Bachelor of Psychological Science

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

1. demonstrate coherent theoretical and empirical knowledge of the core topics of Psychology, including: history and philosophy of psychology, motivation and emotion, psychological health and well-being, social psychology, neuroscience and the biological bases of behaviour, cognition, language and perception, individual differences in personality, intelligence and behaviour, learning and memory, lifespan development, and psychopathology and evidence-based interventions; and apply this knowledge in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals;
2. describe, apply and evaluate 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, recognise the link between theory and practical application of that theory in the world, and communicate these in written and oral formats;
4. demonstrate interpersonal skills and teamwork;
5. demonstrate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics in psychology; and
6. demonstrate self-directed 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 provides an accredited three year undergraduate sequence in psychology. This involves a thorough grounding in the core areas of psychology, plus an opportunity to explore specialist areas, while also allowing the student to study other areas of interest.

Do you want to understand more about what drives human behaviour? Gain in-depth knowledge of the scientific study of human behaviour, as well as research and analytical experience, with UNE's innovative Bachelor of Psychological Science. Delivered flexibly online or on campus, our accredited three-year undergraduate degree is designed to give you a balanced education with a psychology focus. Along with completing a mandatory minor in Psychological Health and Wellbeing, you will have the freedom to choose electives from any unit offered by UNE. With opportunities to focus your study with a Counselling major or Criminology minor, our course allows you to future proof your career by developing transferable skills that are highly valued in the workplace and opens doors to further advanced study in psychology.

UNE's Bachelor of Psychological Science provides you with a thorough grounding in the core areas of psychology and emphasises the development of transferrable skills, ensuring you're able to change and adapt to challenges and opportunities in the workplace. Explore a wide range of subjects, studying more focused psychology units as you progress through each year of the degree. Our Bachelor of Psychological Science includes the study of the history and philosophy of psychology, motivation, emotion, social psychology, the biological bases of behaviour, cognition, language and more.

Recommended study pattern

Program of Study

Rule A

• Core Units
  • Complete 10 core units
• Counselling Major (Optional)
  • Complete eight units
• Criminology Minor (Optional)
  • Complete four units
• Psychological Health and Wellbeing Minor
  • Complete four units
• Electives
  • Complete up to 10 units.

Rule B

• Core Units
  • Complete 10 units
• Listed Units
  • Complete two units

Award requirements

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Bachelor of Psychological Science.

Choose your subjects

Majors

Students are required to complete the Psychological Health and Wellbeing Minor totalling 24 credit points. Students must also complete either:

• Counselling major totalling 48 credit points and Elective Units totalling 12 credit points;
• Criminology minor totalling 24 credit points and Elective Units totalling 36 credit points;
• Elective Units totalling 60 credit points.

Electives

Complete a maximum of 60 credit points.

Elective Units can be selected from any unit offered by the University, subject to candidates meeting overall course requirements and prerequisite and timetabling requirements for individual units. These units can include other Psychology units which candidates have not completed as a Core or Listed Unit.

Exit points

Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Undergraduate Certificate in Psychological Science.

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Indicative total fee $27,936

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

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Rule A: You can apply for this course if you have undertaken any of the following qualifications with an appropriate Grade Point Average (GPA):

• Undergraduate Certificates
• Diplomas
• Advanced Diplomas/Associate degrees
• Bachelor degrees (if you have completed a Bachelor degree please see Rule B)
• Postgraduate degrees

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule A.

Rule B: You can apply for this course if you have completed a Bachelor qualification (AQF Level 7 or overseas equivalent) in any discipline.

If you are admitted on this basis, you will be eligible for admission under Rule B.

Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. 

You can apply for this course if you are currently studying Year 12 (school or TAFE) or have done so within the past 2 years.

Guaranteed ATAR is 70.00

Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. 

You can apply for this course if you have undertaken VET studies. When assessing your application, we will look at the following factors:

• Level and type of qualification (Certificate IV or above)
• Graded or ungraded (competency-based)
• Complete or incomplete.

Please note: all admissions are subject to UNE’s Admission, Credit and Enrolment Policy. 

You can apply for this course on the basis of work and/or life experience via at least one of the following methods:

Professional Experience

If you have completed at least one year of paid professional experience, we can assess you for admission on this basis. Simply provide a resume and a Statement of Service from your employer/s in your application.

Mature Age Special Entry

Tell us more about your work and life experience, demonstrating why you believe you will be successful in the course you are applying for. Simply complete the form and upload it in your application.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

The STAT is a test that assesses a range of competencies considered important for successful tertiary study. UNE accepts the multiple-choice component provided you have completed it within the three years prior to course commencement.

Some entry rules come with Advanced Standing or Articulation Programs that are assessed automatically without the need for you to fill in an additional application. If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your Course Structure (Program of Study) within the last ten years, you can apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing.

Candidates undertaking the Counselling Major will need to ensure they are compliant for 400 hours of placement.

In online mode, no core unit in this course has a mandatory intensive school, although some do offer optional intensive schools. Some units within the Counselling Major have mandatory intensive schools.