Welcome into a community full of innovative thinkers. Our students work alongside internationally respected psychological and social scientists, and psychologists, to understand people, explore social dynamics and advocate for inclusive communities.
Discover the fascinating world of human behaviour, social structures, and the intricate dynamics that shape our lives. The School of Psychological and Social Sciences offers a comprehensive exploration of the mind, society, and the interplay between them. Our subjects in Anthropology, Criminology, Psychology, Social Policy, Social Work and Sociology are designed to understand and address complex social issues, offering insights into human behaviour, societal structures, and the mechanisms of social change.
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour of humans and non-human animals. It's about understanding what makes people tick and how this understanding can help us address many of the problems in society today. As both a thriving academic discipline and a vital professional practice, psychology is dedicated to the study of human behaviour and how we act, react and interact - and the thoughts, feelings, and motivations behind it.
Social Sciences is an academic discipline focused on the study of human society and social relationships. It encompasses a wide range of fields that examine the intricate patterns of human behavior, societal structures, and the factors that influence social change. By exploring the diverse aspects of human life, Social Sciences seeks to understand how individuals and communities interact, evolve, and address complex issues.
In our School, we have strong connections to a range of other subjects such as medicine, sport, management and education. We specialise in the most critical areas of psychology and social sciences, where we can make a real difference to New Zealand society.
I absolutely love the discipline of Psychology. It is an incredibly broad and diverse academic subject. As much, it comes in all sorts of flavours and is often difficult to pin down in a definition. For me, Psychology is the science of how we understand and improve how humans and animals perceive and think. It is the study of how we act, react and interact. This field lets us make great strides in creating new knowledge that positively helps our society.
The School of Psychological and Social Sciences at Waikato contains all the flavours of Psychology – from neuroscience to social science. We are a very special community that is warm and welcoming. We continually strive to be world leading experts in our respective fields. This is reflected in the way that we teach. We bring our excitement, knowledge and passion to our lecture theatres and labs. This means that our students learn about the most up-to-date advances in psychology together with how psychology can be applied in the modern world.
Professor Vincent Reid
Head of School
Join a world-leading psychology school. Our research is multidisciplinary and focused on creating positive societal impact.
Find out how the School of Psychological and Social Sciences was gifted it's beautiful name.
Our School is home to leading researchers and clinicians who are making exciting discoveries in the field of psychology and social sciences.
Our postgraduate study programmes in Psychology offer a deep dive into the human mind and behaviour. Whether you're interested in clinical psychology, research, or applied psychology, our programmes equip you with the skills to make a meaningful impact.
When did you last hear something positive about physical differences? Professor Katrina Roen speaks about how we experience our bodies and how we make sense of what we experience.
Dr Gemma Piercy-Cameron speaks about her PhD research on baristas and café culture.
Impact of childhood development support unlocked by Marsden funding boost
A study aimed at supporting language development and self-regulation in early learning settings can now track its impact from early childhood education through to primary school, thanks to a multi-million-dollar boost from the Marsden Fund.
Research exploring how Kiwi kids understand and use Māori loanwords
Study set to uncover how English-speaking primary school pupils are incorporating Māori loanwords into their everyday language.
Waikato graduate places spotlight on severe housing deprivation
Master of Social Sciences graduate Georgia Brown placed a spotlight on severe housing deprivation in Pacific communities as part of her master’s thesis.
National athlete to advocate for mothers and children through social work
It was Marijke Claude's passion for justice, whanaungatanga and manaakitanga that inspired her to study a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Waikato in Tauranga.
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