Psychology Major - Bachelor of Arts

Psychology is the study of human behaviour. It explores what humans need to develop and thrive. This major looks at psychology within the context of our society, where we live and work.

An understanding of psychology is useful for a wide range of careers – including career and employment counselling, community development, management, marketing and communications, politics, public health promotion, or training and development. The Psychology major can also provide the foundation for the postgraduate studies required for registration as a psychologist.

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This is part of the Bachelor of Arts.

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This major introduces you to the main areas of psychology including cognitive, personality, clinical and social psychology. It takes a hands-on approach and provides you with research, assessment and intervention skills.

Apart from the courses below you also need to complete courses from your second major, your chosen minor(s) or electives*

*The Psychology major is bigger than the other Bachelor of Arts majors and makes up half of your degree (180 points). Depending on which subjects you choose to combine with your Psychology major, it may take you a little longer to complete your degree.

Core courses

All Bachelor of Arts students need to complete core courses that help you develop transferable skills and support your work in all other courses in the degree.

Complete one course from each of the following clusters. Each cluster aligns with one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Partnerships and Reduced Inequalities

Peace and Justice, Climate Action and Economic World

Choose one of:

Sustainability, Health and Wellbeing

Choose one of:

Quality Education, Gender Equality and Reduced Poverty

Workplace experience is an important part of your degree, and the Work Integrated Learning course is the final part of your degree. This is a supervised work placement related to your major(s), for an organisation of your choice. It's a great way to get industry experience while still being able to get feedback from AUT lecturers, and for many of our students this workplace experience also leads to a job offer.

Recent placements included:

  • Affinity Services
  • Anxiety New Zealand
  • Auckland City Mission
  • Auckland District Health Board
  • Idea Services
  • Red Cross
  • Women’s Health Action

You could also take the Capstone Psychology Research Project if you’re considering continuing into postgraduate study.

Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?

Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.

Workplace experience in AUT programmes

Psychology courses

If you're majoring in psychology, this is the main subject area you specialise in. It consists of 12 psychology-related courses you study throughout your degree.

Complete the following courses

Choose from the following courses

Complete five of:

And three of:

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  • Career and employment counselling
  • Community development
  • Management
  • Marketing and communications
  • Politics
  • Psychologist*
  • Public health promotion
  • Training and development

* Psychologists are professionals who have completed undergraduate studies in psychology, followed by postgraduate qualifications in a specialist area of professional practice in psychology. Careers include: child or educational psychologist, clinical psychologist, counselling psychologist, forensic psychologist and organisational psychologist.

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Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Psychology Careers

Other psychology study options

Other majors in the Bachelor of Arts

*This major focuses on New Zealand Sign Language and developing the skills to become a Sign Language interpreter. It doesn’t include the option to include courses from different subjects.

Key features
  • Covers the main areas of psychology: cognitive, personality, clinical and social psychology
  • Opens up a wide range of careers
  • Workplace experience in a community organisation or business
  • Option to include subjects from across AUT in your degree
See yourself as
  • Empathetic and ethical
  • Interested in the behaviour of people
  • Analytical and organised
  • Questioning and enquiring
JingJing (Jing) Ly
Leon Simpson
Husna Akbar
Laura Jade Watkinson
Lilli Ford

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.