Change lives: start a career in mental health
Learn the fundamental principles of learning and behaviour, as well as the mechanisms and treatments of psychological problems. Dive into topics like how society perceives mental illness, and the unique challenges of addressing mental health needs within the bicultural context of Aotearoa New Zealand.
In this major you’ll explore biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to psychological problems, and how behavioural treatments can help. You’ll take courses from a range of disciplines, including Psychology, Health, Humanities, Education, and Mathematics and Statistics.
This supplementary major is designed to be taken with the Psychological Science major as part of an undergraduate Psychology degree. With this combination, you’ll build a rich understanding of psychological problems and how we might help alleviate them. It includes all the courses you will need to apply for postgraduate professional psychology training.
Undergraduate degrees
Flexible, or structured? Learn more about the different types of undergraduate degrees at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Choose your study path
Mental Health: Principles and Applications is a supplementary major specifically designed to be taken with a Psychological Science major in a Psychology undergraduate degree.
Mental health: Principles and Applications as a minor subject
You can also include Mental Health: Principles and Applications as a minor subject in most of our Bachelor's degrees.
Study options
Find out how you can study Mental Health: Principles and Applications 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
A Psychology degree that includes Mental Health: Principles and Applications will prepare you well for roles like:
- addictions worker
- case worker
- disability support worker
- staff welfare officer.
You’ll also have an excellent foundation for further study if you are interested in working towards becoming a registered psychologist.
More career information
Find out more about careers in psychology, including roles and career pathways, and how to build relevant skills and make career connections while studying.
More career information
Find out more about careers in Mental Health.
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.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for teachers
TeachNZ offers scholarships if you enrol in an approved undergraduate or graduate teaching course.
Scholarships for Mental Health: Principles and Applications
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The Erasmus Scholarship is open to second year students at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington who want to major in Greek or Latin.
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The scholarship is open to full time students enrolled in Mathematics or Physics, who are entering their second or subsequent year or postgraduate study at Te Herenga Waka— Victoria University of Wellington.
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The scholarship will provide financial support to a 200- or 300-level LLB or LLB Hons student who meets the criteria, to ensure they are able to continue their law degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Mental Health: Principles and Applications
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The Erasmus Scholarship is open to second year students at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington who want to major in Greek or Latin.
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Applicants must be of Pacific Islands descent, enrolled or intending to enrol in their first, second, third or final year in an undergraduate programme, majoring in Pacific Studies. Preference may be given to applicants who are experiencing financial hardship.
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Applicants must be enrolled, or intending to enrol, in an undergraduate programme at second year or above, or in a postgraduate programme, have a hearing loss of 70 DB or greater in the better ear (i.e. severely deaf). Preference will be given to postgraduate study in a field that contributes to the advancement, wellbeing, or development of deaf people.
Postgraduate study
Mental Health: Principles and Applications combined with Psychological Science gives you the courses you need if you want to apply for a postgraduate clinical psychology programme. You’ll need very good grades, because entry is very limited.
You will also have a strong base for other applied psychology postgraduate programmes.
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.