Build skills to support diverse learners
Get the skills and knowledge you need to help people with social or learning difficulties in a range of educational settings.
You’ll have the opportunity to develop and practise your skills under the expert guidance of world-class researchers and practitioners.
Explore a wide range of theoretical viewpoints and their practical applications in educational, community, and workplace settings. Our programme has a bicultural focus and is tailored to meet the needs of communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. Your studies will also prepare you to work in multicultural communities and overseas.
Choose your study path
Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology Practice (PGDipEPP)
The PGDipEPP builds on the MEdPsych and enables you to apply for registration as an educational psychologist. The PGDipEPP is a one-year programme. You’ll complete four 30-point courses alongside a 1,500-hour internship.
Master of Educational Psychology (MEdPsych)
The MEdPsych prepares you to work in agencies that need people with specialised expertise in educational psychology. It’s a two-year programme. If you’re planning to continue on to the PGDipEPP, there is a recommended sequence of courses to complete within the MEdPsych.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Study options
Find out how you can study Postgraduate Educational Psychology at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
If you're studying for the PGDipEPP, you’ll need to secure an employed position—also called a ‘practicum placement’—independently of your PGDipEPP application.
For example, the Ministry of Education provides fixed-term employment for the programme. These positions are often advertised in September, shortly after the PGDipEPP selection process.
More career information
Find out more about careers.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Educational Psychology
-
This Scholarship was established in 2025 to honour Professor Margaret Hyland who held the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at Victoria University of Wellington from 2018 to 2025.
-
This scholarship has been established by a gift from Autism New Zealand to further its mission to empower the autistic and wider autism communities. The scholarship is designed to support Education and Educational Psychology Master’s by thesis students to undertake research evaluating early support for Autistic children.
-
This scholarship is open to any undergraduate or postgraduate student who is currently enrolled full-time in a degree majoring in Education. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, but where more than one top applicant consideration will be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Educational Psychology
-
This scholarship has been established by a gift from Autism New Zealand to further its mission to empower the autistic and wider autism communities. The scholarship is designed to support Education and Educational Psychology Master’s by thesis students to undertake research evaluating early support for Autistic children.
-
This scholarship is open to any undergraduate or postgraduate student who is currently enrolled full-time in a degree majoring in Education. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, but where more than one top applicant consideration will be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Academic staff research areas
Chris Bowden
Director, Educational Psychology
Vanessa Green
Professor of Education
Burt Hatch
Lecturer
Flaviu Hodis
Associate Professor
Jonathan Moore
Lecturer in Educational Psychology
Jeff Sigafoos
Professor
Jessica Tupou
Senior Lecturer in EduPsych
Hannah Waddington
Associate Professor
Kate Witt
Lecturer in Educational Psychology
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.