Masters in Psychology in New Zealand is a 1 to a 2-year professional qualification that enables students to practise under Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (2003). There are 7 New Zealand universities offering Masters in Psychology with a curriculum comprising theoretical, practical, and internship components. Students can opt for health psychology, cross-cultural psychology, forensic psychology, etc.
The annual tuition fees for pursuing Masters in Psychology in New Zealand is seen to be around 38,000 NZD to 50,000 NZD (20.05 lakhs - 26.38 lakhs INR) per year. Compared to fees, the salary is much higher for graduates of Masters in Psychology from New Zealand universities. According to payscale.com, the graduates of Masters in Psychology in New Zealand typically earn an average salary of 67,000 NZD (35.36 lakhs INR) per year.
Also Check: Top Bachelor of Psychology Universities/Colleges in New Zealand
Highlights
| Duration | 1 - 2 years |
| Eligibility | Bachelor’s in similar fields with minimum of 60% |
| Test Scores | IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL-iBT: 90 | PTE: 58 |
| Types of Recruiting Organizations | Offices | Hospitals and Health Care Services | Schools and Universities | Prisons | Residential and Community Organizations |
| Similar Fields of Study to Consider | Education | Sociological Studies | Counselling | Speech-Language Therapy |
| Job Profile | Clinical Psychology | Counselling Psychology | Forensic Psychology | Educational Psychology | Organisational Psychology | Health Psychology | Community Psychology | Child and Family Psychology |
| Tuition Fee Range | 38,000 NZD to 50,000 NZD (20.05 lakhs - 26.38 lakhs INR) per year |
| Average Salary Offered | 67,000 NZD (35.36 lakhs INR) |
Top Universities for Masters in Psychology in New Zealand
Following are the top universities in New Zealand for Masters in Psychology with their QS Ranking of 2023 for this program:
| University | Program Offered | Application Deadline | Total Program Fees (in NZD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | Master of Health Psychology | December 1, 2022 (Closed) | 96,772 |
| University of Otago | MA and MS in Psychology | December 10, 2022 (closed) | 89,350 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | MS in Psychology | Round 1 [Mar 1, 2023] | Round 2 [Jul 1, 2023] | Round 3 [Nov 1, 2023] | 10,214 |
| MS in Cross-Cultural Psychology | May Intake [March 1, 2023] | September Intake [July 1, 2023] | 80,900 | |
| MS in Forensic Psychology | Round 1 [Mar 1, 2023] | Round 2 [Jul 1, 2023] | Round 3 [Nov 1, 2023] | 21,306 | |
| University of Canterbury | MS in Applied Psychology | November 1, 2022 (Closed) | 80,000 |
| Massey University | MS in Psychology | November 1, 2022 (Closed) | 49,000 - 61,000 |
| University of Waikato | Master of Applied Psychology | November 1, 2022 (Closed) | 77,830 |
| Auckland University of Technology | Master of Health Science in Psychology | October 31, 2022 (Closed) | 82,748 |
| MA in Psychology | December 1, 2022 (Closed) | 34,074 |
Why Study Masters in Psychology in New Zealand?
Due to the shortage of Psychologists and increasing demand for their services, the job prospects after completion of Masters in Psychology are quite good. Here are some other reasons for pursuing this degree from New Zealand:
- 5 universities offering Masters in Psychology in New Zealand rank among the top 500 universities of the world, according to QS Ranking 2023 for psychology.
- Compared to other countries like the US, the visa application process is faster and takes not more than 30 days.
- Demand for clinical psychologists is listed on the Immigration New Zealand's long term skill shortage list. The government of this country actively encourages professionals skilled in this industry to work here.
- The demand for professionals in this field is projected to grow at an average of 1.3% per annum until 2028.
- With the number of referrals to psychologists in New Zealand increasing and employers in rural areas finding it hard to recruit, the demand for graduates in this field is showing no signs of slowing down.
- Psychologists in New Zealand earn 49% more than counselling professionals.
Masters in Psychology in New Zealand: Admission Process
International students who wish to pursue a master's in psychology are required to have a bachelor's degree in the same or related fields. To secure admission in a master's program in a popular New Zealand university offering this course, one must take English proficiency exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, CAE, or PTE.
Basic Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in psychology/similar field OR bachelors in arts/science with a major in psychology
- 65-70% or above at undergraduate level
- Proof of proficiency in the English language
- IELTS: 6.5 (no section below 6.0)
- TOEFL-iBT: 90
- PTE: 58
- CAE/CPE: 176 (no section below 168)
Note: Similar fields include Education, Education and Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, Speech-Language Therapy, or an approved teacher education degree.
Also Check: How to Apply to Study in New Zealand
Master of Psychology in New Zealand Eligibility Requirements
Admission requirements and English language proficiency scores for top universities offering Masters of Psychology in New Zealand:
| University | Admission Requirements | ELP Scores |
|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | 5.0 GPA or 70-74% in Bachelor’s | IELTS: 6.5 |
| University of Otago | Bachelor’s degree with Psychology as a major subject | IELTS: 6.5 | PTE: 42 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of B+ average or 70-74% | IELTS: 6.0 | TOEFL-iBT: 90 |
| University of Canterbury | Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with minimum of B average or 65-69% | IELTS: 6.5 |
| Massey University | Bachelor’s degree with Psychology (300 level course major) with minimum of B average or 65-69% | IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL-iBT: 90 | PTE: 58 |
| University of Waikato | Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of B+ average or 70-74% | IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL-iBT: 85 |
| Auckland University of Technology | Bachelor’s degree with minimum of B average or 65-69% | IELTS: 6.5 |
Visa Process for International Students
International students are required to apply for a student visa if they wish to study a full-time program in New Zealand. Following are the documents required for application:
- Evidence of identity
- Health Insurance
- Evidence of adequate funds needed during the stay
- Character Certificate
- Offer letter from the university approved by Qualifications Authority of New Zealand
- English Proficiency Test score
- A return air ticket of the native country
- Proof that your stay in New Zealand is genuine
- Travel Insurance
- Proof of leaving when the course ends
Also Check: Student's Spouse Visa for New Zealand
The New Zealand student visa application takes about 25 - 30 days to process. Note that your visa application may be cancelled or rejected by the authorities if you can't prove sufficient funds needed for all your expenses, have any previous criminal records, do not have enough proficiency in the required language, or have misleading data in any documents.
Masters in Psychology in New Zealand: Cost of Studying
The cost of studying abroad can be divided into 3 categories - pre-arrival, college tuition, and living expenses. Wondering how costly it is to study a Master of Psychology in New Zealand? Check out the details below.
Pre-arrival Expenses
Pre-arrival costs include one-time charges such as visa application fees, registration fees of tests required to study in New Zealand, application fees, etc. These are tabulated below:
| Type of Expense | Cost (NZD) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand student visa | 330 | 17,416 |
| IELTS fee | 395 | 20,846 |
| TOEFL fee | 440 | 23,221 |
| Airfare | 450 - 700 | 23,749 - 36,943 |
Tuition Fees of Masters in Psychology in New Zealand
Masters in Psychology in New Zealand costs around 38,000 NZD to 50,000 NZD (20.05 lakhs - 26.38 lakhs INR) per annum.
| University | Annual Fees (NZD) | Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | 48,386 | 25.53 lakhs |
| University of Otago | 44,675 | 23.57 lakhs |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 10,214 (MS in Psychology) | 5.39 lakhs (MS in Psychology) |
| 40,450 (MS in Cross-Cultural Psychology) | 21.34 lakhs (MS in Cross-Cultural Psychology) | |
| 10,653 (MS in Forensic Psychology) | 5.62 lakhs (MS in Forensic Psychology) | |
| University of Canterbury | 40,000 | 21.11 lakhs |
| Massey University | 49,000 | 25.86 lakhs |
| University of Waikato | 38,915 | 20.53 lakhs |
| Auckland University of Technology | 41,374 (Master of Health Science in Psychology) | 21.83 lakhs (Master of Health Science in Psychology) |
| 34,074 (MA in Psychology) | 17.98 lakhs (MA in Psychology) |
Cost of Living in New Zealand
The total accommodation and travel costs in New Zealand are influenced by numerous factors such as the city, rental charges, and travel. The average is estimated to be about 14,000 NZD to 16,000 NZD (73.88 lakhs - 84.44 lakhs INR) per year. Following table breaks down the cost of living in this country for international students:
| Type of Expense | Monthly Cost (NZD) | Monthly Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel | 1000 - 1500 | 52,777 - 79,165 |
| Homestay | 1500 - 2000 | 79,165 - 1.05 lakhs |
| Food | 480 - 550 | 25,333 - 29,027 |
| Travelling | 100 | 5,277 |
Masters in Psychology in New Zealand: Scholarships
Tuition fees coupled with other expenses can be quite an investment, especially for students from countries where the value of a currency is much lower. Despite the high cost of education, New Zealand offers various scholarship programs to help national and international students to aid their schooling financially. Your living and tuition expenses can be fully or partially covered if you qualify for these funding programs. Academic records play an important role in determining who qualifies.
Below is a list of scholarships for Master of Psychology in New Zealand:
| Scholarship | Awarding Institute | Amount Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| International Student Excellence Scholarship | University of Auckland | 9,121 |
| Master of Health Psychology First-Year Student Prize | University of Auckland | 500 |
| AUT International Excellence Scholarship | Auckland University of Technology | 7,500 |
| International Master’s Research Scholarship | University of Otago | 13,438 per annum |
| Otago Coursework Master’s Scholarship | University of Otago | 8,960 |
| International Excellence Scholarship | University of Waikato | 10,000 |
For more scholarships in New Zealand, click here
Masters in Psychology in New Zealand: Scope
The average salary for a person working in the counselling and mental health department in New Zealand is approximately 159,000 NZD (83.91 lakhs INR) and typically ranges between 82,800 NZD to 244,000 NZD (43.69 lakhs to 1.28 Crores INR) per annum. With 2 to 5 years of experience, the pay grade increases by up to 34%.
Following are the available jobs in New Zealand for psychology graduates:
| Job description | Average Annual Salary (NZD) | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologist | 90,463 | 47.74 lakhs |
| Psychologist | 67,481 | 35.61 lakhs |
| Educational Psychologist | 65,572 | 34.60 lakhs |
| Human Resource Advisor | 62,421 | 32.94 lakhs |
Post-Study Work Visa
If a student wishes to work after completion of the course, they can opt for either one of the following post-study work visas in New Zealand:
- Post-study Work Visa (open): Permits students to work with any employer after graduation for a period of 1 month.
- Post-study Visa (employee assisted): With this visa, one may work for up to 2 years in a job relevant to the degree.
Masters in Psychology in New Zealand: University Comparison
The below table shows a comparison of the top three universities offering Masters in Psychology in New Zealand on the basis of program duration, total cost, and admission requirements:
| Basis | University of Auckland | University of Otago | Victoria University of Wellington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years | 2 years | 1 year |
| Total Program Cost | 88,620 NZD | 69,510 NZD | 37,550 NZD |
| GPA Required | 5.0 GPA or 70-74% | Not specified | B+ average or 70-74% |
| ELP Scores | IELTS: 6.5 | IELTS: 6.5 | PTE: 42 | IELTS: 6.0 | TOEFL-iBT: 90 |
| Scholarship | Available | Available | Available |
As New Zealand is home to some of the most prestigious universities offering masters in psychology, it is definitely worth making this investment. Almost all sectors hire counseling consultants which makes the demand for professionals in the field quite high. A master's degree in this field prepares you to work in high paying jobs in a variety of industries in New Zealand and other countries.
FAQs
Ques. What can I do with a Master's in Psychology in New Zealand?
Ans. One can work in various industries with designations such as Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Educational Psychology, Organisational Psychology, Health Psychology, Community Psychology, Child and Family Psychology.
Ques. What is the cost of studying a Masters in Psychology in New Zealand?
Ans. The cost of studying Masters in Psychology in New Zealand 38,000 NZD to 50,000 NZD (20.05 lakhs - 26.38 lakhs INR) per year.
Ques. What is the eligibility for admission to a Master's in Psychology in New Zealand?
Ans. Students with a bachelor's or diploma in similar fields with a minimum of 60% are eligible to apply for a Master of Psychology in New Zealand. International students are also required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE test scores.
Ques. Which university is best for studying Masters in Psychology in New Zealand?
Ans. Some of the best universities for masters in psychology in New Zealand are the University of Auckland, University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington, Massey University, and the University of Canterbury.
Ques. Should I get a Masters in Psychology from New Zealand?
Ans. Salary earned by psychologists in New Zealand is 67,000 NZD (35.36 lakhs INR)per annum while the annual tuition fees are between 38,000 NZD to 50,000 NZD (20.05 lakhs - 26.38 lakhs INR). So, the investment is definitely worth it.
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