At UC we offer the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology – PGDipClinPsyc to study for registration with the the New Zealand Psychologists Board in the Clinical Psychologist scope of practice.
The New Zealand Psychologists Board are the regulatory authority for the profession of psychology in New Zealand refer to their website
http://www.psychologistsboard.org.nz/ for further information.
At UC we offer the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology – PGDipClinPsyc to study for registration with the the New Zealand Psychologists Board in the Clinical Psychologist scope of practice.
The New Zealand Psychologists Board are the regulatory authority for the profession of psychology in New Zealand refer to their website
http://www.psychologistsboard.org.nz/ for further information.
Yes. We accept applications from anyone who meets the admission requirements for the PGDipClinPsyc qualification.
Some considerations to note:
- During the application phase, if shortlisted; the interviews are held in person in Christchurch New Zealand.
- If selected into the qualification; courses are only offered in person at our Christchurch New Zealand campus due to the interactive nature and placement components.
- The internships in the third year of the training are covered by New Zealand employment agreements. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure visa, or other, does not restrict them from completing the hours or employment requirements of an internship.
Yes. We accept applications from anyone who meets the admission requirements for the PGDipClinPsyc qualification.
Some considerations to note:
- During the application phase, if shortlisted; the interviews are held in person in Christchurch New Zealand.
- If selected into the qualification; courses are only offered in person at our Christchurch New Zealand campus due to the interactive nature and placement components.
- The internships in the third year of the training are covered by New Zealand employment agreements. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure visa, or other, does not restrict them from completing the hours or employment requirements of an internship.
There are two parts to the application process for International students.
First you should apply for admission to the University of Canterbury, where your previous qualifications will be assessed by our Admissions team.
Applicants who are based overseas, or who have completed their qualifications outside of NZ, are encouraged to apply for admission at least 2 months before the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology - PGDipClinPsyc application deadline. Any application received after the deadline will not be considered.
Once your admission to UC has been confirmed, you should follow the application process for the PGDipClinPsyc qualification.
There are two parts to the application process for International students.
First you should apply for admission to the University of Canterbury, where your previous qualifications will be assessed by our Admissions team.
Applicants who are based overseas, or who have completed their qualifications outside of NZ, are encouraged to apply for admission at least 2 months before the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology - PGDipClinPsyc application deadline. Any application received after the deadline will not be considered.
Once your admission to UC has been confirmed, you should follow the application process for the PGDipClinPsyc qualification.
You can search available scholarships for all students on our website.
You can search available scholarships for all students on our website.
No. This is a taught postgraduate qualification, and is only available at our campus in Christchurch, New Zealand for those selected into the qualification.
No. This is a taught postgraduate qualification, and is only available at our campus in Christchurch, New Zealand for those selected into the qualification.
Up to 26 people are selected each year.
Up to 26 people are selected each year.
Information on fees is available on our website.
Information on fees is available on our website.
If your undergraduate degree is not in Psychology, a Graduate Diploma in Science (GradDipSc) in Psychology, or a Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science (GradDipPsycSc) followed by one year of postgraduate study (i.e., Honours, Masters Part 1 or PGDipSci all in a discipline of psychology) will provide the basic qualifications required for admission. Include the courses required for admissions within these qualifications, these include PSYC379 Introduction to Psychopathology and an approved 400 or 600-level course in research methods with a statistical focus. Please refer to the PGDipClinPsyc regulations for full admission requirements.
It is recommended you discuss your options with a Student Advisor in the Faculty of Science.
If your undergraduate degree is not in Psychology, a Graduate Diploma in Science (GradDipSc) in Psychology, or a Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science (GradDipPsycSc) followed by one year of postgraduate study (i.e., Honours, Masters Part 1 or PGDipSci all in a discipline of psychology) will provide the basic qualifications required for admission. Include the courses required for admissions within these qualifications, these include PSYC379 Introduction to Psychopathology and an approved 400 or 600-level course in research methods with a statistical focus. Please refer to the PGDipClinPsyc regulations for full admission requirements.
It is recommended you discuss your options with a Student Advisor in the Faculty of Science.
The overarching philosophy of Clinical Psychology training at UC is that of the generalist practitioner. Accordingly, the programme covers training in working with children, adolescents, and adults, and within mental health and criminal justice / forensic settings. A strong foundation in these areas can better prepare students for the rigour of study within the PGDipClinPsyc.
We note that the Honours-level child and family psychology papers at UC are likely to be the preferred training pathway for aspiring child and family psychologists.
Any course combination at Honours level is acceptable, provided that one of the courses is an approved course in research methods *.
* Approved 400 or 600-level course in research methods for PGDipClinPsyc admission:
University of Canterbury:
- PSYC460 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics (approved prior to 2026, no longer being offered)
- PSYC678 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics (approved from 2026)
- HLTH462 Quantitative Methods (approved prior to 2026, no longer being offered)
- HLTH693 Quantitative Methods in Health (approved from 2026)
- PhD in Psychology
We also accept courses from other New Zealand Universities that have been approved for admission to UC PGDipClinPsyc. If you are unsure of the equivalence of a New Zealand University course email clinicalpsychology@canterbury.ac.nz allowing at least 5 working days prior to an application closing date.
Approved courses are subject to change so we recommend you check these are approved in the year of your application.
The overarching philosophy of Clinical Psychology training at UC is that of the generalist practitioner. Accordingly, the programme covers training in working with children, adolescents, and adults, and within mental health and criminal justice / forensic settings. A strong foundation in these areas can better prepare students for the rigour of study within the PGDipClinPsyc.
We note that the Honours-level child and family psychology papers at UC are likely to be the preferred training pathway for aspiring child and family psychologists.
Any course combination at Honours level is acceptable, provided that one of the courses is an approved course in research methods *.
* Approved 400 or 600-level course in research methods for PGDipClinPsyc admission:
University of Canterbury:
- PSYC460 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics (approved prior to 2026, no longer being offered)
- PSYC678 Advanced Research Methods and Statistics (approved from 2026)
- HLTH462 Quantitative Methods (approved prior to 2026, no longer being offered)
- HLTH693 Quantitative Methods in Health (approved from 2026)
- PhD in Psychology
We also accept courses from other New Zealand Universities that have been approved for admission to UC PGDipClinPsyc. If you are unsure of the equivalence of a New Zealand University course email clinicalpsychology@canterbury.ac.nz allowing at least 5 working days prior to an application closing date.
Approved courses are subject to change so we recommend you check these are approved in the year of your application.
If you completed qualifications at a university outside of New Zealand, you should first apply for admission to the University of Canterbury. As part of this process, your qualification will be assessed by our Admissions team. Following the admissions assessment, please contact clinicalpsychology@canterbury.ac.nz and provide an official course outline/syllabus from your institution for any course you believe to be equivalent, including detailed content for assessment of equivalence.
If you completed qualifications at a university outside of New Zealand, you should first apply for admission to the University of Canterbury. As part of this process, your qualification will be assessed by our Admissions team. Following the admissions assessment, please contact clinicalpsychology@canterbury.ac.nz and provide an official course outline/syllabus from your institution for any course you believe to be equivalent, including detailed content for assessment of equivalence.
We require a postgraduate Research Methods course that comprises statistics and data analysis with applications for psychology. An example of this is PSYC 678 Research Methods in Psychology. Courses on research design and communication only do not meet this requirement. If you would like to check if a course meets these requirements, please contact clinicalpsychology@canterbury.ac.nz
We require a postgraduate Research Methods course that comprises statistics and data analysis with applications for psychology. An example of this is PSYC 678 Research Methods in Psychology. Courses on research design and communication only do not meet this requirement. If you would like to check if a course meets these requirements, please contact clinicalpsychology@canterbury.ac.nz
If you do not have a qualification assessed as comparable to a New Zealand Masters (or PhD) in Psychology, then you will need to complete this concurrently with the PGDipClinPsyc.
If you have a qualification assessed as comparable to a New Zealand Masters (or PhD) in Psychology, then you do not need to complete another one. If you are completing a PhD in Psychology which will be completed prior to completion of the PGDipClinPsyc, you don’t need to complete a Masters in Psychology.
If you do not have a qualification assessed as comparable to a New Zealand Masters (or PhD) in Psychology, then you will need to complete this concurrently with the PGDipClinPsyc.
If you have a qualification assessed as comparable to a New Zealand Masters (or PhD) in Psychology, then you do not need to complete another one. If you are completing a PhD in Psychology which will be completed prior to completion of the PGDipClinPsyc, you don’t need to complete a Masters in Psychology.
No, we offer a PGDipClinPsyc.
With approval from the Director of Clinical Training you can apply to concurrently complete the PGDipClinPsyc and a PhD in Psychology.
No, we offer a PGDipClinPsyc.
With approval from the Director of Clinical Training you can apply to concurrently complete the PGDipClinPsyc and a PhD in Psychology.
Applications are strengthened by having:
- clinical, or clinically-related experience, e.g. telephone counselling (Lifeline, Youthline), support/case worker (in a mental health setting), etc.,
- research experience, e.g. research assistant, summer scholarship student, etc.,
- cultural experience e.g. Te Reo Māori language course, increased knowledge of tikanga, etc.
Grades play a contributing factor in the shortlisting process. The grade required for shortlisting varies from year to year, depending on the quality of applications. Generally, shortlisted applicants will have a grade in admission required courses of B+ (GPA 6) or higher.
Applications are strengthened by having:
- clinical, or clinically-related experience, e.g. telephone counselling (Lifeline, Youthline), support/case worker (in a mental health setting), etc.,
- research experience, e.g. research assistant, summer scholarship student, etc.,
- cultural experience e.g. Te Reo Māori language course, increased knowledge of tikanga, etc.
Grades play a contributing factor in the shortlisting process. The grade required for shortlisting varies from year to year, depending on the quality of applications. Generally, shortlisted applicants will have a grade in admission required courses of B+ (GPA 6) or higher.
Yes, provided you meet the admission requirements for the PGDipClinPsyc qualification.
Clinical experience cannot replace qualifications or courses required for admission as outlined in the PGDipClinPsyc regulations.
The kinds of work experience (paid or volunteer) that the programme look for during selections is quite broad but would ideally include direct experiences with the kinds of populations a clinical psychologist would work with, e.g. people in distress, people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. A lot of people gain such experiences with services like telephone counselling, mental health support agencies, victim support; we see a broad range.
Yes, provided you meet the admission requirements for the PGDipClinPsyc qualification.
Clinical experience cannot replace qualifications or courses required for admission as outlined in the PGDipClinPsyc regulations.
The kinds of work experience (paid or volunteer) that the programme look for during selections is quite broad but would ideally include direct experiences with the kinds of populations a clinical psychologist would work with, e.g. people in distress, people with emotional or behavioural difficulties. A lot of people gain such experiences with services like telephone counselling, mental health support agencies, victim support; we see a broad range.
No. The PSYC670 Internship in Clinical Psychology is only available to students who have been accepted into the PGDipClinPsyc qualification and who have completed the first two years of training.
No. The PSYC670 Internship in Clinical Psychology is only available to students who have been accepted into the PGDipClinPsyc qualification and who have completed the first two years of training.
Yes. Upon completion of the PGDipClinPsyc (and either a Masters or PhD in Psychology) graduates can apply for registration under the Clinical Scope of Practice with the New Zealand Psychologists Board.
http://www.psychologistsboard.org.nz/
Yes. Upon completion of the PGDipClinPsyc (and either a Masters or PhD in Psychology) graduates can apply for registration under the Clinical Scope of Practice with the New Zealand Psychologists Board.
http://www.psychologistsboard.org.nz/
We do not give individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants, and instead encourage you to review our admissions and selections criteria to consider how your application may be able to be strengthened.
We do not give individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants, and instead encourage you to review our admissions and selections criteria to consider how your application may be able to be strengthened.
Yes, you can apply, although we recommend that you consult the course outlines of the admission required courses to check if you are confident that your knowledge is recent and relevant.
You may consider completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Science or a Certificate of Proficiency in required courses to refresh your knowledge.
Yes, you can apply, although we recommend that you consult the course outlines of the admission required courses to check if you are confident that your knowledge is recent and relevant.
You may consider completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Science or a Certificate of Proficiency in required courses to refresh your knowledge.
If you are interested in, and meet the admission requirements for, both the PGDipClinPsyc and PGDipChFamPsyc you can apply to both qualifications.
- Submit via MyUC the qualification application of your preferred option.
- Then referring to the relevant webpage submit the other application manually outside of MyUC.
- If Child and Family Psychology is your second preference:
- Refer to the PGDipChFamPsyc webpage, email PGDipChFamPsyc application to: studyhealth@canterbury.ac.nz
- Include in your email the full name and email address for three referees that would otherwise be entered into MyUC.
If Clinical Psychology, is you second preference:- Refer to the PGDipClinPsyc webpage, email PGDipClinPsyc application to: clinicalpsychology@canterbury.ac.nz
- Include in your email the full name and email address for three referees that would otherwise be entered into MyUC.
If you are interested in, and meet the admission requirements for, both the PGDipClinPsyc and PGDipChFamPsyc you can apply to both qualifications.
- Submit via MyUC the qualification application of your preferred option.
- Then referring to the relevant webpage submit the other application manually outside of MyUC.
- If Child and Family Psychology is your second preference:
- Refer to the PGDipChFamPsyc webpage, email PGDipChFamPsyc application to: studyhealth@canterbury.ac.nz
- Include in your email the full name and email address for three referees that would otherwise be entered into MyUC.
- Refer to the PGDipClinPsyc webpage, email PGDipClinPsyc application to: clinicalpsychology@canterbury.ac.nz
- Include in your email the full name and email address for three referees that would otherwise be entered into MyUC.
