Positive Psychology and Well-being
Become a scientist-practitioner in the broad field of psychology. As a positive psychologist, you focus on people’s strengths and talents, and the positive aspects of human functioning. In the Master's program Positive Psychology and Well-being, you are trained in interventions to establish happiness and behavioral change. You can apply this within the broad domain of mental health services, schools, and companies. This is a track of the Master’s program in Psychology and Mental Health.
National Alumni Survey, 2021 | n=27
National Student Survey, 2023 | n=19
Times Higher Education Rankings, 2024
Program and courses
Positive psychology is the scientific study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive in their personal life, schools and universities, companies, and mental health care. You focus on people's strengths and talents and study concepts like creativity, happiness, developing talents and strengths, adaptive power, and psychological well-being. You will study these concepts in the context of individuals, personal life, health, education, entrepreneurship, and society in general. The program Positive Psychology and Well-being endorses the mission of Tilburg University for its graduates to not only understand but also advance society.
- Become part of a small-scale, interactive program with a lot of personal contact.
- Become trained in interventions to establish happiness and behavioral change by identifying and developing people’s strengths and talents.
- This program is broader than the other three clinical tracks of the Master's program in Psychology (Clinical Psychology, Clinical Forensic Psychology, and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology) because children, adolescents, and adults with psychological problems also have healthy and strong features which this program focuses on.
- This Master's track uses the scientist-practitioner model, with a strong link between theory and practice. You learn to conduct independent research and you put what you have learned into practice during an internship. You also attend guest lectures from professional practice.
Please note that this Master’s track does not provide the qualification required for the Dutch post-Master's program to become a GZ psychologist or psychotherapist. For more information, visit the website: Bewijsstukken voor aanvragen LOGO verklaring.
Typical courses are:
- Introduction and Theories about Positive Psychology
- Personal Development, Growth and Resilience
- Positive Institutions
- Positive Psychology Interventions and Assessment
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Nadica Atanasova
Master’s student"Learning about gratitude, character strengths, and growth mindset has showed me we all have power within us to improve (our) lives. I am happier and more positive after this program!"
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Melissa Medoch
Master’s student"The program prepared me to practice my passion to help others, and has broadened my knowledge regarding positive psychology and how to improve the well-being of others."

Career prospects
As a positive psychologist, you focus on positive outcomes, like well-being, happiness and competence, instead of abnormal behavior and psychopathology. Being able to guide positive change processes on an individual, interpersonal and organizational level (HR departments or training and consultancy firms), positive psychologists can be employed in the broad domain of schools, companies and mental health services.
- Identify and stimulate talent development and motivation in schools and universities, as a coach, trainer, or consultant.
- Help employees and companies recruit the right people in the right positions, by gaining insight into their talents and strengths, or by establishing a suitable work environment for people with disabilities.
- Contribute to mental health care with a strength-oriented approach instead of a disorder-based approach. Psychologists are often one-sidedly trained in diagnosing and treating disorders, focusing on the co-morbidities and thus ignoring the fact that people with complaints are also people with talents and co-vitalities.
Alumni facts
- On average 2 months until first paid job
- 96% of our alumni find a job within 6 months after graduation
- Gross monthly income one year after graduation: € 2,929
- 100% of the graduates is (very) satisfied with the program
Source: National Alumni Survey, 2021| n=27

Application and admission
This master's program starts:
End of August
Best preparatory programs:
Psychology with a specialization in, for example:
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Tuition fees and scholarships
International students, please find all information about the tuition fees and the scholarships available.
Interested in this Master's track?

More information on this Master's program
Download the brochure with information on program content, admission requirements, career prospects, housing and immigration matters, and student life in Tilburg. Throughout the year you can take part in various types of events: on-campus, abroad or online.
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13:30 - 16:00
Campus Experience
Are you curious about life as a student at Tilburg University, or not sure which university you want to attend? Join our Campus Experience on January 31 or February 21! Discover our compact and green campus with one of our students and find out if Tilburg University is your future home.
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To be announced
Get to know Tilburg University - Orientation Webinar for Master's programs
Are you curious about the experiences of international students like you? Join our Get to know Tilburg University Webinar led by our international team and discover what it is like to study at Tilburg University! It is your one-hour introduction to studying in the Netherlands, the city of Tilburg, and our university. The next Orientation Webinar is taking place at the beginning of February 2024.
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To be announced
Application and Admission - Webinar for Master’s programs
Are you interested in a Master’s program at Tilburg University, and do you want to know more about the application procedure for international students? Take the first step towards a successful application by joining our Application and Admission Webinar for our Master’s programs. The next webinar is taking place at the beginning of February 2024.
Interested in the MSc Positive Psychology and Well-being?
Check your eligibility and the deadlines for application