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 2024Applications open August 2023Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not available
This as a four-year embedded Honours program for students who attain and maintain the required GPA to progress to the Honours year. Please visit the Psychology Honours page for further information and details of sample Honours research projects.
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).
Sample program map
| Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 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 elective | Minor 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
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:
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
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.
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
$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.
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.
How to apply
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.
Testimonial
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.