Program Overview

Introduction to the School of Psychological Sciences

The School of Psychological Sciences at Victoria University of Wellington offers a range of programs for students interested in pursuing a career in psychology. The school is committed to providing a comprehensive education in psychology, with a focus on both theoretical and practical aspects of the field.

Undergraduate Study

The school offers several undergraduate programs, including:

• Bachelor of Psychology
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Arts
• Graduate Diploma in Science
• Graduate Diploma in Arts

These programs provide students with a solid foundation in psychology, as well as the opportunity to explore other areas of interest.

Postgraduate Study

The school also offers several postgraduate programs, including:

• Graduate Diploma in Science
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science
• Bachelor of Science with Honours
• Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology
• Master of Science in Psychology
• Master of Science in Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience
• Master of Science in Cross-Cultural Psychology
• Master of Science in Forensic Psychology
• Master of Science by thesis
• PhD

These programs are designed to provide students with advanced training in psychology, as well as the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of interest.

Research Areas

The school has a strong research focus, with several research labs and areas of specialization, including:

• Affective and Criminal Neuroscience Lab
• Autobiographical Memory Lab
• CACR
• Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Lab
• Cognitive Neuropsychology Lab
• Conceptual Psychopathology Lab
• Early Intervention in Mental Health Lab
• Emotion, Lifespan & Memory Group
• Emotions, Love, and Motivation Lab
• Infant and Child Cognition Lab
• Mind in Context Lab
• Mind, Language, and Culture Lab
• Neurorecovery and Contextual Sciences Lab
• Romantic Relationships Lab
• Social Cognition Lab
• Te Whnau Lab
• Vision and Cognition Lab
• Youth Forensic Psychology Research Lab
• JAWS Study

Cognitive Science Major

The school offers a Cognitive Science major, which explores human cognition, including processes like perception, memory, language, and decision-making. This major combines specialized psychology courses with those from computer science, artificial intelligence, philosophy, and linguistics.

Future Careers

Graduates with a Cognitive Science major can pursue careers in fields such as user experience, interaction design, data science, artificial intelligence, and other design applications.

Learn from Experts

The Cognitive Science major is led by Associate Professor Gina Grimshaw, a cognitive scientist who uses virtual reality to study how our emotional states change how we think and behave.

Student Support

The school provides a range of support services for students, including academic advising, career counseling, and research opportunities.

Facilities

The school is located on the Kelburn Campus of Victoria University of Wellington, which provides access to a range of facilities, including libraries, laboratories, and computer labs.