The School of Psychology’s staff members have an excellent reputation for research of international significance and for top-quality teaching, professional training and research mentorship.
Maybe you’re thinking about studying with us as an undergraduate student. Maybe you’re interested in the research that we pursue, as we try to answer questions ranging from evolution to language, from neuroscience to forming lasting relationships, to maintaining positive mental health.
The best part of our job is working with motivated, enthusiastic students, helping them to develop their skills so that they can answer their own questions and become psychological professionals in their own right.
We are especially proud of our Māori and Pacific Psychology research group and our School of Psychology Tuākana programme, which seeks to create an inclusive and dynamic space for Māori and Pacific students.
Consider joining one of our postgraduate research programmes. Our research interests are wide-ranging, spanning many aspects of psychology from evolution to neuroscience, and from sensory science to forming lasting relationships and maintaining positive mental health.
We try to answer questions ranging from evolution to language, from neuroscience to forming lasting relationships, to maintaining positive mental health.
Professor Suzanne PurdyHead of School
Researchers in Psychology use a range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies including indigenous, community, critical and societal approaches to psychology.
Whatever your interest in Psychology and our school I hope you find information on our website that helps answer your questions.
We’re proud of the work that we do and our diverse and talented staff and students as we seek to make a difference for New Zealand and other communities.
If you’re interested in studying Psychology, we’d love you to join us.
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour. We offer general psychology programmes at all academic levels, or you can choose to specialise. Browse the options below for more.
Clinical Psychology
This doctoral programme is concerned with the assessment and treatment of mental illness and behavioural problems.
Health Psychology
This Faculty of Medical and Health Science programme is has a focus on human behaviour in the context of health and illness.
Speech Science
Our postgraduate programme in Speech Science covers the areas of speech, language and swallowing difficulties.
Applied Behaviour Analysis
Prepare for professional practice in the area of applied behaviour analysis.
Explore Applied Behaviour Analysis
Subject overview
Psychology is a fascinating and wide-ranging subject that varies from a scientific to more personal approach. Psychologists create theories based on data, analysing simple behaviour – from that observed in animals to the more complex verbal emotional responses of people. Psychology can be strongly theoretical or highly practical.
Research in the School of Psychology is focused in areas such as social psychology, cognitive neuroscience, child development, learning, and psychological and developmental disabilities. Laboratory or field work is an important part of psychology, and you will develop practical skills in these areas.
You’ll love studying Psychology if you want more understanding of how people (and sometimes animals) think, feel and behave.
Where can Psychology take you?
Psychology is a versatile subject that can take you into many different career paths. You could work in the fields of mental health, research, industry and marketing, education or counselling. Alternatively you can work within a business environment that uses psychological tests, statistical analyses, or survey and questionnaire development. Furthermore, staff recruitment, human resources, personnel training and evaluation are areas in which a lot of psychology graduates are employed. Research careers can be developed in neural function and cognitive science.