Graduate Study - Honours in Psychology

• Background
• Entry Requirement
• Honours Degree Structure
• Enrolling for an Honours Degree
  • International Students
  • Selection Process
• Contact

Note: Graduates in subjects other than Psychology will need to complete a Graduate Diploma of Science (GradDipSc in psychology) before applying for Honours in Psychology.

Background

The Honours degree provides a stepping stone to graduate level research, it is equivalent to PART 1 of a Masters (MA or MSc) or PhD degree. In addition to an Honours degree the School offers two area specific masters programmes;

• MSc Cross Cultural Psychology and
• MSC Cognitive Behavioural Neuroscience

Before advancing into postgraduate students will need to complete an Honours degree or Part 1 of the relevant programme. At the conclusion of a VUW psychology graduate degree students are expected to have an exemplary grounding in psychology, including considerable topical knowledge, methodological background, analytical skills and will have developed high quality oral and written communication skills.

Entry Requirements

Entry into an honours degree is based upon:

• the completion of an undergraduate degree in psychology;
• a B+ grade average (taken from the three best PSYC courses); and
• overall academic performance will also be taken into consideration.

In addition to these basic requirements, students from VUW must have completed PSYC 325 Advanced Research Methods. PSYC 325 is the pre-requisite for the compulsory research course PSYC 489, and will provide the foundations of the research methodology required for graduate and postgraduate study.

Students applying from other universities will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Degree Structure

To complete an Honours degree requires 120 points of study in 400 level courses. Typically this would consist of six 15 point trimesterised psychology courses and the full year research project as depicted in Figure 1.
Courses outside of psychology may be taken with approval from the Graduate Coordinator in addition to approval from the relevant School.

Figure 1. Structure of a full year programme of study

Students enrolled in an Honours degree will be awarded a distinction of honours for example, first class Honours, second class honours first division.

Students need to be aware that:

• that a maximum of 60 points of 400 level courses can be taken for each trimester
• courses outside of psychology may be taken with approval from the Graduate Coordinator
• PSYC 400 level courses are limited entry and must be applied for to the School of Psychology
• that when selecting courses students will need to choose double the amount actually required for each trimester, then rank in order of preference

The postgraduate prospectus is available from the School website and from the School reception. Students should refer to the prospectus for further information regarding the degree and course information.

Enrolling for the Psychology Graduate Programme

Applications are made online via the Online Enrolment System. All students will apply online, unless you are an international student. In the instance of a current VUW student applying mid year, the student should obtain a Change of Course form from Faculty and make an appointment with the Graduate Coordinator or Graduate Administrator to discuss entry.

Students should note that for each course chosen an alternative course is required. Courses should be ranked in order of preference for each trimester. There are 15 places per course available. Should a course be full to capacity the alternative courses will be used.

Students should refer to the Degree Structure and the Postgraduate Prospectus for further information about the programme and course information.

Students coming to Victoria for the first time will need to submit an academic transcript. Selection into the honours programme and courses will be made on the information available. The closing dates for applications are:

• 10 December (full year and or Trimester 1 courses)
• 1 June (trimester 2 courses)

International Students

International students will need to contact Victoria International to begin the admission and enrolment process. As international applications can take time to process, students are advised to submit their application well in advance of the closing dates.

Students will need to select courses for each trimester with alternatives in case courses are unavailable. Courses should be ranked in order of preference. This information should be included in the information given to Victoria International.

The closing date for applications are:

• 10 December (full year and or Trimester 1 courses)
• 1 June (trimester 2 courses)

Contact

For any graduate (Honours) enquires please feel free to contact the Graduate Coordinator or the Graduate Administrator.

Level 6, School of Psychology
Easterfield Building
Kelburn Parade, Kelburn Campus
Wellington