Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Psychological Science provides broad study across psychology, covering human thought, growth, behaviour and capability.
• Students examine how the brain functions and how environment, culture and relationships influence behaviour and wellbeing.
• The degree develops observational, technical, laboratory, research and ethical skills.
• Students can specialise their study through a Psychological Science minor in areas such as forensic psychology, neuroscience, psychological wellbeing and workplace psychology.
• The programme includes a final-year work-integrated learning course involving an industry partner and a real-world problem.
• UC highlights opportunities to develop skills relevant to mental health, communication, scientific research and professional development.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The degree combines compulsory Psychology courses with a Psychological Science minor and elective/second-minor study.

Year 1 compulsory courses:

• PSYC105 – Introductory Psychology: Brain, Behaviour and Cognition
• PSYC106 – Introductory Psychology: Social, Personality and Developmental
• PSYC107 – Foundations of Psychological Science
• SPSC114 – The Art and Science of Human Communication
• One approved additional course.

PSYC105 introduces areas such as positive psychology, wellbeing, perception, research methods, learning and behaviour change, forensic psychology, neuropsychology, drugs and behaviour, memory and cognition, and health psychology. PSYC106 covers personality, abnormal, social, developmental and organisational psychology.

Year 2 compulsory courses:

• PSYC206 – Introductory Research Methods and Statistics
• PSYC207 – Developmental Psychology
• PSYC208 – Cognition
• PSYC213 – Introduction to Social Psychology
• PSYC215 – Introductory Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience.

Year 3 compulsory courses:

• PSYC375 – Intermediate Research Methods and Statistics
• PSYC377 – Psychology in Action: Bridging Theory and Practice
• PSYC379 – Introduction to Psychopathology.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The BPsycSc does not use traditional majors within Psychological Science. Instead, students complete a 60-point Psychological Science minor.

Current Psychological Science minor options are:

• Forensic Psychology
• M?ori and Indigenous Perspectives
• Neuroscience and Cognition
• Psychological Wellbeing
• Psychology for Common Good
• Workplace Psychology.

Students can also choose a second minor from Psychological Science or other UC subjects.

Possible second-minor areas include:

• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Education
• Environmental Science
• Geography
• Health Education
• Human Resource Management
• Human Services
• Linguistics
• M?ori and Indigenous Studies
• Marketing
• Media and Communication
• Nutrition
• Pacific Studies
• Philosophy
• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sociology
• Statistics
• Te Reo Maori
• Youth and Community Leadership
• and other approved areas.

Programme Highlights

• 360-point undergraduate Psychology qualification.
• 3 years full-time.
• February and July intakes.
• Broad foundation across psychological science.
• Six specialised Psychological Science minor options.
• Option to add a second minor.
• Research methods and statistics integrated into the core programme.
• Study of cognition, development, social psychology and neuroscience.
• Introduction to psychopathology.
• Practical, industry-engaged final-year learning.
• Opportunities to develop laboratory, technical, observational and ethical skills.
• Strong interdisciplinary options through subjects outside Psychology.

Career Outcomes

The degree can support careers involving people, research, health, government, social services, business and community organisations.

UC specifically states that graduates work in:

• Psychology-related roles
• Healthcare
• Local and central government ministries
• Non-governmental organisations.

Depending on the student's minor and further qualifications, potential career areas can include:

• Mental health and wellbeing services
• Research
• Policy and government
• Social services
• Human resources
• Workplace/organisational settings
• Marketing and communications
• Community programmes
• Forensic and justice-related environments.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The BPsycSc is currently an active UC qualification.
• UC's current programme page lists February and July starts.
• The degree remains 360 points and 3 years full-time.
• UC has introduced/expanded work-integrated learning through PSYC377, where students work with an industry partner on a real-world problem.
• Some Psychology courses are available by distance learning, but the entire qualification should not be assumed to be fully online.
• Individual courses can have prerequisites, particularly at higher levels.
• Students intending to progress to professional psychology should plan their undergraduate course choices carefully because particular Psychology courses may be required for postgraduate pathways. UC's Psychology subject information identifies specific courses needed for some postgraduate Psychology programmes.
• There is no special secondary-school subject requirement for entry to the BPsycSc. 

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying the BPsycSc full-time in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an acceptable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence of ability/intention to leave New Zealand when required.
• Medical or police certificates where applicable.