Why Study / Key Benefits

Massey’s BA in Psychology examines human thoughts, feelings and behaviour in social, cultural, biological and natural-science contexts. Students study both the social-science and natural-science dimensions of psychology, together with psychological research methods and applications.

Key benefits include:

• Study of perception, cognition, learning and the biological foundations of behaviour.
• Understanding emotions, individual differences, relationships and social influences.
• Development of research, analytical, communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
• Exposure to psychological research methods, measurement, study design, data analysis and communication of research findings.
• Applied learning opportunities at undergraduate level, including final-year options covering areas such as forensic, experimental and community psychology.
• Opportunities to explore how psychology relates to culture, health, education, communities, workplaces, security and the legal system.
• Massey states that it graduates more researchers and clinical psychologists than any other university in New Zealand and has connections with community and statutory organisations. This is an institutional statement rather than a guarantee of an individual student's career outcome.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Psychology major is 120 credits. Students must complete the three compulsory Psychology courses and then select further Psychology courses according to the major requirements.

Compulsory Psychology courses

• 175101 Psychology as a Social Science – introduces psychology as the scientific study of human behaviour, with emphasis on individual differences, social influences, terminology, methods and techniques.
• 175102 Psychology as a Natural Science – examines behavioural, perceptual and cognitive processes, together with biological mechanisms and cultural context.
• 175203 Introduction to Psychological Research – covers psychological research methods, measurement, study design, data analysis and communication of research results.

The 175203 course requires 175102 as a prerequisite.

Other Psychology subject areas

Depending on the student's course selections and prerequisites, topics include:

• Introduction to Indigenous Psychologies
• Social Psychology
• Brain and Behaviour
• Memory and Cognition
• Bicultural Perspectives in Psychology
• Community Psychology
• Introduction to Clinical Psychology
• The Practice of Psychological Research
• Psychology of Security
• Assessment of Individual Differences
• Forensic Psychology
• Psychology of Women
• Gender and Violence
• Advanced Indigenous Psychologies
• Health Psychology
• Conducting Psychological Research
• People, Management and Careers at Work
• Work Psychology.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Psychology major itself covers several interconnected areas rather than requiring students to select a formal named specialisation.

Areas available through the Psychology course selection include:

• Social psychology
• Biological psychology
• Cognitive psychology
• Indigenous and bicultural psychology
• Community psychology
• Clinical psychology
• Health psychology
• Forensic psychology
• Psychological research
• Work and organisational psychology
• Psychology of security
• Gender and psychology.

Programme Highlights

• Psychology combines natural science and social science approaches.
• Students study human behaviour in biological, social and cultural contexts.
• Research methods are integrated into the major.
• Applied Psychology courses are available at undergraduate level, including final-year options.
• The major provides flexibility to select areas of interest rather than following one narrow career pathway.
• Students can combine Psychology with a minor or, where permitted, other BA study options.
• Massey states that its Psychology teaching and research has national and international recognition.
• Massey is currently ranked in the world's top 300 universities for Psychology by QS, according to the programme page

Career Outcomes

A BA in Psychology can provide knowledge and transferable skills relevant to a wide range of careers. Massey specifically identifies potential employment areas including:

• Counselling
• Human resources
• Public health
• Youth support
• Policy
• Rehabilitation psychology
• Scientific research
• Special education. 

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current programme page confirms that:

• The Psychology major remains a 120-credit major within the 360-credit BA.
• 175101, 175102 and 175203 are core Psychology courses.
• 175102 is a prerequisite for 175203 and several later Psychology courses.
• 300-level study is an important component of completing the BA.
• Course availability can vary by campus and study mode from year to year.
• Students planning progression to Massey’s Master in Educational and Developmental Psychology are strongly advised to include 60 credits of Education courses in their BA Psychology.
• Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree may be able to replace certain BA core courses through a special-permission process. 

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student who will study the BA Psychology on campus in New Zealand, the usual route is the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for living costs or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health, character and genuine-intention requirements.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.
• Full-time study in the approved course.
• Students already holding a student visa must demonstrate satisfactory progress and attendance