Master of Science (MSc) in Psychology
Dunedin, New Zealand
DURATION
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
Master of Science (MSc) in Psychology
The Master of Science (MSc) is a two-year degree which encompasses both coursework and research. The first year involves mainly coursework and preliminary research preparation. Students will have the opportunity to contribute to existing fields of research, or to begin to develop new areas.
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
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the university website for more information.
Curriculum
- The degree may be awarded in any of the subjects listed above. With the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences) the degree may be awarded in a subject not listed above.
- The Program of study shall be as prescribed for the subject concerned.
- A candidate whose qualification for entry to the Program is the degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours or the Postgraduate Diploma in Science or equivalent may achieve the degree after a minimum of one year of further study, normally by completing a thesis or equivalent as prescribed in the MSc Schedule.
- A candidate may be exempted from some of the prescribed papers on the basis of previous study.
- A candidate shall, before commencing the investigation to be described in a thesis, secure the approval of the Head of the Department concerned for the topic, the supervisor(s), and the proposed course of the investigation.
- A candidate may not present a thesis which has previously been accepted for another degree.
- A candidate taking the degree by papers and thesis must pass both the papers and the thesis components.
- For the thesis, the research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.
Subject areas
View the list of subjects offered for the Master of Science (MSc) and the Master of Applied Science (MAppSc).
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Science
- Computational Modelling
- Computer Science
- Consumer Food Science
- Ecology
- Economics
- Electronics
- Energy Science and Technology
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Science
- Food Science
- Genetics
- Geographic Information Systems
- Geography
- Geology
- Geophysics
- Human Nutrition
- Immunology
- Information Science
- Marine Science
- Mathematics
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Physics
- Physiology
- Plant Biotechnology
- Psychology
- Sport, Exercise and Health
- Statistics
- Surveying
- Toxicology
- Wildlife Management
- Zoology
Program Outcome
Level of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
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
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, 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.
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.