Bridge the gap between Western and Māori knowledge
In Māori Psychology, you’ll explore both Māori and Western perspectives on psychology. You’ll learn how Māori psychology recognises the interconnectedness of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, or hauora.
You’ll learn how to build relationships with whānau and the wider community, where psychological knowledge is shared in both directions. Choose one of three streams, depending on your interests and work aspirations—Education, Health, or Te Kawa a Maui (Māori Studies). Te Kawa a Maui embeds topics within the broader social, political, and cultural context as it relates to te ao Māori.
Our Māori Psychology major is the first of its kind in Aotearoa. It is multidisciplinary, meaning you’ll take specially designed courses in Māori Psychology alongside others from Education, Health and Māori Studies.
Choose your study path
Māori Psychology is a supplementary major, which means you can include it in your degree alongside another major. You can’t take Māori Psychology as a standalone major.
Māori Psychology works well alongside a number of different majors to complement your learning in your chosen field.
Focus on psychology
If you’d like to include Māori Psychology in your Psychology degree, you’ll include it alongside the required psychology major—Psychological Science.
You could also study Māori Psychology as a second major with:
- Health Psychology, in the Bachelor of Health
- Education Psychology, in the Bachelor of Arts.
As part of another undergraduate degree
You can also choose Māori Psychology as a second major in one of our flexible undergraduate degrees. For example, you could combine Māori Psychology with:
- Māori Studies or Te Reo Māori, in the Bachelor of Arts
- Public Policy, in the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Commerce.
Māori Psychology as a minor subject
You can also include Māori Psychology as a minor subject in most of our Bachelor's degrees.
Study options
Find out how you can study Māori Psychology at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Degree 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.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Future careers
Our Māori Psychology major will give you the skills to become a leader in mātauranga Māori in psychology. If you’re interested in a career working with Māori or in relevant policy positions, this major will give you the skills and expertise you’ll need.
It will be relevant to a variety of roles, such as:
- whānau or support advisor in non-government and government organisations
- consultant in iwi-based organisations
- kaupapa Māori practitioner in the Department of Corrections.
Depending on the subject you pair with Māori Psychology, with further study you could go on to become a counsellor, researcher, or academic.
More career information
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 first year and school-leaver 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 Psychology
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
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The VSPS constitution states "The Psychology Society offers a range of events that enrich the study of psychology, bring together students at all levels of study, and foster a relationship between students and academic staff outside the classrooms".
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
We also offer 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 Psychology
-
The VSPS constitution states "The Psychology Society offers a range of events that enrich the study of psychology, bring together students at all levels of study, and foster a relationship between students and academic staff outside the classrooms".
Postgraduate study
If you choose to continue to postgraduate study with us after finishing your degree, you’ll join a talented team of internationally recognised researchers doing innovative work.
If you get good results in your undergraduate study, you could go on to an Honours degree. You could continue on to study a Master’s or PhD if you want to do independent research.
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.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.