Why Study / Key Benefits

The Psychology major within Massey University’s Bachelor of Science (BSc) gives students a scientific and research-oriented foundation in human behaviour, cognition, brain processes and psychological research. Massey describes psychology as a subject that examines how people perceive, learn, think, develop, behave and relate to others, while also considering the effects of culture, gender, poverty and mental health on behaviour and wellbeing.

Key benefits include:

• A science-based undergraduate psychology education.
• Study of both biological and social dimensions of psychology.
• Research-methods training, including measurement, study design, data analysis and communication of research findings.
• Choice of advanced topics including clinical, forensic, health, community, experimental and organisational psychology.
• Opportunity to combine Psychology with a compatible BSc minor, such as Human Nutrition, Physiology, Exercise and Sport Science or Earth Science.
• Flexible study through Auckland, Manawat? or distance/online options.
• A foundation for postgraduate psychology study and, subject to subsequent postgraduate admission and professional requirements, progression toward professional psychology pathways.
• Massey states that it graduates more clinical psychologists than any other university in New Zealand. Its Psychology subject is also ranked in the world's top 300 by QS.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Psychology major is 120 credits within the 360-credit BSc.

100-level foundation:

At Auckland, Manawat and distance, students take:

• 247113 Science and Sustainability for Science
• 161111 Applied Statistics or 161122 Statistics
• One science/mathematics option such as 124103 Biophysical Principles, 160101 Calculus, 160102 Algebra, 160104 Introductory Mathematics for Science or 160105 Methods of Mathematics
• 175102 Psychology as a Natural Science
• 175101 Psychology as a Social Science is recommended
• Three additional 100-level electives, including at least one BSc Schedule A course.

200-level Psychology:

Compulsory:

• 175203 Introduction to Psychological Research – 15 credits

Choose 45 credits from:

• 175201 Social Psychology
• 175205 Brain and Behaviour
• 175206 Memory and Cognition
• 175210 Ng? Tirohanga Rua o te Taha Hinengaro: Bicultural Perspectives in Psychology.

300-level Psychology:

Choose 60 credits from:

• 175301 Community Psychology
• 175302 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
• 175303 The Practice of Psychological Research
• 175304 The Psychology of Security
• 175306 Assessment of Individual Differences
• 175309 Forensic Psychology
• 175311 Psychology of Women
• 175317 Health Psychology
• 175318 Conducting Psychological Research
• 175343 People, Management and Careers at Work
• 175345 Work Psychology.

The subject content therefore covers areas such as:

• Social psychology
• Brain and behaviour
• Memory and cognition
• Bicultural and M?ori perspectives
• Community psychology
• Clinical psychology and mental distress
• Psychological research
• Security
• Psychological assessment
• Forensic psychology
• Psychology of women
• Health psychology
• Organisational/work psychology
• Personnel and career development.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme is the Psychology major within the Bachelor of Science.

There are no separate formal Psychology sub-specialisations listed for this BSc major. However, students can develop an area of interest through their 200- and 300-level course choices.

Students can also complete an optional minor in a different subject. Massey identifies several BSc minors that are particularly compatible with Psychology:

• Earth Science
• Exercise and Sport Science
• Human Nutrition
• Physiology.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 7 Bachelor of Science.
• 360-credit undergraduate degree.
• Three years full-time.
• Psychology major worth 120 credits.
• Auckland, Manawat? and distance/online study options.
• Scientific and research-based approach to psychology.
• Exposure to clinical, forensic, community, health, cognitive, social and organisational psychology.
• Research training begins at 200 level and becomes more applied at 300 level.
• Optional minor to broaden the degree.
• Massey reports that its Psychology subject is ranked in the world's top 300 by QS.
• Massey states that it graduates more clinical psychologists than any other New Zealand university.
• The BSc can provide a foundation for postgraduate psychology study.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that psychology graduates can work in many settings where understanding human behaviour and interactions is useful.

Career areas listed by Massey include:

• Human resource management
• Rehabilitation psychology
• Business psychology
• Teaching
• Scientific research
• Public health
• Counselling
• Defence psychology
• Special education.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current BSc Psychology page is open to international students both on campus in New Zealand and online outside New Zealand.
• There are currently no Psychology-specific academic entry requirements beyond Massey's university admission regulations.
• Students should carefully follow prerequisites because several 200- and 300-level Psychology courses require earlier Psychology courses.
• Massey specifically recommends including 175102 Psychology as a Natural Science in the first year so that students can progress to 175203 Introduction to Psychological Research in the second year.
• Some courses have restrictions against similar courses, meaning students cannot necessarily take both courses where their content overlaps.
• Distance courses may include compulsory contact workshops.
• For students intending to become registered psychologists, this BSc is only the undergraduate stage; professional registration requires subsequent approved postgraduate training.
• The current programme page does not identify an additional interview, portfolio, audition or work-experience requirement.
• IPU-specific admission, credit-transfer, partnership or articulation information for this particular Massey BSc Psychology: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying the BSc Psychology in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Cost: from NZD 850
• Maximum stay: up to 4 years
• Processing: 80% within 8 weeks
• Application: online
• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before travelling to New Zealand.

Students generally need:

• 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 insurance.
• Evidence meeting health and character requirements where applicable.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.

Living-cost funds:

• NZD 20,000 per year for tertiary study lasting one year or more.
• Evidence can include bank statements, paid accommodation evidence, scholarships, education loans or acceptable sponsorship/financial undertaking.

Work rights:

• Eligible student visa holders may be allowed to work up to 25 hours per week while studying.
• Full-time work may be allowed during scheduled holidays, depending on the visa conditions.
• For full-time holiday work rights, Immigration New Zealand requires evidence that the course has a value of 120 credits and other applicable conditions are met.