3 Best Universities in New Zealand for Psychology

Choosing the right university to study is a crucial decision to make. Your future depends on the kind of university and course you opt for. Thus, assessing each of the NZ college’s strengths, global rankings, course curriculums and more, we’ve shortlisted the three best Psychology Universities in New Zealand.

The best psychology colleges in New Zealand are:

• University of Auckland
• University of Otago
• Victoria University of Wellington

Let us know about each of these colleges offering psychology degree in New Zealand, in detail: 

1. University of Auckland

With strong research as the backbone of teaching, the University of Auckland ranks in the top 1% of universities worldwide (QS World University rankings). The university has also ranked among the top 40 for Psychology studies across the world. So, if you are interested in studying New Zealand psychology courses, this university must be your first preference. The University of Auckland is mostly popular for its clinical psychology courses in New Zealand.

Psychology Course Intakes in NZ: February or July

Psychology Degrees Offered 

The University of Auckland offers various courses in the field of psychology. Look at the table below to get an idea of the courses, tenure and their fees.

Courses Offered	Duration	Fees
Bachelors	3 years	NZ$ 32,000 - 46,000
Post Graduation Diploma	1 year	NZ$ 36,000 - 44,000
Masters	1.5 years	NZ$ 36,000 - 44,000
PhD	3-4 years	NZ$ 7000 NZ$ 44,000 for clinical psychology

What is Taught?

The course includes learning: 

• Human neuroscience
• Learning and behaviour
• Social psychology
• Applied behaviour analysis
• Cognitive science
• Community psychology
• Gender and sexuality
• Educational psychology
• Experimental analysis of the behaviour
• Language and cultural evolution

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2. University of Otago

Otago currently ranks #15 in the best universities for Psychology globally according to  QS World University Rankings. The department of Psychology of the University of Otago holds an international reputation for its excellence in research and teaching in New Zealand. A psychology degree NZ from Otago is well-reputed according to the Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF). You can opt to pursue a masters, diploma or even a PhD psychology degree from the University Of Otago.

Course Intakes: February or July

Psychology Degrees Offered

Have a peek at the courses, their tenure and the fees structure of the same below:

Courses Offered	Duration	Fees
Bachelors	3 year	NZ$ 36,000
Graduation Diploma	1 year	NZ$ 31,000 - 36,000
Post Graduation Diploma	1 year	NZ$ 40,000
Masters	1-1.5 years	NZ$ 40,000
PhD	3 years	NZ$ 7,000

What is Taught?

• Biopsychology
• Social psychology
• Memory and perception
• Development
• Abnormal psychology
• Neuropsychology
• Applied psychology
• Learning and Cognition

3. Victoria University of Wellington

Victoria University is the only university in New Zealand that offers postgraduate programmes in Cross-Cultural Psychology and Forensic Psychology. This university has ranked among the top 100 in the 2021 QS World Rankings. The university also supports the practical learning experience of the students by providing them engaging projects with local schools around or New Zealand’s police and health boards.

Course Intake: February or July

Psychology Degrees Offered

Courses Offered	Duration	Fees
Bachelors	3 years	NZ$ 30,000 - 39,000
Graduate Diploma	2 trimesters	NZ$ 34,000
Graduation Certificate	1 trimester	NZ$ 30,000
Post Graduation Diploma	2 year	NZ$ 40,000
Masters	4 trimesters	NZ$ 39,000
PhD	3 years	NZ$ 9,600

What is Taught?

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience
• Cross-Cultural Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Research

Suggested: Want to pursue a Masters in New Zealand? Here are some of the factors you should know about!

Apart from the above mentioned universities, there are also some other best universities in New Zealand for psychology, such as: 

• Auckland University of Technology
• Waikato University
• Massey University

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Eligibility Criteria and Documents Required to Study Psychology New Zealand

To seek admission in any college or university in New Zealand. You must have the following documents:

• 2 Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
• Statement of Purpose (SOPs)
• Resume
• Certificates of achievements and extracurricular activities. Prioritise those that might be relevant to the course you are applying for.

Suggested: SOP for New Zealand 

Application Process to Study Psychology New Zealand

The admission process of the psychology courses in New Zealand for international students is similar to applying for any other course in New Zealand. The steps to follow are:

Step 1: Shortlist your desired psychology course in New Zealand

Step 2: Make a list of the deadlines and dates for the university admissions

Step 3: Take standardised tests such as IELTS before the admission process

(IELTS score of 6.5 of or above and TOEFL score above 95 assures your entry into most NZ universities.)

Step 4: Keep all documents handy

Step 5: Apply for the course via the university’s website

Step 6: If accepted, prepare documents required for the Student Visa application

Step 7: Apply for a student visa.

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Cost to Study at Best Universities in New Zealand for Psychology 

The cost for New Zealand psychology courses ranges from 10,000 NZD to 40,000 NZD per annum depending on the type of programs, and the universities chosen. 

Along with the tuition fees, the total cost for international students also includes living expenses which range from 5,000 NZD to 10,000 NZD per month. 

Suggested: Cost of Living in New Zealand 

Scholarships Available for New Zealand Psychology Courses 

Let us now help you with some of the most popular scholarships offered for psychology degree in New Zealand through this table below: 

University Of Waikato Tuition Scholarship  University Of Auckland – Summer Scholarships AIWA Lucy Kasparian Aharonian Scholarship Keith And Dorothy Mackay Postgraduate Travelling Scholarships  The University of Otago Scholarships

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Career Prospects after Studying Psychology in New Zealand

If you pursue a psychology course in New Zealand, you have a pool of opportunities to choose from. Some of the possible future occupations for psychologists are:

• Behaviour Analyst
• Clinical or Community Psychologist
• Community Programme Coordinator
• Human Resource Adviser
• Private Practitioner
• Research Scientist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Education Psychologist

On average, a psychology graduate from New Zealand fetches about NZ$ 1,00,000 every year.

Suggested: All about Jobs in New Zealand 

If you now see a bright future for yourself in the field of psychology. The only step forward is to apply to your dream college in New Zealand. To apply to universities in New Zealand, you will have to understand the admission process to pursue psychology in NZ.

Known as the best universities for psychology in New Zealand, the universities maintain the quality of education, be it a Bachelor of psychology NZ or a Diploma in Psychology NZ. The institutions churn out some of the country’s top experts in the field. So, you can be assured of holding a job right after your study. The icing to your muffin is the serene landscapes you’ll get to experience in New Zealand. To know more about scholarships in New Zealand for Indians, get in touch with a Yocket professional to help you through your application.

Frequently Asked Questions about Psychology in New Zealand 

Ques. Where should I study educational psychology in New Zealand?

Ans. If you’re interested in educational or developmental psychology programmes in New Zealand, the universities you should be looking at are Canterbury, Massey and Victoria University of Wellington.

Ques. How to become a psychologist in New Zealand?

Ans. To become a psychologist in New Zealand you will need to:

• Hold a masters or a higher degree
• Conduct 1,500 hrs of supervised practice by the New Zealand Psychologists Board.
• Finally, register as a psychologist under the New Zealand Psychologists Board.

Ques. What is the expected salary of a psychology graduate in New Zealand?

Ans. On average, as a psychology graduate you can earn upto NZ$ 100,000 per year.

Ques. What are some popular scholarships for psychology in New Zealand?

Ans. Some popular scholarships are: 

• University Of Waikato Tuition Scholarship 
• University Of Auckland – Summer Scholarships
• AIWA Lucy Kasparian Aharonian Scholarship
• Keith And Dorothy Mackay Postgraduate Travelling Scholarships 

Ques. What is the average tuition fee for psychology in New Zealand?

Ans. The average tuition is 10,000 NZD to 40,000 NZD.