Objectives and competences

The master's degree in Psychosocial Intervention is offered jointly by the University of Barcelona and the University of Girona, and coordinated by the UB. It also boasts the participation of teachers from Rovira i Virgili University.

The master's degree offers a professional pathway, which provides initial exposure to professional practice in psychosocial intervention, and a research pathway, through which students are able to take their first steps in research in this field. Successful completion of the programme also enables students to access doctoral studies.

The course examines the ideas, skills and abilities required to be able to apply psychosocial knowledge and tools to increasing the quality of life and social welfare of individuals, groups and communities in different areas of development and to improving people's relationships with their contexts and social system of reference. This specialized training also fosters the ability to promote dynamics of social change in the frameworks of social welfare and judicial systems in democratic states and societies and the services and communities within these systems.

Basic information

TypeMaster's degree
Faculty or schoolFaculty of Psychology
Branch of knowledge
  • Behavioural sciences and psychology
  • Social sciences, social work, industrial relations and human resources, sociology, political science and international relations
Mode of delivery
  • Face-to-face
Credits90
Number of places available30
Length of course2 academic years
Language(s) of instructionCatalan and Spanish
Approximate price per credit27.67 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2023-2024
CoordinationSERGI VALERA PERTEGAS
E-mailsuport_mastermips@ub.edu
Course detailsIndicators
Open pre-enrolmentYes
Open enrolmentNo
Lead to doctoral studiesYes
Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualificationNo
InteruniversityYes
Main universityUniversitat Barcelona
Universities
  • Universitat Barcelona
  • Universitat Girona
Bridging coursesYes
Specializations
  • Professional in Psychosocial Intervention
  • Research in Psychosocial Intervention

Objectives and competences

Objectives

The master's degree in Psychosocial Intervention is designed to train professionals skilled in psychosocial intervention or basic and applied social psychology research. The course is structured around an overtly psychosocial approach to the analysis of society and community, enabling students to develop and consolidate a specialization in social psychology. It also provides the specific, systematically structured training that has long been called for by psychologists, social policymakers and social organizations operating in the field of social intervention. Finally, the course fosters the continued acquisition of the scientific and technical knowledge that forms the basis of social psychology, in particular psychosocial intervention, and contributes to consolidating the status of this field and all those involved in psychosocial intervention and research.

Competences

General competences:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
  • Evaluate the scientific evidence supporting claims and procedures specific to the profession.
  • Display a respect for human diversity.
  • Display a commitment to ethical practice in professional activities.
  • Develop the ability for critical and analytical reasoning.
  • Display the interpersonal skills to work in cross-disciplinary and/or multicultural teams.
  • Apply information and communication technologies to academic, professional and research activities.


Specific competences:
Successful students will also be able to:
  • Identify the psychosocial demands and needs of individuals, groups and communities, and use this knowledge to prevent or solve specific problems.
  • Design, evaluate and adapt services according to demand and the context in which they are to be applied.
  • Develop and implement intervention procedures and techniques based on the knowledge and methods of psychology.
  • Analyse results and assess the progress of a psychosocial intervention and, where necessary, redefine objectives.
  • Choose the most appropriate research methods for a given problem.
  • Analyse and interpret data from a theoretical and practical perspective in the context of social psychology and intervention.
  • Show flexibility, respect and discretion in the communication and use of information obtained from studies and psychological research on individuals, groups and communities.

Access and admission

Applicant profile and access requirements

Recommended applicant profile

The degree is primarily addressed to candidates with an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in psychology, but is also open to those with a background in sociology, anthropology, humanities and other social sciences. Candidates must also have a good level of comprehension of Spanish and Catalan, should be able to read scientific texts in English, and must have the interpersonal skills required to receive training in the field of psychosocial intervention.
The course is equally suitable for recent graduates and current professionals in any applied area of social intervention or in research in the discipline.

Access requirements and conditions

General requirements
In accordance with Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, students wishing to be admitted to a university master's degree must hold one of the following qualifications:

  • Official Spanish university degree.

  • A degree issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area framework that authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue.

  • A qualification issued by an institution outside the framework of the European Higher Education Area. In this case, applicants must request homologation of the degree to its equivalent official Spanish university qualification or obtain express approval from the University of Barcelona, which will conduct a study of equivalence to ensure that the degree is of a comparable level to an official Spanish university qualification and that it grants access to university master's degree study in the country of issue. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master's degree and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.

Specific requirements
Candidates who do not have the required academic profile may be asked to complete a series of bridging subjects.
Where candidates do meet the admission requirements, the selection criteria specified below will be taken into account.

Pre-enrolment

Calendar

First period: 4 March - 12 April 2024.
Notification of resolutions: 22 - 28 April.

Second period: 17 April - 28 June 2024.
Notification of resolutions: 8-14 July.

Notes:

  • Pre-enrolment fee: A pre-enrolment fee of 30,21 euros is charged. Students who apply to more than one master's degree must pay the fee for each pre-enrolment request. Pre-enrolment requests cannot be processed until this fee has been paid.Fees will only be refunded if the master's degree in question is suspended.
  • Reserved places: A maximum of 5% of the new places of the master's degree are reserved for students who meet the general and specific access requirements and accredit the recognition of a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%.

Required documentation

  • Pre-enrolment application
  • Photocopy of degree certificate or equivalent qualification. In case of admission, foreign degrees that require so should be translated and authenticated through diplomatic channels before completing the enrolment.
  • Other specific documentation related to the selection criteria

Selection criteria

  • Experience (30%): training, academic record, courses and conferences attended, research activity, professional experience in the psychosocial field.
  • Suitability to the chosen specialization (30%): research or professional.
  • Level of interest in the field of ​​psychosocial intervention (25%): work or voluntary activities carried out in specific areas of social intervention.
  • Proficiency in Spanish (15%): basic reading and writing.
  • Basic understanding of Catalan (15%): students who are not resident in Catalonia at the time of applying will be given basic language training during the first four months of the course.
  • Ability to understand scientific texts written in English (15%): basic reading.

Notification

Enrolment

As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned

Course curriculum

Subjects and course plans

Distribution of credits

Type ECTS
Compulsory 20
Optional 60
Compulsory placements 0
Compulsory final project 10
TOTAL 90

List of subjects

Subject Type Language Credits
Specialization: BC for admission to the Master's Degree in Psychosocial Intervention
Social Psychology Optional 1st semester 6
Statistics Optional 1st semester 6

Bridging courses

Subject Type Language Credits
Specialization: Professional in Psychosocial Intervention
Childhood and Adolescence in Social Risk: Evaluation and Modes of Intervention Optional 1st semester 5
Crisis and Emergencies: Psychosocial Processes, Intervention and Evaluation Optional 1st semester 5
Culture and Migration: Theory and Intervention Optional 2nd semester 5
Epistemological Pluralism and Research Design in Social Psychology Optional 1st semester 2.5
Families and Social Risk: Techniques and Strategies for Prevention and Assistance Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Feminist Social Theory, New Identities and Psychology Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Final Project Compulsory 1st semester
2nd semester
10
Gender Violence: Opposition and Liberation Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Group Processes, Changes and Effectiveness Optional 1st semester 2.5
Group Techniques in Social Problems and Health Optional 2nd semester 5
Group Techniques in Training and Organizations Optional 1st semester 2.5
Interpretive Paradigm: Empirical Research Techniques and Validity Criteria Optional 2nd semester 5
Intervention Procedures and Psychosocial and Community Assessment Optional 1st semester 5
Management of Time, Leisure and Free Time Optional 2nd semester 5
Methodology and Techniques for the Planning, Management and Evaluation of Social Services Optional 1st semester 5
Placements: Professional Specialization Optional 1st semester
2nd semester
7.5
Positivist Paradigm: Qualitative Methods and Multivariate Analysis Techniques Optional 2nd semester 5
Psychological and Social Well-Being and Quality of Life Compulsory 1st semester 5
Psychological and Social Well-Being and Quality of Life in Childhood and Adolescence Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Psychological Violence Optional 1st semester 5
Psychosocial Intervention and Practice Compulsory 1st semester 5
Psychosocial Intervention in Today's World Compulsory 1st semester 5
Psychosociology of Social Communication Optional 2nd semester 5
Research Placement in Social Psychology and Psychosocial Intervention Optional 1st semester
2nd semester
7.5
Responsibility in Ecological Activity and Environmental Management Optional 2nd semester 5
Self and Identity Optional 1st semester 2.5
Social Behavior and Constructed Environments Optional 1st semester 5
Social Change: Representations and Evaluation Compulsory 1st semester 5
Social Inclusion and Exclusion: Theory and Intervention Optional 1st semester 5
Techniques and Intervention Tools for Psychosocial and Community Assessment Optional 1st semester 5
The Gender Perspective in Psychosocial Intervention Optional 1st semester 5
Workshop on Scientific Communication and Advances in Documentation Optional 1st semester
2nd semester
2.5
Workshop on Scientific Communication and Assessment Indicators Optional 1st semester
2nd semester
2.5
Specialization: Research in Psychosocial Intervention
Childhood and Adolescence in Social Risk: Evaluation and Modes of Intervention Optional 1st semester 5
Crisis and Emergencies: Psychosocial Processes, Intervention and Evaluation Optional 1st semester 5
Culture and Migration: Theory and Intervention Optional 2nd semester 5
Epistemological Pluralism and Research Design in Social Psychology Optional 1st semester 2.5
Families and Social Risk: Techniques and Strategies for Prevention and Assistance Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Feminist Social Theory, New Identities and Psychology Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Final Project Compulsory 1st semester
2nd semester
10
Gender Violence: Opposition and Liberation Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Group Processes, Changes and Effectiveness Optional 1st semester 2.5
Group Techniques in Social Problems and Health Optional 2nd semester 5
Group Techniques in Training and Organizations Optional 1st semester 2.5
Interpretive Paradigm: Empirical Research Techniques and Validity Criteria Optional 2nd semester 5
Intervention Procedures and Psychosocial and Community Assessment Optional 1st semester 5
Management of Time, Leisure and Free Time Optional 2nd semester 5
Methodology and Techniques for the Planning, Management and Evaluation of Social Services Optional 1st semester 5
Placements: Professional Specialization Optional 1st semester
2nd semester
7.5
Positivist Paradigm: Qualitative Methods and Multivariate Analysis Techniques Optional 2nd semester 5
Psychological and Social Well-Being and Quality of Life Compulsory 1st semester 5
Psychological and Social Well-Being and Quality of Life in Childhood and Adolescence Optional 2nd semester 2.5
Psychological Violence Optional 1st semester 5
Psychosocial Intervention and Practice Compulsory 1st semester 5
Psychosocial Intervention in Today's World Compulsory 1st semester 5
Psychosociology of Social Communication Optional 2nd semester 5
Research Placement in Social Psychology and Psychosocial Intervention Optional 1st semester
2nd semester
7.5
Responsibility in Ecological Activity and Environmental Management Optional 2nd semester 5
Self and Identity Optional 1st semester 2.5
Social Behavior and Constructed Environments Optional 1st semester 5
Social Change: Representations and Evaluation Compulsory 1st semester 5
Social Inclusion and Exclusion: Theory and Intervention Optional 1st semester 5
Techniques and Intervention Tools for Psychosocial and Community Assessment Optional 1st semester 5
The Gender Perspective in Psychosocial Intervention Optional 1st semester 5
Workshop on Scientific Communication and Advances in Documentation Optional 1st semester
2nd semester
2.5
Workshop on Scientific Communication and Assessment Indicators Optional 1st semester
2nd semester
2.5

Previous years

Placements

Placements in a company or another type of organization are an integral part of university studies, providing first-hand experience of working methodologies in students' chosen professional fields. They offer invaluable practical experience for the transition into work after graduation.



Placements are supervised by tutors and subject to assessment. They are therefore included in the academic record.  There is also an option to complete non-curricular placements of up to 500 hours, which can be extended to 900 hours. For both curricular and non-curricular placements, an educational cooperation agreement is signed between the UB and the company, institution or other organization at which the placement will be carried out.



Institutional information


Career opportunities

What can you work on ?

Careers in this general field fall within the framework of national and regional legislation on the management of the welfare state, as enshrined in the Spanish Constitution.
Opportunities can be found in a range of areas, including social and community migration programmes; women's issues and gender policy; children at risk; care and prevention of social exclusion resulting from economic hardship and social stigmatization; social and occupational integration; crisis and emergency intervention, and recreation and leisure management.
Career paths open to graduates include social services offered under local community plans governed by the relevant national and regional legislative frameworks, basic social services, and secondary social services offered by open and residential centres in various areas of social intervention. Positions that address environmental aspects of social intervention are also open to graduates, and are generally linked to local community plans.

Access to the labour market

Data from the university system in Catalonia

Contact us