Morag Williamson
Sweden
Teaching of psychology in Sweden
Psychology in Sweden is first taught in upper secondary school for students aged 16-20 years. The subject has been a part of the national curriculum since it was launched in 1965. The latest and current revision was 2025 (Gy25). The basic Psychology Level 1 course is compulsory for students studying the social science program and the economy program and optional on other programs. Psychology is not specifically required for admission to Swedish universities.
The national curriculum offers:
- Psychology Level 1 (50p) – a first level basic course that includes topics such as psychology as a science, attention, memory, basic emotions, learning, conditioning, identity, group processes, mental health including prevention and risk factors.
- Psychology Level 2 (50p) – builds on Psychology Level 1 and includes topics such as psychology as a science, perception and cognitive processes, emotions and their biological basis, stress and stress management and crisis and crisis management, human behaviour, including control and addiction, norms and prejudices and how they can affect human relationships, mental health and interaction between heredity and environment and human mental health and social and individual factors in an individual’s psychological development and living conditions.
- Psychology Level 3 (100p) – builds on Psychology Level 1 and 2 and includes topics such as relationships between emotions, thoughts, feelings, biological factors and behaviours and how they can influence each other, different explanatory models of human behaviour and the social person in a changing and multicultural society, including identity, personality and psychological development in relation to social interaction. Also, mental health, mental disorder, mental illness and how mental health problems can be prevented and treated.
- Psychology – specialisation (100p) – an advanced psychology course that builds on previous studies in psychology, at least Psychology Level 1, includes general psychology history and psychological theories of choice.
- Applied Psychology (100p) – an optional stand-alone course in applied psychology focusing on the specific interest of the upper secondary school program, e.g. sport psychology, forensic psychology, economic psychology.
On average students have two hours of psychology a week for one or two semesters per course, which is equivalent to half of the school year. Many teaching methods are used including experiments and observations, depending on the teacher and the conditions at the school.
A number of schools in Sweden also have the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) that includes psychology.
Teacher Education
To teach psychology in upper secondary school one needs to be a certified teacher in psychology (M. Ed.), but there are exceptions when other teachers also teach psychology although it is not in their subject qualification.
Association for the Teaching of Psychology, Sweden
At present there is no national association for psychology teachers, although there was one between 1943 and 2011 (Filosofi- och psykologilärarnas förening, FPF).
Slovenia
Teaching of psychology in Slovenia
Psychology is a mandatory subject in general education and technical education (70 hours/year). It is an external examination subject for the Matura (280 hours/year). The psychology curriculum is prescribed by the Ministry of Education, and curriculum development is led by the National Education Institute of Slovenia. Psychology is one of the most popular elective subjects, and psychology teachers must hold a Master’s degree in psychology.
In psychology learning students will:
- Acquire fundamental psychological concepts and principles
- Connect theoretical psychological knowledge with everyday experiences and situations
- Develop the ability to critically assess the results of scientific research
- Cultivate self-reflection and the ability to change oneself and one’s behaviour
- Enhance interpersonal skills, learn effective communication, collaboration, and the cultivation of good quality responsible relationships
- Foster awareness to maintain individual psychological well-being
As for assessment in psychology, students carry out oral and written assessments, public speaking performance, authentic tasks, seminar assignments, etc.
Slovakia
Teaching of psychology in Slovakia
In Slovak secondary schools, the fundamentals of psychology are incorporated into other subjects. Students aged 11 to 19 receive a compulsory introductory overview of psychology, typically covering 10 to 20 hours of instruction as part of the compulsory Citizenship Education curriculum. This subject encompasses key concepts from sociology, psychology, economics, law, and philosophy. It is taught both in lower secondary education (for students aged 11 to 15) and upper secondary education (for students aged 15 to 19).
Some grammar schools offer psychology as an elective subject. These general upper-secondary schools (grammar schools) may provide a standalone psychology course, typically lasting one or two years, with the option to sit for a final exam in psychology (maturita) —similar to the A-levels. However, this option is available in only a minority of schools, with approximately 25% of grammar schools in Slovakia offering psychology as an elective subject. The curriculum for the final examination is set by national authorities (see below).
In vocational upper-secondary schools, psychology is taught as a compulsory subject in selected study programmes (e.g., health care, social, or education studies). Other vocational schools usually teach psychology only as an optional subject. There around 50 different psychology courses available in vocational education.
Qualification requirements of psychology teachers in upper-secondary schools
- Bachelor and Master (5 years of training) in teacher studies (teacher training) for psychology teachers. Full teacher training for psychology teachers is currently available at two universities (University of Matej Bell in Banská Bystrica and University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra)
OR
- Bachelor and Master (5 years of training) in Psychology and additional 2-years study programme in teacher studies (currently available at the Faculty of Arts, Comenius University Bratislava).
Psychology Teachers in Slovakia
There are approximately 700 psychology teachers in Slovakia. The Slovak Association for the Teaching of Psychology (Slovenská asociácia pre učiteľstvo psychológie) was active from 2013 to 2023. Since then, an informal network of secondary school psychology teachers and teacher educators has been established with the aim of enhancing the quality of psychology education, supporting educators, students, and researchers, and fostering collaboration among schools and institutions. Slovak psychology teachers have their representation at the EFPTA board since 2008.
Document Downloads
Psychology courses and study programmes in ISCED levels.
Documents
Scotland
Psychology education at pre-university level in Scotland
Scotland has its own education system, which is historically different from the rest of the UK. Most students aged 15-18 years in high schools and colleges study a broad range of subjects. The qualification for university entrance is the Scottish “NQ Higher”, and 3 – 5 Highers are normally required. Higher Psychology is widely taught, mainly to students aged 16-18 years, and younger students (14-16 years) can also study psychology for national qualifications. Around 3,500 students take Higher Psychology each year, and there has been consistent growth in popularity of the subject since it started in 1999.
In colleges, “HN” courses are also provided, which are popular with mature students and have a more applied, vocational emphasis; these also enable progression to university, or to further professional training or employment. The HN in Social Science includes a strong element of Psychology.
Association for the Teaching of Psychology, Scotland (ATPS)
Web: https://www.theatp.uk/atp-scotland
The ATPS is the Scottish branch of the UK Association for the Teaching of Psychology (ATP). Scotland has a long and illustrious history of the study of human behaviour and experience, including most notably David Hume’s “Treatise of Human Nature” in the 1730s. Following the introduction of Psychology courses in Scottish high schools and colleges, the ATPS was established in 2001 as a branch of the ATP.
In Scotland we have approximately 40 members, who are school teachers and college lecturers from as far afield as the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, the south-west and Borders, as well as from the main centres of population – Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
ATPS holds a one-day CPD event every year, usually in February, and all EFPTA association members are welcome to attend It is organised by the ATPS team which has a representative on the ATP (UK) committee. The last in-person CPD event was held in March 2024, in Glasgow. We were also able to hold an in person event in February 2020 just before the covid pandemic; events in 2021 and 2022 were held online. These events are usually held in collaboration with the British Psychological Society (Scotland), which is the psychologists’ professional association in the UK.
Netherlands
Psychologie in het Onderwijs / Psychology in Education
Despite the fact that education is already becoming more diverse, psychology is still missing from the school curriculum in the Netherlands. With the project Psychology in Education we are developing a change. We provide modules, workshops and training sessions at secondary schools and vocational schools to increase the mental well-being and awareness of students and teachers. In an accessible and personal way, Psychology in Education makes students aware of their own behaviour and beliefs, and their influence on themselves and their environment. In addition, awareness is created about the influence that the environment has on their behaviour and beliefs. In this way students learn to walk their own path with confidence and with compassion for themselves and others, without hindering themselves.
Elective modules
Through elective modules in psychology, we aim to give students the opportunity to access basic psychology knowledge.
The goal: greater awareness of thoughts, feelings and behaviour, so that students become more critical and kind, both towards themselves and towards others. If you understand what influences someone’s behaviour, you can better understand both others and yourself. This allows you to make more authentic choices and look at yourself and the people around you with more gentleness.
1. Social psychology module
After taking this module:
- Students are aware of common thinking errors, leading them to question their beliefs
- Understand how prejudice and group behaviour arise and how to guard against them
- Students understand how our environment affects our behaviour and identity
- Have more compassion for themselves and others!
2. Positive psychology module
After taking this module:
- Students know what factors influence your happiness
- Students understand that setbacks are part of life
- Students know that thoughts are not truths and how to influence them
- Students have the tools to apply the insights to their own lives.
Workshops
We want to give students (and teachers) tools on the mental level, so that they can get through this time in the best possible way. This way we ensure that students go to school with more motivation, relaxation and connection!
For this reason we offer workshops in which we talk to students about:
- Motivation and Goals
- Focus
- Mindset and Mental Well-being
- Connection with self and others.
Iceland
Teaching of psychology in Iceland
Psychology is first taught in upper-secondary schools for students aged 16–20 years. The curriculum for psychology teaching is prescribed by the Ministry for Education.
Qualification of teachers in upper-secondary schools: the minimum requirement of psychology education is a B.A. degree or equivalent and then a two year M.Ed. in Teaching Studies.
Courses offered in the national curriculum:
- PSY 103 General psychology
- PSY 203 Developmental psychology
- PSY 213 Biological psychology
- PSY 303 Abnormal psychology
- PSY 313 Disability, trauma and aging
- PSY 403 Personality and social psychology
The most common class size is 20 – 30 students. On average students spend around 4 hours a week studying psychology and each term is about 15 weeks. Many different teaching methods are used, including lectures, practical exercises, cooperative learning and laboratory work. Conditions vary between schools.
Psychology is a quite popular subject in upper-secondary schools in Iceland but usually it is not a mandatory subject for all students. Most often though it is mandatory in study programmes specially designed for those preparing for social sciences at university.
The International Baccalaureate Program (IB) is taught in English at Hamrahlid College. It consists of a preparatory year plus two years diploma studies where psychology is one of the Group 3 subjects.
The national association for psychology teachers (and teachers of pedagogy) is called Samtök sálfræði- og uppeldisfræðikennara.
Germany
Teaching of psychology in Germany
The German Association was founded in 1978 in Northrhine-Westfalia in order to represent the interests of high school teachers in this state* where the subject was newly established. In 1983 it was extended to the whole area of West Germany, (vocational schools included) and in 1991 activities were extended to the former German Democratic Republic so that it is now a general association open to all psychology teachers in Germany. In 2010 there were 735 members.
* Germany is made up of 16 States, or “Länder”.
Aims and activities:
- representation of the interests of psychology teachers in state institutions (educational boards, etc)
- development of curricula and standards
- activities to establish psychology as a school subject in more schools or States
- exchange of teaching experience
- exchange of teaching material, e. g. development of material for special teaching units and organization of a mail order service for members
- publication of our magazine at least once a year
- organization of our annual meeting usually in form of a conference on a theme relevant for teaching, with seminars or lectures held by experts, university staff etc. (e.g. New Aspects of Developmental Psychology, Health Psychology, etc.)
- issues of staff training and development
- development and up-dating of a website as a communicative platform for our association: www.psychologielehrer.de
- international contacts
Psychology as a regular school subject
The conditions for psychology as a regular school subject vary from State to State: most provide the subject at upper secondary level only (age 17-19), and Sachsen-Anhalt is so far the only State where psychology is taught both at lower secondary level (age 14-15) and upper secondary level. In some States it is taught in a 2-semester course (two lessons a week), and in others, a 4 semester course (4 lessons a week) leading to the Abitur.
A few states do not yet offer psychology at all (e.g. Sachsen, Hessen, Niedersachsen, Schleswig-Holstein, Rheinlandpfalz, Saarland).
Teaching qualification
Only a few universities offer teacher-training in psychology as a school subject, but it is required if psychology is taught as a 4-semester course leading to the Abitur.
Often teachers of other subjects also teach psychology, in some of the States they can obtain further qualification courses for the subject.
Renate Schrempf
The German Psychology Teachers’ Association (GPTA) – Verband der Psychologielehrerinnen und -lehrer
Finland
Teaching of psychology in Finland
Psychology has been a subject in upper secondary schools from the Second World War. It was called soulscience for many decades. In the seventies we started to call it psychology. Initially it was offered in schools as an alternative to biology. When biology became a compulsory subject students had the opportunity to study both biology and psychology.
Our students are from 16 to 20 years old. About 80 % of this age group want to study psychology. There are a minimum of five courses in each school. Besides that there usually are from one to three extra courses in many schools. Students can choose from one to five courses and as many extra courses as there are.
Our association had to persuade politicians and the government over a period of ten years to get psychology as a compulsory subject. Since 2005 every student has studied at least one course of psychology. It is very important because every boy and girl can now understand a little bit about human behaviour.
Many students want to study psychology in university. This is because psychology is such a popular subject in upper secondary schools. Students discover a fascinating subject. They can apply the psychology of learning to their own school experience, they can learn important things about mental health, and some understanding of developmental psychology is likely to be invaluable to them in their lives after graduation.
Association for the Teaching of Psychology, Finland
Web: http://www.psop.fi
England and Wales
Teaching of psychology in England and Wales
In England and Wales, Psychology is one of the most popular subjects at A-level (16-19 year-olds): over 75,000 students per year have gained A-level Psychology in recent years. Psychology is becoming more commonly taught at GCSE level too (14-16 year-olds).
A-levels are required for admission to university, and normally consist of two years’ study designed to give students a broad introduction to the main approaches and topics in psychology. Teachers are encouraged to give students the opportunity to carry out their own research investigations but at present the external assessment for A-level does not include assessed research reports.
In England and Wales psychology is classified as a science subject and this has raised implications for staffing in many schools and colleges. There is a shortage of qualified teachers of psychology throughout the UK. At the Association for the Teaching of Psychology (ATP) we are pursuing this issue with urgency, supported by the British Psychological Society, but as things stand it means that many psychology teaching posts are often filled with non-specialists. Some are highly skilled teachers with more than adequate subject knowledge, and ATP supports all psychology teachers, regardless of qualifications, however there is understandable concern among psychologists about the teaching of psychology by those without psychology training. Other European countries appear to be experiencing similar problems, so perhaps this is one important issue that EFPTA might address.
Further information on 16-19 education and qualifications in England and Wales, see the ‘Useful websites’ below.
Association for the Teaching of Psychology, UK
The ATP has around 600 members. Our annual conference is held in the first week of July, and all members of EFPTA associations are welcome to attend (see https://www.theatp.uk/)
ATP Scotland is represented separately in EFPTA because the system of education is different from that in England and Wales (see “Scotland” on the links).