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Study Psychology at Otago

• Overview
• Qualifications
• Papers
• Major Subject and Programme Requirements
• Minor Subject Requirements
• Further Information

Overview

Psychology is the science of behaviour. Psychologists study the way humans (and other animals) interact with the world and each other. For example, Psychology examines how our abilities change with age, and what might underlie abnormal behaviour. It investigates how we process and store information using our senses and memory, and how our experiences shape our behaviour. Psychologists also study how behaviour relates to the functioning of the brain, and why things such as drugs, hormone levels and lack of sleep can influence the way we behave. Applied psychologists use this knowledge to address problems as diverse as sleep disorders, industrial relations, phobias, drug rehabilitation, aircraft safety and hyperactivity.

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Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (BSc)
• Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))
• Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
• Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PGDipClPs)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Science (MSc)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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Papers

See the full list of Psychology (PSYC) papers.

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Programme Requirements

Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Psychology

Level	Papers	Points
100-level	PSYC 111 PSYC 112 STAT 110 (recommended)	18 18 18
200-level	PSYC 210 PSYC 211 PSYC 212	18 18 18
300-level	Four of PSYC 313, PSYC 315, PSYC 316, PSYC 317, PSYC 318, PSYC 319, PSYC 321, PSYC 323, PSYC 325, PSYC 326 Students intending to advance to postgraduate study should also take PSYC 311	72
Plus	180 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts	180
Total		360

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Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Psychology

Stage	Papers	Points
1st stage	PSYC 111 PSYC 112 STAT 110 72 further points	18 18 18 72
2nd stage	PSYC 210 PSYC 211 PSYC 212 One of PSYC 313, PSYC 315, PSYC 316, PSYC 317, PSYC 318, PSYC 319, PSYC 321, PSYC 323, PSYC 325, PSYC 326 54 further points at 200-level or above	18 18 18 18   54
3rd stage	PSYC 310 PSYC 311 PSYC 352 Three of PSYC 313, PSYC 315, PSYC 316, PSYC 317, PSYC 318, PSYC 319, PSYC 321, PSYC 323, PSYC 325, PSYC 326 18 further points	18 18 18 54   18
4th stage	PSYC 490 96 points from PSYC 401, PSYC 402, PSYC 403, PSYC 404, PSYC 405, PSYC 406, PSYC 461, PSYC 464, PSYC 465, PSYC 466, PSYC 467, PSYC 469, PSYC 470, PSYC 471, PSYC 472, PSYC 474, PSYC 475, PSYC 476, PSYC 479	48 96

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Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Psychology

The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Psychology is the same as the fourth stage course for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours.

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Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Psychology

Level	Papers	Points
100-level	PSYC 111 PSYC 112 STAT 110 (strongly recommended)	18 18 18
200-level	PSYC 210 PSYC 211 PSYC 212	18 18 18
300-level	Four of PSYC 313, PSYC 315, PSYC 316, PSYC 317, PSYC 318, PSYC 319, PSYC 321, PSYC 323, PSYC 325, PSYC 326 Students intending to advance to postgraduate study should also take PSYC 311	72
Plus	180 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science	180
Total		360

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Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Psychology

Year	Papers	Points
1st stage	PSYC 111 PSYC 112 STAT 110 72 further points	18 18 18 72
2nd stage	PSYC 210 PSYC 211 PSYC 212 One of PSYC 313, PSYC 315, PSYC 316, PSYC 317, PSYC 318, PSYC 319, PSYC 321, PSYC 323, PSYC 325, PSYC 326 54 further points at 200-level or above Note: for Second Stage Honours only, PSYC 210 - 212 are considered co-requisites for PSYC 313 - 326	18 18 18 18  54
3rd stage	PSYC 310 PSYC 311 PSYC 352 Three of PSYC 313, PSYC 315, PSYC 316, PSYC 317, PSYC 318, PSYC 319, PSYC 321, PSYC 323, PSYC 325, PSYC 326 18 further points	18 18 18 54   18
4th stage	PSYC 490 96 points from PSYC 401, PSYC 402, PSYC 403, PSYC 404, PSYC 405, PSYC 406, PSYC 461, PSYC 464, PSYC 465, PSYC 466, PSYC 467, PSYC 469, PSYC 470, PSYC 471, PSYC 472, PSYC 474, PSYC 475, PSYC 476, PSYC 479	48 96

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Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Psychology

Papers
PSYC 490 96 points from PSYC 401, PSYC 402, PSYC 403, PSYC 404, PSYC 405, PSYC 406, PSYC 461, PSYC 464, PSYC 465, PSYC 466, PSYC 467, PSYC 469, PSYC 470, PSYC 471, PSYC 472, PSYC 474, PSYC 475, PSYC 476, PSYC 479
Note: With the approval of the Head of Department or Programme Director concerned, a 48 point dissertation or project may be substituted for any project of fewer points prescribed in the table above.

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Master of Science (MSc) in Psychology

Papers
PSYC 495 and papers worth at least 96 points from PSYC 401, PSYC 402, PSYC 403, PSYC 404, PSYC 405, PSYC 406, PSYC 461, PSYC 464, PSYC 465, PSYC 466, PSYC 467, PSYC 469, PSYC 470, PSYC 471, PSYC 472, PSYC 474, PSYC 475, PSYC 476, PSYC 479 PSYC 5 (thesis)

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Minor Subject Requirements

Psychology as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) or Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree

Level	Papers	Points
100-level	PSYC 111 PSYC 112	18 18
200-level	PSYC 210 PSYC 211 PSYC 212	18 18 18
300-level	One of PSYC 313, PSYC 315, PSYC 316, PSYC 317, PSYC 318, PSYC 319, PSYC 321, PSYC 323, PSYC 325, PSYC 326	18
Total		108

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Further Information

Email us at psychology@otago.ac.nz or visit our home page http://www.otago.ac.nz/psychology