What’s a psychologist?

A psychologist is an expert in human behaviour. There are different types of psychologist, including clinical, educational, development, organisation and forensic. When we use the term psychologist, we generally mean a clinical psychologist. They work with patients on a range of issues. These could include emotional difficulties, grief, learning issues, relationship problems and stress. A clinical psychologist will work with their patients in various ways. They might help to find underlying conditions that are contributing to patient issues. They could work with them to develop management strategies. They may use techniques, like cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), to help patients understand how their thinking affects their mood. One thing that a clinical psychologist can’t do is prescribe medication. If a patient needs medication, they may work with a general practitioner or a psychiatrist to manage this part of the treatment.

What's the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Psychologists and psychiatrists are both mental health professionals, and will sometimes work together. But there are big differences in the way they work, and the path they take to become professionals. The key difference is that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor, which means that they can prescribe medication, and that their patients are referred to them by a GP. This means that they may work with patients who have more complex or serious conditions.

What’s the difference between counselling and psychology?

Like a psychologist, a counsellor will work with a patient to resolve issues they are facing. A counsellor will do this by applying a series of tools or strategies. However, a counsellor has a lot less professional training than a registered psychologist, and this tends to be reflected in the way they engage with patients.

How do you become a psychologist in Australia?

Becoming a psychologist in Australia will take you at least 6 years. From 2022 onwards, you’ll need to complete 5 years of study that has been accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) , followed by a 1-year internship. First you’ll study a 3-year undergraduate degree, full or part-time. You don’t have to major in psychology but if you don’t, you’ll need to add a Graduate Diploma of Psychology to your undergraduate degree. Next, complete postgraduate study like a Master of Psychology or a doctoral degree (PhD) in any area of study. Once you’ve completed studying, you’ll need to do a 1-year internship which can done at a full or part-time load. Almost there! The final step is professional registration. This means one more exam—the National Psychology Exam. Finally, apply for general registration as a psychologist from the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA).

What can I do with a psychology degree?

With a degree in psychology, you could work in the behavioural science field, or beyond. Sectors that graduates commonly get into include: Counselling Social work Human resources Marketing Teaching

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool , or request help from one of our student advisors. When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process. Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful. If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it. You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions .

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Chat with us to find out more.

Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?

There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us. You can enrol without entry requirements We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there. You have total control over how you study Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you. You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students. We’ll help you navigate the university world Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.

Psychology courses | Psychology degrees | Open Universities Australia

Introduction to Psychology

Get food for thought when you study psychology. Help people understand their thinking, navigate their feelings and choices in a way that changes lives for the better.

Specialise in a variety of areas including clinical, organisational or educational psychology or upskill in human resources, research, user experience or social welfare.

David - Studied Behavioural studies with Swinburne University, through Open Universities Australia and is now a psychologist. — David studied a Bachelor of Behavioural Studies with Swinburne University, through Open Universities Australia

What psychology course to study

If you want to become a registered psychologist or apply psychological science to another career, you’ll need to start with study.

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Bachelor degree

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You’re new to study, curious about psychology, or want to become a registered psychologist in the future

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Postgraduate degree

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You’ve already got a bachelor degree and want to upskill or reskill by growing your knowledge in psychology, counselling or mental health.

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Best for domestic students who want to become a registered psychologist
Flexibly upskill in as little as six months to open up career opportunities
Gain a qualification and four subjects to credit toward a bachelor degree
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Single subjects

Best for students who want to start small and try out study
Flexibly upskill a specific area in as little as 10 weeks
Earn credit with each subject to count towards a bachelor degree
Access student loans to support your journey

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Meet entry requirements to continue to a degree

Bachelor degrees

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Graduate directly from the university
Apply what you learn to a variety of careers, or continue on your path to become a psychologist.

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Online psychology certificate

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Undergraduate Certificate in Psychology

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Psychology courses

Introduction to Psychology

What psychology course to study

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Psychology study FAQs

What’s a psychologist?

What's the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

What’s the difference between counselling and psychology?

How do you become a psychologist in Australia?

What can I do with a psychology degree?

How do I enrol?

How do I know if I’m eligible to apply for a course?

Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?

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