Study Psychology in Italy

About Psychology

Psychology has been considered as one of the most fascinating fields which fundamentally examines the way people think, feel and act. Psychologists observe every aspect of human consciousness, memory as well as the basic functions of the brain. Psychology is undoubtedly a challenging major however, it is also one of the most sought-after majors around the world. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in psychology, it is possible to be employed in various fields.  Students can study BA (Bachelor of Arts) in psychology or BS (Bachelor of Science) in psychology depending on the related university’s program. While BA programs open up career options in fields like criminal justice, law, business and journalism, BS graduates are generally qualified as psychiatric technicians, lab assistants, career counselors, and case workers.  

Study Psychology in Italy

This famous boot-shaped peninsula, which is encircled by the gorgeous Mediterranean Seas, is filled with options for studying psychology. Most of the options will be in bigger cities like Rome and Florence, however, you may also discover options in smaller locations throughout Italy. Specifically, in fields like cognitive science and behavior studies, students have the option of choosing external programs or enrolling directly in one of the numerous universities across the nation. 

Advantages of Study Psychology in Italy

There are some benefits of studying psychology in Italy. To begin with, for those who desire to study psychology abroad, Italy has become a fantastic choice over the years due to its high level of academic quality. Secondly, it is possible to study psychology in Italy in both Italian and English. For example, it is possible to obtain English-taught undergraduate and postgraduate psychology degrees in universities such as the University of Padua, Sapienza University and the University of Bologna if you wish. Lastly, Italy is known as one of the most affordable nations in Europe for studying abroad. 

Career Paths for Psychology Degree Majors

Psychology students can choose a variety of career paths. The most common ones are clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, guidance counselor, child and family psychologist, drug and alcohol counselor, career counselor, and community projects leader.

What Skills Do I Need to Become a Psychologist?

The most significant skills you need to have can be listed as:

1. Critical thinking
2. Inquiry
3. Gathering data and synthesizing it
4. Ability to work effectively in any kind of environment
5. Being tolerant and ethical

Is Psychology Right for Me?

There are some specifications if you would like to understand whether psychology is right for you or not. These specifications are being an empathetic and open-minded person, enjoying solving problems, being a good listener and paying attention to the smallest details. Moreover since psychology is among the competitive majors, patience and hard work will be needed. If you have these qualities, a psychology major is likely to be right for you.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychologist?

In Italy, undergraduate psychology programs take three years while completing a master’s degree generally takes two years.  

The Best Universities to Study Psychology in Italy

There are excellent universities to study psychology in Italy. The worldy recognized ones are University of Bologna, University of Padua and Sapienza University of Rome. 

1. University of Bologna: University of Bologna is a research university. Since it was established in 1088, the university is the oldest in the world. It was also the first university in the sense of an institution of higher learning and degree-granting. 
2. University of Padua (Università di Padova): As one of the oldest and most prominent universities in Europe, Università di Padova was founded in 1222. According to ANVUR's 2018 evaluation, it is also acknowledged that Padova is the best institution in Italy for teaching quality. Moreover, its significant and active international staff, student union, and alumni group are contributing to the advancement of the university's missions on a global scale.
3. Sapienza University of Rome: Sapienza is recognized as the biggest university in Europe, with over 700 years of history, more than 115,000 total students, 3,300 professors, along with 1,500+ staff members working in its university hospitals. Sapienza is ranked among the top Italian universities for research, educational quality, and international scope according to the most widely respected university rankings. 

Psychology Admission Requirement

For English programs, a minimum score of 6.0-6.5 from IELTS is required in order to be eligible. If you wish to study Italian, then some universities have their Italian language tests to see if you are sufficient in the language. Moreover, some universities for psychology courses might demand taking an admission test or SAT. It is important to note that the requirements may change depending on the university.