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There are several good reasons to continue your postgraduate study in psychology.

We are:

  • in the global top 100 in the QS World University Rankings in psychology
  • a highly inclusive department that takes immense pride in our students

We give you:

  • first-rate research opportunities with a diverse and interesting range of projects to choose from
  • exceptional teaching and supervision by world-renowned researchers

Find out more about postgraduate study in Psychology

Postgraduate co‑ordinating staff

Honours and 400-level Co‑ordinator

Professor Tamlin Conner
Email tamlin.conner@otago.ac.nz

400-level Psychology papers

Masters' degrees Co‑ordinator

Professor Mike Colombo
Email mike.colombo@otago.ac.nz

PhD Co‑ordinator

Professor Liana Machado
Email liana@psy.otago.ac.nz

Director, Clinical Psychology Training

Associate Professor Deirdre Brown
Email deirdre.brown@otago.ac.nz

Administrator

Denise Botting
Email psy.postgrad@otago.ac.nz

Overview

The Department of Psychology offers programmes leading to a master's or a PhD degree. Acceptance of students for higher degree programmes depends upon the availability of a Department of Psychology staff member with relevant research interests to supervise the thesis. The Department also offers postgraduate programmes for psychology graduates who wish to seek registration in the Clinical Psychologist or Psychology Assistant scopes of practice.

  • Students who have completed a Bachelor's degree may be eligible to enrol for a master's degree by papers and thesis. This option is discussed in the Psychology 400 section
  • Students who have completed a four-year honours degree or equivalent (e.g. postgraduate diploma) may apply for entry to a master's degree (MA(Thesis) or MSc(Thesis)) by thesis only, or to a PhD
  • Students applying for entry to a master's degree by thesis or to a PhD are normally expected to have the equivalent of a First Class Honours or Second Class Division I degree
  • Students who have completed a bachelor's degree in Psychology are eligible to apply for admission to the clinical psychology training programme to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PGDipClPs), or to the Psychology Assistant training programme to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Assessment and Intervention (PGDipPAI).

For more information about all of our postgraduate programmes, visit:

Postgraduate qualifications offered by the Department of Psychology

Helpful information for postgraduate students

You can find further information in the following handbooks:

Masters' handbook
PhD handbook

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