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There are several good reasons to continue your postgraduate study in psychology.

We are:

  • ranked in the top 50 Psychology departments list internationally four years in a row
  • the highest ranked department in the University of Otago
  • a highly inclusive department that takes immense pride in our students

We give you:

  • first-rate research opportunities with a diverse and interesting range of projects to choose from
  • exceptional teaching and supervision by world renowned researchers
  • exceptional technical and administrative support

Find out more about postgraduate study in Psychology

Read about Graduate Research in Psychology (PDF)

Read the department magazine think. (1st Edition) produced by OPSYC (Otago Psychology Student Committee)

Read the department magazine think. (2nd Edition) produced by OPSYC (Otago Psychology Student Committee)

Read our student profiles

Find out what some of our graduates are doing now

Postgraduate coordinating staff

Master's Degree Coordinator

Professor Mike Colombo

PhD Coordinator

Associate Professor Liana Machado

Director, Clinical Psychology Training

Associate Professor Richard Linscott

Administrator

Lynne Ando

Overview

The Department of Psychology offers programmes leading to a Masters or a PhD degree. Acceptance of students for higher degree programmes depends upon the availability of a Department of Psychology staff member with relevant research interests to supervise the thesis. The Department also offers a postgraduate programme leading to a professional qualification in clinical psychology.

  • Students who have completed a Bachelor's degree may be eligible to enrol for a Master's degree by Papers and Thesis. This option is discussed in the Psychology 400 section
  • Students who have completed a four year Honours degree or the equivalent (eg, Postgraduate Diploma in Arts or Sciences) may apply for entry to Master's degree (MA or MSc) by thesis only or to a PhD
  • Students applying for entry to a Master's degree by thesis or to a PhD are normally expected to have the equivalent of a First Class Honours or Second Class Division I degree
  • Students who have completed a Bachelors degree in Psychology are eligible to apply for admission to the clinical psychology training programme to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PGDipClPs)

Helpful information for postgraduate students

You can find further information in the following handbooks:

Masters' handbook
PhD handbook

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