Bachelor of Psychological Science

Why study the Bachelor of Psychological Science at UNE?

The Bachelor of Psychological Science provides a thorough grounding in psychology. You study more Psychology units as you progress through each year of the course. This provides an opportunity to explore other areas of interest in the early years of your degree but achieve a thorough grounding in Psychology by the time you graduate. The result is a balanced education, as well as a specialisation in Psychology. The degree includes Psychology units as diverse as Social Psychology (the study of human social behaviour), Biopsychology (the study of the brain), Psychological Assessment (conducting tests of human abilities and skills), and Psychopathology (the study of mental illness). In addition, an optional Major in Counselling or Minor in Criminology is available within the course.

Combining online study with mandatory intensive schools and counselling placements, the Major in Counselling is ideally suited to individuals wishing to gain industry-based experience in a blended learning format. Accreditation for the Major in Counselling is being sought with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), a national peak association, and Australia's largest single registration body for counsellors and psychotherapists. Upon completion of an ACA accredited award, graduates can apply for professional membership as a Registred Counsellor with this association.

Students who have already completed a bachelor degree may apply for admission as a Graduate Entry student (please note that neither the Counselling Major nor Criminology Minor is available under Graduate Entry admission). This pathway recognises a student's prior learning and by maximising advanced standing provides a fast-track to gaining a psychology qualification. Graduate entry provides an accredited undergraduate sequence in psychology by completing a minimum number of prescribed and listed units in Psychology.

All students with sufficient grades are eligible for entry into our accredited fourth year psychology programs.

Professional recognition: A three-year sequence in psychology that is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Graduates who have achieved sufficient grades in Psychology units are eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology or the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced).

Graduates also have a direct pathway into post-graduate study in Counselling at UNE (ie: the Graduate Diploma in Counselling and the Master of Counselling).

I would like to know more about this course.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate coherent theoretical and empirical knowledge of the core topics of Psychology, including: abnormal psychology, biological bases of behaviour, cognition, information processing and language, individual differences, testing and assessment, learning, lifespan development, motivation and emotion, perception, social psychology, history and philosophy of psychology, intercultural diversity and indigenous psychology;
2. describe, apply and evaluate the different research methods used by psychologists and demonstrate practical skills in psychological research design, data analysis, and report writing using American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions;
3. critically evaluate psychological literature, question claims that arise from untested assumptions, and recognise the link between theory and practical application of that theory in the world;
4. demonstrate effective oral or written communication skills in various formats (eg debate, group discussion, presentation) to share or impart psychological knowledge;
5. observe the principles of ethical behaviour in research and professional practice in accordance with the Australian Psychological Society's Code and Guidelines, as well as the Australian 'National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce; and
6. demonstrate cognitive, technical and communication skills for independent learning to sustain life-long personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology.

The Bachelor of Psychological Science allows you to apply for employment positions that use psychological knowledge. Positions are available in a wide range of public, private and non-profit settings. Examples include human service organisations, employment agencies, counselling services, personnel management, market research, health and community services. For those who want to engage in more specialist work within psychology, depending upon your final grades, the Bachelor of Psychological Science can provide the entry requirement into advanced courses in psychology.

Students who choose to study the optional Major in Counselling within this course have enhanced employment opportunities as Registered Counsellors within the public, private and community counselling, health, education and human services sectors as well as private practice.

All domestic students apply through the link below

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International