Postgraduate study
Take your research or career to the next level with postgraduate study in psychology, speech and language pathology or audiology.
We have a wide range of postgraduate qualifications and research opportunities on offer. Most of our postgraduate courses include practical industry placements, clinical work, internships, projects or lab and field work.
Our degrees are very hands-on, with a good balance of theory and practical work. You can study full- or part-time and choose from 6-month courses to a three-year PhD.
Psychology options
- See the full list of postgraduate courses in Psychology
- See the full list of MSc in Applied Psychology (APSY)
PhD courses
The entry requirements listed below (or comparable qualifications from other universities) apply to all postgraduate degree and postgraduate diploma courses in the Department of Psychology. Students can study for an Master of Science, Master of Arts, or a PhD in Psychology, or a Master of Science in Applied Psychology (APSY). Also offered are Postgraduate Diploma in Science or Arts, and Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology.
Those who hold a university degree but without a major in Psychology, may proceed to postgraduate study upon completion of a Graduate Diploma in Science or by completing the necessary prerequisite courses which meet the entry requirements described below.
Entry requirements for all postgraduate study in Psychology and Applied Psychology
165 points from PSYC courses with at least 135 points at 200-level and above, including:
- PSYC 105 and PSYC 106
- PSYC 206 and at least three from PSYC 207-213, and
- 75 points at 300-level PSYC courses.
Other requirements:
- PSYC 344 is required for postgraduate study in Psychology and Applied Psychology.
- An average of at least a B grade over three PSYC 300-level courses (B+ grade for a BSc(Hons)).
- Equivalent courses from other universities are accepted.
Note
There are additional requirements for the Clinical Psychology programme.
Students whose prepatory courses in Psychology were taken prior to 2005 should consult the Postgraduate Course Advisor before enrolling in further PSYC courses.
To begin the enrolment process, check you meet the entry requirements. Students can enrol in Postgraduate studies at any time up to the commencement of the academic year in February.
All enrolments for Honours, Masters (including thesis only), PhD degrees and Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology, must be approved each year by the relevant Postgraduate Coordinator before enrolment is confirmed.
- All new postgraduate students EXCEPT PhD, Masters Thesis Students, MSc Applied Psychology, should discuss the options available with the 4th Year Postgrad Coordinator (Honours and 1st Year Masters), Professor Simon Kemp - please email to make an appointment.
- Students enrolled for PhD and Masters theses should see the Postgraduate Thesis/Doctoral Coordinator, Associate Professor Roeline Kuijer.
- MSc in Applied Psychology should visit the Applied Psychology page, or contact the Director of the APSY programme, Associate Professor Joana Kuntz.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology students should visit the Clinical Psychology page, or contact the Director of the Clinical Programme, Associate Professor Eileen Britt.
Speech and Hearing Options
- See the full list of postgraduate courses in Audiology
- See the full list of postgraduate courses in Speech and Language Pathology
PhD courses
Entry to the MAud is competitive, with the selection based on academic merit. Student numbers are limited to around 14 a year. Candidates must have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 5 out of 9 on UC's GPA scale (i.e. a B average), but successful candidates usually have a GPA significantly higher than this.
Successful applicants have come from a diverse range of backgrounds, so even if you are not from the health sciences, we encourage your application.
Application deadlines and processes
All applications must be received at the School of Psychology, Speech & Hearing no later than October 1st.
Potential students will be invited to an interview with Departmental Representatives as part of the application process.
Candidates must:
- Hold a prior degree (undergraduate or postgraduate)
- Have passed at least one course in Anatomy & Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanism. We recommend CMDS 161 which is available in Semester One and over summer
- Have passed at least one course in Statistics. We recommend STAT 101
- Have a minimum of a B average from a prior undergraduate or postgraduate degree
- Be aware there will be an interview with Departmental Representatives
English language requirements:
- Candidates must speak English as their native language, or
- IETLS Academic with an average score of 7.0, with a minimum of 6.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Admission to this MSc programme is limited. Applicants must hold a four-year undergraduate degree, or a three-year undergraduate degree with the first year of a two-year MSc completed.
Student selection is based on academic merit and relevant assessments to determine suitability for advanced study in speech and language sciences.
As this programme is focused on the student’s development of research skills, applicants to the MSc programme are encouraged to identify a particular topic of interest and must discuss their ideas with the relevant members of staff described above.
MSLP
This is a two-step process and both need to be done by 1 October. Prospective students need to:
- Apply for Admission to the University of Canterbury. This can be done via myUC.
- Submit an application directly to the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing using our application and recommendation forms.
- MSLP Application Form (PDF, 109kB)
- MSLP Recommendation Form (fillable) (PDF, 173kB)
MSc Speech and Language Sciences
The deadline for applications is 1 November. Please complete the application form and have two recommendation forms completed by your referees.
- MSc Application Form (PDF, 91kB)
- MSc Recommendation Form (PDF, 75kB)
MAud
All applications must be received by the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing by 1 October. Potential students will be invited to an interview with School representatives as part of the application process.
- Master of Audiology Application form(PDF, 102kB)
- Master of Audiology Recommendation Form (PDF, 85kB)
Need more information?
If you have a query about Speech & Hearing courses, and to lodge your application form, please email the Professional Programmes Administrator.
Nicky Drake
Professional Programmes Administrator (BSLP(Hons), MSLP, M Aud)
Learn from our students' experiences
Student profiles
UC has been committed to producing tomorrow's leaders for over 140 years.
Our graduates continue to enjoy national and international recognition for their achievements. Read about the successes of some of our current students, recent graduates, as well as inspirational research being conducted by our postgraduate students below.