Bachelor

Bachelor of Arts (Major in Psychology)

Open to school leaver application

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology at UPNG is the only undergraduate psychology program in Papua New Guinea. The program emphasises Industrial/Organisational Psychology, Cross-cultural Issues in Management, Consumer Behaviour, Testing and Assessment, Social Psychology, and Organisational Behaviour, with support for Clinical and Counselling related courses.

The greatest strength of the UPNG Psychology program is its preparation of students for management-related careers in the private and public sectors. Given its multi-disciplinary focus, Psychology supports programs such as Politics, Social Work, and Sociology, and services Business Management, Public Policy Management, and Management programs across the University. Graduates find employment in human resources, community development, health services, research, and management roles in PNG.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have successfully completed Grade 12 from a recognised institution. The following minimum grades are required for school leaver selection:

  • A grade of C or better in Language & Literature or Applied English (one subject).
  • A grade of B or better in General Mathematics or Advanced Mathematics (one subject).
  • A grade of B or better in three (3) subjects chosen from Economics, History, Geography, Physics, Chemistry or Biology.

Minimum GPA: 2.75, calculated across the subjects listed above (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0; subjects not taken are excluded from the calculation). Note that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission — places are limited and competition is strong.

NOSS selection formula (2025): (COUNT_C[LL,AE]=1)&(COUNT_B[GM,AM]=1)&(COUNT_B[Ec,Hi,Gr,Ph,Ch,Bi]=3)&(GPA[LL,AE,AM,GM,Ec,Hi,Gr,Bi,Ch,Ph]>=2.75)

Course Structure

Year 1

Semester 1

  • 4.11701Introduction to Psychology
  • 4.21702Learning & Cognition
  • 4.31701Abnormal Psychology
  • 4.31703Social Psychology

Semester 2

  • 4.11702Developmental Psychology
  • 4.21701Quantitative Methods of Psychology
  • 4.31702Techniques of Psychotherapy
  • 4.31704Organisational Behaviour
  • 4.31705Health Psychology

Year 2

Semester 1

  • 4.41701Counselling Techniques
  • 4.41702Organisational Psychology I
  • 4.41703Reading Course in Psychology I
  • 4.41708Cross-Cultural Psychology

Semester 2

  • 4.41704Personality & Individual Difference
  • 4.41705Organisational Psychology 2
  • 4.41706Reading Course in Psychology 2
  • 4.41707Psychological Testing & Assessment

Course codes shown are indicative. Please contact the School directly for official course codes and credit information.