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.
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.
Study options
Find out how you can study Mental Health: Principles and Applications at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
If you already have a degree
If you already have a degree, you can study this subject without having to complete a three-year qualification.
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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This scholarship is open to any athlete from all disciplines who are currently enrolled at Victoria University of Wellington. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, sporting achievement, equity and commitment to attaining a tertiary qualification.
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This scholarship is open to female students of the New Zealand School of Music who are studying or who aspire to study sonic arts. The successful applicant will be chosen on the basis of prior attainment and identified potential, taking into account, where appropriate, financial need.
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This scholarship is designed to support second year students studying History at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington by removing financial barriers to study.
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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This scholarship is open to female students of the New Zealand School of Music who are studying or who aspire to study sonic arts. The successful applicant will be chosen on the basis of prior attainment and identified potential, taking into account, where appropriate, financial need.
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This scholarship is open to any athlete from all disciplines who are currently enrolled at Victoria University of Wellington. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, sporting achievement, equity and commitment to attaining a tertiary qualification.
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The scholarship is to assist in the education and training of international classical piano undergraduate students at the New Zealand School of Music.
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.