practical psychological problems using critical analysis, scientific methods, and procedures,
• knowledge of the basics of psychological measurement, diagnostics, and counselling,
• application of quantitative and qualitative methods,
• understanding of basic statistics and social science research,
• social competences for work in diverse social contexts (within and for society),
• sensitivity to the psychological aspects of social issues, and understanding of individual, group, and cultural differences,
• commitment to professional ethics in psychology.

Graduates can work in:

• the state administration (different ministries and their offices – e.g., Education Development Office, Office of Youth) and government offices (e.g., Ombudsman)
• non-governmental organizations
• institutions and offices of the European Union
• economy and private sector, especially at departments for marketing, personnel services and developmental departments of companies, in market-research agencies
• journalism
• social welfare (depending on the field regulations)

Graduates have competences in the field of organisation and general psychological counselling and in organisation of work, organisation and management of developmental projects, professional counselling, marketing (planning and performing market research, collecting and analysing data, interpreting data), conducting interviews, in public relations, publishing and media (e.g. as editors, counsellors on preparing media-shows – e.g. for children). They can perform motivational training, work in specific educational care activities, conduct workshops for youth, work on help-lines and with refugees.

The anticipated number of admission places is 90 for full-time study. A part-time option is not offered. The exact number of places is determined annually and published in the official Call for Enrolment for the following academic year.

Eligible for admission are those:

1. that have passed the upper secondary-school leaving exam (matura),

2. that completed any four-year secondary school programme prior to 1 June 1995,

3.  with an equivalent education abroad.

If the number of application exceeds the number of places available, the University’s admissions office shall rank applicants according to the following criteria:

• Overall score in the leaving exam - 60%
• Grade average in years 3 and 4 - 40%

All candidates must demonstrate Slovene language proficiency at level B2 (CEFR) with appropriate certification. Acceptable proof includes:

• a certificate of a Slovene language exam at B2 level (or equivalent),
• certificate of completion of primary or secondary education in Slovene,
• matura certificate including Slovene,
• certificate of bilingual (Slovene and foreign language) secondary education,
• diploma from a Slovenian higher education institution with a statement confirming that the programme was completed in Slovene.

Transfer to the university-level undergraduate programme of psychology is possible:

1) From any university-level undergraduate programmes or programmes of professional higher education within the University of Ljubljana:

• The candidate must satisfy admission requirements for the first year of the university-level undergraduate programme of psychology.
• The Senate of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ljubljana decides on the possibility of transfer to the proposed academic programme and must determine whether the candidate fulfils the requirements for transfer.
• According to the opinion issued by the Department of Psychology, the Senate of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ljubljana determines the candidate’s obligations (from the list of basic courses of the university-level undergraduate programme of psychology, in total of 10-60 ECTS points) that need to be fulfilled as well as the year in which they may enrol.

2) From other universities:

• To transfer to the university-level undergraduate programme of psychology, the candidate must satisfy the admission requirements for the following year of the undergraduate programme where they are currently enrolled into.
• The candidate must satisfy admission requirements for the first year of the university-level undergraduate programme of psychology.
• The Senate of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ljubljana decides on the possibility of the transfer to the proposed academic programme and must determine whether the candidate fulfils the requirements for the transfer.
• According to the opinion issued by the Department of Psychology, the Senate of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ljubljana determines the candidate’s obligations (from the list of basic courses of the university-level undergraduate programme of psychology, in total of 10-60 ECTS points) that need to be fulfilled as well as the year in which they may enrol.

The Faculty of Arts may recognise the obtained knowledge, qualifications or capabilities which suit completely or partly the content and level of general or subject-specific competences which are defined within particular study programmes.

Knowledge, qualifications or capabilities gained with formal, informal or experiental learning are acknowledged. In the process of recognition, the following is considered:

• certifications and other documents (atypical certifications, documents of courses completed and other forms of education)
• products, services, publications and other copyrighted products
• knowledge gained with self-education and experiential learning
• adequate working experience.

The recognized knowledge, qualifications and abilities may be allocated credits according to ECTS criteria for credit allocation of study programmes and may be recognized as a finished study obligation (e.g., as a part of exams, midterm exams etc. – without participation in lectures, exercises or seminars).

With the usual procedure, the Faculty of Arts handles each application for the recognition of informally acquired knowledge individually. The application should be submitted to the Student Office. It is then forwarded to the Department of Psychology which proposes the allocation of ECTS credits. The basic criterion for the recognition is comparability of the knowledge and competenced acquired informally with the content and competences developed by the undergraduate study programme of psychology. The final decision on the student application is made by the Faculty Committee for Student Affairs.

To proceed to the second year of the postgraduate study programme, students must complete at least 90% of the prescribed ECTS (i.e. 54 out of 60 ECTS per year).

In exceptional cases (Article 153 of the Statute of the University of Ljubljana), students who complete at least 85% of requirements (51 ECTS) may be allowed to advance upon approved petition. The Committee for Student Affairs decides, after consulting the Department. Any missing obligations must be completed before enrolment in the following year.

Students who do not meet the requirements for progression may repeat one year during their studies, provided they meet the conditions defined by the programme. To repeat a year of the Master’s in Psychology, students must have completed at least 30 ECTS (50%) of the obligations of that year.

To complete the programme, students must fulfil all of the requirements defined by the curriculum, amounting to 180 ECTS.

Students’ knowledge is examined and assessed by individual courses, therefore the learning process at every course ends with the final examination of knowledge and skills acquired.

The examination system is in accordance with the Statute of the University of Ljubljana and the Rules on taking examinations of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ljubljana. Knowledge can be assessed by: oral and written examination, midterm examinations, essays or seminar papers and other written tasks, practical tasks or products, project works, and reports on completed practical training.

Grading scale:

• 10 – excellent: exceptional results with minor mistakes,
• 9 - very good: above-average knowledge, however with some mistakes,
• 8 - very good: good results,
• 7 – good: good knowledge, however with some major mistakes,
• 6 – sufficient: knowledge meets the minimum requirements,
• 5 to 1 – insufficient: knowledge does not meet the minimum requirements.

Internal electives
Students may choose from 14 specialist electives offered. In the fourth semester, they choose two and in the sixth semester one of the offered courses.

External electives
Students may complete 3 courses (9 ECTS points, i.e., 5 % of all the ECTS points in the programme) offered by another study programmes at the Faculty of Arts or at the other faculties of the University of Ljubljana.

Mobility
Students are allowed to transfer 30 ECTS points of the programme (a semester of studies, regardless of obligatory courses or electives) from any kind of psychology programmes that are carried out at respected European universities in accordance with the Bologna Declaration.