Student exchange programme for Psychology students
As a student in the Department of Psychology, you may have the opportunity to do a semester or a full year of your study overseas as part of the University's Student Exchange Programme.
If you plan on taking Psychology papers while you are away and would like these to count towards your Otago Psychology degree, there is specific information that you need to know. Please read the important information given here carefully.
Acceptable exchange partners for Psychology
Not all the University's exchange partners offer Psychology papers that can be credited towards an Otago degree. Below you will find a list of University exchange partners that the Psychology Department approves for overseas study.
Australia
Canada
- Brock University
- Dalhousie University
- McGill University
- Mt Allison University
- Queen's University
- University of Alberta
- University of British Columbia
- University of Toronto
- University of Western Ontario
England
Scotland
USA
- Boston College
- University of California
- University of Hawaii
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- University of Oregon
- University of Richmond
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Virginia
What happens if I am accepted into the Exchange Programme?
Congratulations! Now that you are accepted to study at one of the Universities approved by Psychology, there are a few things you need to take care of. First, read ALL your information (acceptance letters, Learning Agreement etc) very carefully and follow through on the instructions given to you in preparation for your overseas study. In reading, you will see that you need to get approval from the Department for papers that you will take while overseas. Departmental approval is critical if you wish the overseas papers to count towards your Otago Psychology degree. Read on.
How do I go about getting approval from the Department of Psychology?
Once you are accepted into the Exchange Programme and have an overseas university, there are a number of steps you need to take. DO NOT LEAVE THIS TO THE LAST MINUTE! Aim to complete these steps at least 3 weeks before your Learning Agreement needs to be signed.
Email the Psychology Exchange Adviser in the Department and indicate
- where you are going
- how many semesters you will be studying overseas (S1, S2 or full year)
- what year of Psychology you will be studying while away (200-level or 300-level Psychology
Put together information to give to the Psychology Exchange Adviser
This should include:
- information about the major in Psychology at your overseas university
- the minimum number of papers required while studying overseas
- a wish list of papers that you would like to study overseas and any available information about those papers
- a copy of your student record
This information should be provided to the Psychology Exchange Adviser well in advance of any meeting with the Adviser.
Make an appointment with the Psychology Exchange Adviser to
- discuss your overseas paper selection
- arrange for approval and signing of your Learning Agreement
Can I take any papers I want?
All papers need to be approved. We try to strike a balance between papers that resemble Otago Psychology papers and papers that are not on offer at Otago. This is what you will discuss with your Psychology Exchange Adviser.
I am a Psychology student, but I don't plan on taking any Psychology papers when I am away. Do I still need to see a Psychology Exchange Adviser?
Yes. You need to have your overseas study approved by a Psychology Exchange Adviser. When you complete Step 1 above, let the adviser know that you are not taking any Psychology papers while on exchange.
Who is the Psychology Exchange Adviser?
Dr Rachel Zajac
Email rachelz@psy.otago.ac.nz
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