Dunedin, New Zealand
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Introduction
Bachelor of Science (BSc) Majoring in Psychology
The Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a three-year undergraduate degree which enables each student to develop his or her own interests in a science subject (science major) and related subjects. Students have the flexibility to combine their major subject with other science subjects, as well as subjects from other disciplines across the University.
Why study Psychology?
The Department of Psychology at Otago has a highly-regarded teaching Program and is internationally renowned for the strength of its research.
The research conducted in the Department of Psychology addresses problems in areas as diverse as sleep disorders, industrial relations, phobias, drug rehabilitation, aircraft safety, hyperactivity in children, how nonhuman animals think, as well as how the brain works.
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
Psychology is a very popular course. In it, you will learn:
how the brain stores memories and processes information
why drugs, head injuries and hormones influence behaviour
how parents' behaviour influences their children's development
how our abilities change from childhood to old age
how emotions affect our reasoning
how prejudice and stereotypes arise
what underlies disorders such as schizophrenia and dementia
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Curriculum
Every Program of study for the degree
- shall consist of papers worth not less than 360 points
- shall include at least 180 points for papers above 100-level, of which at least 72 points shall be for papers above 200-level
- shall satisfy the requirements for at least one of the major subjects listed above. No paper above 200-level may count for more than one Major Subject Requirement
- may include one or more optional minor subjects which satisfy the Minor Subject Requirements listed in Science Schedule A, or Arts and Music Schedule A, Commerce Schedule A, or Applied Science Schedule A, or BHealSc Schedule Part 2. No paper may count for both a Major and a Minor Subject Requirement or for more than one Minor Subject Requirement unless that paper is at 100- or 200-level and is specified as compulsory for both Requirements.
- may include papers which are not listed in Science Schedule C either:
- up to 90 points; or
- as specified in the Science Major Subject Requirements and/or the Science subjects in the Minor Subject Requirements; or
- as specified in the Minor Subject Requirements.
- up to 90 points; or
- as specified in the Science Major Subject Requirements and/or the Science subjects in the Minor Subject Requirements; or
- as specified in the Minor Subject Requirements.
Major Subject Areas
For a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree you must major in at least one of the following subjects:
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Ecology
- Economics
- Electronics (no new enrolments)
- Energy Science and Technology
- Exercise and Sport Science
- Food Science
- Genetics
- Geography
- Geology
- Human Nutrition
- Information Science
- Land Planning and Development
- Mathematics
- Marine Science (enrolments for 2022 will be available for this subject from the end of July 2021)
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Oceanography (not offered from 2022)
- Pharmacology
- Physics
- Physiology
- Plant Biotechnology
- Psychology
- Sport Development and Management
- Statistics
- Surveying Measurement
- Zoology
Minor Subject Areas
Selecting a minor subject is not compulsory and there may be other combinations of papers more appropriate to your degree. There are no particular subject requirements for the other papers of your degree, but if you wish you may have another subject specified as a minor subject in your degree by passing the prescribed papers for any of the listed subjects.
- Full list of available minor subject areas.
Program Tuition Fee
Career 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, Marketing, Neuroscience, English, Physical Education, Management, Applied Science, Philosophy, Education, or Health Sciences.
There are many careers in Psychology in New Zealand and overseas, including positions as scientists in universities, government agencies, organisations, and industry. Otago graduates are studying pilot error in aviation, learning deficits in children, the causes of rugby injuries, the biological basis of memory, and the effectiveness of alcohol and drug rehabilitation.
Otago also offers training in Clinical Psychology for those wanting to work in health-related services. Clinical Psychologists work in hospitals, private practice, and in the Department of Corrections. Many of our Clinical Psychology graduates work for a time overseas particularly in the UK or Australia.
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) is also available.
A specific aim of the Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) degree is to develop advanced theoretical and research skills and in so doing to provide a platform for an advanced professional or academic career.
Program delivery
Application Details
Applicants must apply online. They should also attach all the necessary supporting documents which includes scanned copies of their official high school or foundation transcripts (awards gained, marks, grades); scanned copies of the relevant official transcripts of previous university study; and provide proof of their identity: this is usually achieved by providing a certified copy of the personal details page of their passport or a birth certificate (in English). Applicants may also be required to submit an Educational Credential Evaluators report (ECE). As soon as applicants have completed their online application, their proof of identity document must be posted to International Office, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. International student applications for semester 1/summer school study close: Oct-31; Semester 2 study close: Apr-30.