Current studies estimate that around 700,000 people in Austria have a need for and are also willing to undergo psychotherapeutic treatment. However, only just under 200,000 people were able to be provided with fully or partially funded places in 2022. One reason for this is that there are around 10,000 active psychotherapists in Austria, around a third of whom are already over 65 years old. Current studies therefore show that psychotherapeutic care in Austria is not meeting demand.
The modernisation of qualifications is intended to remedy this situation. Until now, this has been organised exclusively by private associations. From 2026, universities will take over part of the training. In Graz, the Master's programme in Psychotherapy is offered in cooperation between the University of Graz and the Medical University of Graz – with scientific depth and practical relevance.
Registration for the admission procedure for the premiere of the Master's programme in Psychotherapy starts on 2 March and is open until 7 April. As part of the application process, candidates must complete an online self-assessment and pay a fee of 110 euros. The admission test will take place on 6 July 2026 in Graz.
Requirements
Psychotherapy is interdisciplinary, and this is reflected in the admission requirements. Therefore, individuals who have completed relevant bachelor's degree programmes or relevant training at bachelor's level are eligible for admission to the master's programme. A general university entrance qualification (Matura) is also a prerequisite for admission.
Details on the various educational backgrounds can be found here: Requirements
Hotspot for psychotherapy
With the introduction of the Master's programme, Graz is becoming a hotspot for psychotherapy. Of the 500 places available throughout Austria for the Master's programme in psychotherapy, more than a quarter (specifically: 140) are offered in the Styrian capital. The two universities focus on their respective strengths in their training programmes.
At the Medical University of Graz, students learn the medical basics and gain insight into practical work in a clinical setting. Specialisation in psychoanalysis and psychodynamic approaches also takes place here. At the University of Graz, prospective psychotherapists learn about the psychological aspects of the profession and can specialise in humanistic, systemic or behavioural therapy approaches. At the newly founded Centre for Psychotherapy, they can gain practical experience in psychotherapeutic treatment.
"The first-ever academic anchoring of psychotherapy studies in Austria is an important step for quality and care. Thanks to the close cooperation between the University of Graz and the Medical University of Graz and the connection to the teaching hospitals of the Medical University of Graz, we can contribute our many years of expertise and ensure that theory and practice are closely interlinked from the outset," says Erwin Petek, Vice-Rector for Studies and Teaching at the Medical University of Graz.
Cathrine Walter-Laager, Vice-Rector for Studies and Teaching at the University of Graz, adds: "With the joint Master's programme in psychotherapy offered by the University of Graz and the Medical University of Graz, we are making Graz the stronghold of psychotherapy training in Austria. By combining the core competencies of the University of Graz on the one hand and the Medical University on the other, students receive top-level training and make a significant contribution to psychosocial care in Austria."
The Master's programme is followed by a third stage of training in cluster-specific procedures at specialised training institutions.
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