The science of behaviour, brain and cognition
Psychology is the science of behaviour, brain and cognition, exploring the complex way humans and other animals interact with the world and
each other.
Psychology examines the behavioural, perceptual, mental and emotional processes taking place in our brains. Psychologists also address applied topics as diverse as transport safety, eye-witness testimony, industrial relations, intellectual disabilities, hyperactivity in children, and other clinical issues.
Why study Psychology?
- Learn about human behaviour.
- Start a challenging career.
- Develop research skills in the social and behavioural sciences.
- Improve career flexibility with Psychology in your degree.
You will learn
- How the brain stores memories and processes information.
- How our abilities change from childhood to old age.
- How emotions affect our reasoning.
- How prejudice and stereotypes arise.
- How parents’ behaviour influences their children’s development.
- What underlies disorders such as schizophrenia and dementia.
- Why drugs, head injuries and hormones influence behaviour.
Background required
Any University of Otago student can take first-year papers in Psychology. Secondary school English, biology and statistics are useful but not essential.
Careers opportunities
In addition to specialising in Psychology, a degree in Psychology is useful for a wide range of other disciplines as well. Students take Psychology as part of degrees in Law, Commerce, Physical Education, Applied Science, Education, or Health Sciences.
Graduates from the Department of Psychology have gone on to jobs in universities, health and social services, business and industry, safety, communications and planning, and various government agencies. Clinical Psychology graduates have gone on to work in the public health sector, Department of Corrections, or in private practice.
Graduates with appropriate postgraduate qualifications work in research sections of the government, such as the Department of Health, Education, Justice, Social Development, Transport and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Many of our graduates spend time working overseas, particularly in Australia, the United Kingdom or USA.
What does first-year Psychology involve?
There are two first-year papers, PSYC 111 Brain and Behaviour (semester 1) and PSYC 112 Human Thought and Behaviour (semester 2).
These papers have lecture and laboratory components and cover a wide range of topics such as:
Biopsychology – how do sleep, hormone levels, and drugs affect our behaviour?
Perception – what do our senses tell our brains?
Neuropsychology – how do our brains work?
Learning – how do our experiences influence our behaviour?
Development – why do our abilities and behaviours change with age?
Social psychology – how do people affect one another?
Abnormal psychology – when do we decide that behaviour is “abnormal”, and what causes such problems?
Cognition – how do we remember things, solve problems, and use language?
If I major in Psychology what other subjects might I consider?
That depends on your interests and strengths. Here are a few examples, but there are many other possibilities.
Student A takes Biology, Chemistry and Anatomy because they are interested in neuroscience.
Student B takes Marketing, Management and/or Human Resource Management because they want to work in business or industry.
Student C takes Mathematics and Computer Science because they are fascinated by artificial intelligence.
Student D is interested in issues of social change, so they add Politics, Philosophy and Economics to their degree.
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom)
- Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
- Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
- 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 (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
- Master of Science (MSc)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Psychology
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | PSYC 111 Brain and Behaviour PSYC 112 Human Thought and Behaviour Either STAT 110 Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics is recommended | 18 18 |
| 200-level | PSYC 210 Principles of Psychological Research PSYC 211 Brain and Cognition PSYC 212 Social and Applied Psychology | 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | Four of: Students intending to advance to postgraduate study should also take PSYC 311 Quantitative Methods | 72 |
| Plus | 198 further points which may include STAT 110 or STAT 115; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts | 198 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) in Psychology
| Papers |
|---|
|
Or, for students granted provisional admission to PGDipClPs
|
Prerequisites: |
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Psychology
The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) programme in Psychology is the same as the programme for the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)).
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis)) in Psychology
| Thesis |
|---|
Note: Students who have not completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA(Hons)) in Psychology or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Subjects (PGDipArts) in Psychology must complete the required papers for the BA(Hons) in Psychology prior to undertaking the thesis. |
Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Psychology
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | PSYC 111 Brain and Behaviour PSYC 112 Human Thought and Behaviour Either STAT 110 Statistical Methods or STAT 115 Introduction to Biostatistics is recommended | 18 18 |
| 200-level | PSYC 210 Principles of Psychological Research PSYC 211 Brain and Cognition PSYC 212 Social and Applied Psychology | 18 18 18 |
| 300-level | Four of: Students intending to advance to postgraduate study should also take PSYC 311 Quantitative Methods | 72 |
| Plus | 198 further points which may include STAT 110 or STAT 115; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science | 198 |
| Total | 360 |
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Psychology
| Papers |
|---|
|
Or, for students granted provisional admission to PGDipClPs
|
Prerequisites: |
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Psychology
| Papers |
|---|
Or
|
Master of Science (MSc) in Psychology
| Papers and Thesis |
|---|
|
Minor subject requirements
Psychology as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, BACom, BASc or BComSc degree
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level |
PSYC 111 Brain and Behaviour PSYC 112 Human Thought and Behaviour |
18 18 |
| 200-level |
PSYC 210 Principles of Psychological Research PSYC 211 Brain and Cognition PSYC 212 Social and Applied Psychology |
18 18 18 |
| 300-level |
One of PSYC 313, PSYC 315, PSYC 317, PSYC 318, PSYC 319, PSYC 321, PSYC 324, PSYC 325, PSYC 326, PSYC 327, PSYC 328, PSYC 329, PSYC 330 |
18 |
| Total | 108 |
Papers
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a selection of on-campus papers will be made available via distance and online learning for eligible students.
Find out which papers are available and how to apply on our COVID-19 website
Key information for students
Contact us
Department of Psychology
William James Building
275 Leith Walk
Dunedin 9016
Tel +64 3 479 7644
Email psychology@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/psychology
