Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

Course information for - 2023 entry

Offered at 2 locations

Study mode
Attendance
Duration
4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
VTAC code
1200210381
ATAR
85.00 for Melbourne
Fees (first year)*

$10006 CSP

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2024
Applications open August 2023
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not available

Overview

Explore how the mind works, and why people behave the way they do. This course gives you the opportunity to complete a four-year sequence in psychology by including an embedded honours year. This meets APAC's requirements that enable you to apply for postgraduate courses in psychology which may lead to registration as a psychologist.

Professional experience

You will be required to complete 100 hours of community engagement.

Work placement

During your time at ACU you’ll take part in volunteering work that has a psychological focus. This may be with organisations such as the Department of Health and Human Services, community groups or schools.

With an emphasis on work-integrated learning, there are opportunities throughout the third year of the program to undergo 100 hours of community engagement to develop knowledge and skills related to psychology practice.   

Community engagement organisations and opportunities range from Challenges Abroad Australia (Nepal Trip), Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Islamic College of Melbourne (Wellbeing team), Switchboard Peer Counselling and Casey Youth Support.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

Students who complete an APAC accredited honours degree in psychology will be eligible for provisional registration as a psychologist with the PsyBA (Psychology Board of Australia). Please note that a minimum six-year sequence of education and training in psychology is required to register as a psychologist in Australia.

Careers

Our graduates have pursued careers in:

  • child care work
  • career counselling
  • welfare support
  • drug and alcohol counselling
  • research assistance
  • case work
  • juvenile justice
  • advertising

Course details

Course structure

To complete the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), a student must complete 320 credit points (cp).

View course rules

Sample program map

Year - Study periodUnit 1Unit 2Unit 3Unit 4Unit 5
Year 1 - Semester 1

PHIL100 Philosophy: the Big Questions

PSYC100 Foundations of Psychology

PSYC108 Psychological Practice: Theory and Techniques

Minor 1
Year 1 - Semester 2

PSYC101 Applications of Psychology

PSYC104 Research Design and Statistics I

Core Curriculum

100 level unit: 

Either UNCC100 Self and Community: Exploring the Anatomy of Modern Society

or

PHCC102 Being Human

or

PHCC104 Ethics and the Good Life

Minor 2
Year 2 - Semester 1

PSYC200 Life Span Development


PSYC206 Research Design and Statistics II


PSYC213 Individual Differences


Minor 3
Year 2 - Semester 2

PSYC214 Learning and Behaviour


PSYC212 Abnormal Psychology


Psychology electiveMinor 4
Year 3 - Semester 1

PSYC314 Psychological Assessment

PSYC311 Research Design and Statistics III


PSYC310 Psychological Services Experience

Community engagement

PSYC315 Brain and Behaviour


Year 3 - Semester 2

PSYC307 Cognitive Psychology


Core Curriculum

300 level unit:

Either  UNCC300 Justice and Change in a Global World

or

PHCC320 The Just Society


PSYC313 Social Psychology

PSYC322 Critical Thinking and Research Skills for Psychology


Year 4 - Semester 1

PSYC410 Honours Thesis A


PSYC424 Research Methods


PSYC429 Assessment in Psychological Practice: Foundation Skills and Professional Issues

Year 4 - Semester 2

PSYC421 Honours Thesis B


PSYC430 Psychological Interventions: Theory, Foundational Strategies and Professional Issues

Fourth year psychology elective

This is a sample program only and units will vary depending on your campus and mode of study. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.

AQF framework

Bachelor Honours - AQF Level 8

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12, or equivalent:

StatePrerequisites

New South Wales

English (Standard) (Band 2) or English (Advanced) (Band 2) or EAL (Band 3)

Victoria

Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2023 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

View transparency admission information

English language requirements

Applicants require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 7.0 (with a minimum score of 7.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy (Schedule 3).

Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Further study

Graduates of this course may be eligible to apply for further study in psychology, including masters programs, clinical doctorates, and/or Higher Research Degrees (Doctor of Philosophy).

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$10006 CSP

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • the number of units studied per semester;
  • the choice of major or specialisation; and
  • elective units.

The University reviews fees annually.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support. 

Explore your options 

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.  

Search our scholarships 

How to apply

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.

Testimonial

Lachlan Beaton

I have always had an interest in the mental health of myself and others. Studying psychology has given me an incredible insight into how the mind works and how I can help others with this knowledge. Studying at ACU has given me hands on experience and ready access to supervisors who treat me like a peer. This has fast-tracked what I’ve learnt and resulted in me having an even deeper passion for this field of science.

Lachlan Beaton
Psychology (Honours) student
 

Have a question?

We're available 9am–5pm AEDT,
Monday to Friday

If you’ve got a question, our AskACU team has you covered. You can search FAQs, text us, email, live chat, call – whatever works for you.

Live chat with us now

Chat to our team for real-time
answers to your questions.

Launch live chat

Visit our FAQs page

Find answers to some commonly
asked questions.

See our FAQs