Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology

The Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PGDipClPs) programme normally extends over three years of full-time University study. This includes a Probationary Year during which a candidate completes the final year of a Bachelor with Honours degree or an equivalent course, and two Professional Years during which postgraduate students in Clinical Psychology are concurrently enrolled for a Master's or Doctoral degree in Psychology and the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology. In general, the syllabus is structured so that, as students proceed through the programme, there is progressively less emphasis on formal academic coursework and a correspondingly greater emphasis on practical training.

The number of students accepted each year into the training programme is limited by the number of practical clinical placements available. The present annual intake is 12 students. Candidates for entry into the programme need to have achieved a high standard of performance in their examinations at 200- and 300-level for the Bachelor with Honours degree in Psychology or in their examination for the ordinary Bachelor's degree with a major in Psychology.

Postgraduate entrance requirements

Entrance requirements for postgraduate study vary by programme with most requiring a minimum bachelor-level qualification in the same field, and some having additional requirements such as relevant work experience and/or professional registration in New Zealand.

A postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma can usually be taken at any time after the completion of your bachelor's degree.

If you hold an honours degree or postgraduate diploma you may be able to eligible for master’s study by thesis only. In some cases if you hold a bachelor’s degree you may apply for a coursework master’s degree or for master’s study by coursework and thesis.

To study a PhD you usually require the completion of a master’s degree, or a first-class or upper second-class honours degree in the same area of study, or a related discipline, as your intended area of research.

Check the postgraduate students pages for specific information on the entrance requirements of the programme you are interested in.

IELTS (Academic module) (including IELTS Online) : Overall score of 6.5, no individual band below 6.0

TOEFL iBT : Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21 The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is 9483 (Please note we do not accept MyBest TOEFL scores)

Pearson Test of English ( PTE ) Academic : Overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50

Duolingo English Test : Overall score of 120 (with no Individual Subscore below 95)