Austria launches public university master's in psychotherapy

Austria is launching a new, publicly funded master's program in psychotherapy at public universities to improve access to mental healthcare and reduce training costs. For the 2026/27 winter semester, 500 study places have been made available, drawing approximately 1,300 applicants.

The new academic structure follows the Psychotherapy Act of 2024 and establishes psychotherapy as an independent scientific discipline. The training follows a three-tiered model: a qualifying educational phase, a two-year master's program involving 120 ECTS credits, and a subsequent postgraduate practical training phase under supervision.

Previously, psychotherapy training in Austria was primarily conducted through expensive private institutions or private universities, often costing students tens of thousands of euros. By integrating the master's level into the public university system, the government aims to ensure that high-quality training is not dependent on personal wealth. While the 500 new places are a significant step, the Austrian Federal Association for Psychotherapy (ÖBVP) suggests that the number of available positions may need to double in the medium term to meet rising demand and address a wave of retirements in the profession.