Psychology

• UC offers a balanced and comprehensive set of courses, excellent opportunities to undertake work in experimental psychology, and has nationally and internationally recognised postgraduate applied programmes in Applied Psychology, Child and Family Psychology, and Clinical Psychology (leading to professional registration as a psychologist).
• UC has more than 25 specialist academic staff offering a diverse range of research and teaching options. With a large number of undergraduate and postgraduate students, we seek to foster close working relationships between staff and students. Students can become involved in research projects and may make significant contributions to the discipline.
• Te Kura Mahi ā-Hirikapo | School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing provides students with modern computer-based laboratories; excellent digital recording and editing equipment; an extensive library of psychological tests; and laboratories for human performance, human robot interaction, animal behaviour and neuroscience, perception and cognition, and social, developmental, and applied psychology.
• UC has a Psychology Clinic where clinical students receive training, and has working relationships with Te Poari Hauora o Waitaha | Canterbury District Health Board, and Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections, offering opportunities for research and clinical internships.

A background in Psychology at undergraduate level is a minimum requirement for postgraduate Psychology courses.

Learn more about postgraduate Psychology entry requirements.

• See all postgraduate Psychology courses

UC offers the following postgraduate programmes in Psychology and related areas:

• Graduate Diploma in Arts
• Graduate Diploma in Science
• Bachelor of Arts with Honours
• Bachelor of Science with Honours
• Postgraduate Certificate in Arts
• Postgraduate Certificate in Science
• Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology
• Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science
• Master of Arts (Thesis)
• Master of Science
• Doctor of Philosophy

See the individual qualification pages for more information on degree requirements.

See also Applied Psychology, Child and Family Psychology, and Clinical Psychology for more information on specialist postgraduate studies in psychology.

Bachelor of Arts with Honours and Bachelor of Science with Honours majoring in Psychology

The Psychology major in the BA(Hons) includes 120 points of 400-level PSYC courses, including one of the following options:

• PSYC 413 or PSYC 415 or PSYC 433
• PSYC 475 plus either PSYC 460 or PSYC 461 or PSYC 464
• PSYC 458 and PSYC 460
• PSYC 470

The Psychology major in the BSc(Hons) includes PSYC 460 Research Methods in Psychology, PSYC 470 Research Project, and another 75 points of courses from 400-level PSYC courses.

Graduate Diploma in Arts and Graduate Diploma in Science specialising in Psychology

To complete a GradDipArts or GradDipSc with a Psychology focus, students will need to complete at least 60 points in 100-300 level PSYC courses throughout their degree. In total 90 points must be at 300-level in the diploma from Psychology and/or other Arts or Science courses.

Postgraduate Certificate in Arts and Postgraduate Certificate in Science majoring in Psychology

For the PGCertSc, students need to complete at least 45 points in 400-level PSYC courses for the major. In total 60 points must be completed for the PGCertSc from Psychology and/or other Science courses.

Students need to complete all 60 points in the PGCertArts in 400-level PSYC courses for the major. With approval, they may substitute 30 points in their certificate with either PACE 495 Professional and Community Engagement Internship or DIGI 403 Digital Project with a Psychology focus.

Postgraduate Diploma in Arts and Postgraduate Diploma in Science majoring in Psychology

In the PGDipSc, the 120 points in the diploma are chosen from 400-level PSYC courses. With approval, up to 60 points in the diploma may be chosen from other Science subjects, and one 300-level course may be substituted for a 400-level course with an equivalent points value.

All 120 points in the PGDipArts are chosen from 400-level PSYC courses. With approval, 30 points in the diploma may be substituted with either PACE 495 Professional and Community Engagement Internship or DIGI 403 Digital Project with a Psychology focus.

Master of Science majoring in Psychology

Part I of the MSc in Psychology is 120 points of 400-level PSYC courses, including PSYC 460 Research Methods in Psychology. Students need a B+ Grade Point Average to proceed to Part II of the degree.

Part II of the MSc requires PSYC 695 MSc Thesis.

Master of Arts (Thesis) majoring in Psychology

In the MA(Thesis), students need to complete the thesis course PSYC 690 MA Thesis.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology

In the PhD, students need to pass a thesis of original research in the Psychology field (PSYC 790 Psychology PhD).

Psychologists have a unique mix of skills. As well as a basic knowledge about people, as individuals and in groups, they are required to have excellent writing and communication skills, the ability to analyse and understand quantitative data, and a critical and objective way of approaching problems.

Psychology graduates hold research and policy analyst positions in government departments and other large public sector organisations, as well as positions of responsibility in a variety of settings, including many private sector businesses. Many graduates are employed in public relations; teaching and training; district health boards; the New Zealand Defence Forces; Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections; and in social service agencies such as employment services, social welfare, counselling services, and health promotion.

Further specialist opportunities open up for those who have completed postgraduate training in Applied Psychology, Child and Family Psychology, and Clinical Psychology (leading to professional registration as a psychologist). Clinical psychologists work with individuals and their families where there are difficulties in adjustment and coping.

Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Psychology.