Information for prospective students and FAQ
Why Otago?
The Department of Psychology has an international reputation for excellence in research. It is seen as a leading Psychology Department in New Zealand and is regarded as one of the University of Otago’s strongest departments. Our research effort is complemented by the training of many Masters and PhD students who are encouraged to publish in high quality journals alongside our internationally acclaimed research supervisors.
Our vibrant Department attracts large numbers of undergraduate and postgraduate students, and is one of the largest departments in the University in terms of student numbers. Our staff are known as excellent and passionate teachers, routinely obtaining high ratings from student evaluations, and earning various university teaching awards. Innovative teaching practices are applied at every level.
Our Clinical Psychology graduates are in demand by employers due to the depth and quality of the clinical programme. Our PhD graduates go on to postdoctoral positions and faculty positions at leading universities world-wide.
Psychology at Otago in top 40 world-wide
Psychology at Otago has been ranked 39th equal in an international comparison of Psychology schools. This result is reported in the 2012 QS World University Rankings and places us in some prestigious company. The final score in this survey of more than 700 universities is created from a weighted composite of several measures. One of these measures, citations per faculty over a 5 year period, is a good indication of our impact and influence in the field, and it is wonderful to see that at 83.9 we are up there alongside many of the schools in the 1-25 band.
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the science of behaviour. It studies the way people and animals interact with the world and each other. This covers a wide range of topics. Here are a few, and the sort of questions they might address:
- Biopsychology
How do sleep, hormone levels and drugs affect our behaviour? - Neuropsychology
How does our brain work? - Development
Why do our abilities and behaviour change with age? - Perception
What do our eyes tell our brain? - Social Psychology
Why do groups of people treat each other the way they do? - Abnormal Psychology
When do we decide that behaviour is "abnormal" and what causes such problems? - Learning
How do our experiences influence our behaviour? - Cognition
How do we remember things, solve problems and use language? - Applied Psychology
How do we apply our knowledge of behaviour to everyday situations?
Who takes Psychology?
Psychology attracts many students. If you specialised in Psychology, you would complete BSc or BA degrees with Psychology as your major subject.
Or, you may take Psychology because it complements other degrees. For example, you may take some psychology papers to go with your degrees in Law, Health Sciences, Education, Philosophy, Management, Marketing, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Physical Education, or Consumer and Applied Sciences.
What does first year (100-level) Psychology involve?
There are 2 first-year papers, PSYC 111 (Semester 1) and PSYC 112 (Semester 2). You could take just one paper, but you usually must do both before you can take Psychology papers at 200-level. Each paper has both lectures and a laboratory component.
What background do you need?
Any student eligible to enrol at university can take Psychology papers at 100-level at the University of Otago.
Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, therefore we don't assume too much in terms of prior experience. High School English, Biology and Statistics are useful, but are not essential.
What other subjects should you take if you major in Psychology?
It depends on your particular interests and strengths. Here are a few examples, but there are many other possible combinations. You may:
- take biology and chemistry because you’re interested in the biological underpinnings of behaviour
- take management and marketing because you plan to work in industry or an organisational setting
- take mathematics and computer science because you’re fascinated by artificial intelligence
- add some political studies and philosophy to your degree because you’re interested in issues of social change
- like to work with children so you take some education papers
- be interested in the cultural aspects of behaviour, so you take some anthropology and sociology papers
If you were intending to progress to advanced levels (eg, Honours, Masters, Diploma in Clinical Psychology) you should take STAT 110, STAT 115, or equivalent before entering 300-level psychology.
What is the difference between a Clinical Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?
Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists are both trained to diagnose and treat psychological disorders and dysfunctions. Both can provide therapy and counselling services for children and adults.
Psychiatrists have a general medical degree and then advanced training in psychiatry. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication for people with serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, whereas psychologists cannot.
Clinical Psychologists have a MA, MSc or PhD in Psychology and advanced training in Clinical Psychology (Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology). As well as therapy and counselling services, clinical psychologists can do psychological testing with well-researched tests. Psychiatrists usually do not do psychological testing.
Student support services within the Department of Psychology
The Department of Psychology aims to provide support, equity and inclusion for all students. This involves providing specific support for Māori students, Pacific students, international students and students who are experiencing any form of disability (including temporary and permanent situations).
Find out more about support services in the Department of Psychology
