Diploma in Psychological Science
Undergraduate
UNE-PSY-DIP 2025Course information for 2025 intake
Get a head start in psychology by covering the essentials
Delve into the foundations of psychology. Nurture your understanding of mental health and wellbeing. You’ll gain invaluable insights into the Australian health system. Get prepared for the challenges and opportunities of a psychology career.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Diploma in Psychological Science
About this degree
Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:
- demonstrate coherent theoretical and empirical knowledge of selected core topics of Psychology, including: cognition, information processing and language, learning, lifespan development, motivation and emotion, perception, social psychology, history and philosophy of psychology, intercultural diversity and indigenous psychology;
- describe, apply and evaluate different research methods used in psychology and demonstrate practical skills in research design, data analysis, and report writing using American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions;
- 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;
- demonstrate effective oral or written communication skills in various formats (eg debate, group discussion, presentation) to share or impart psychological knowledge;
- 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
- demonstrate cognitive, technical and communication skills for independent learning to sustain life-long personal and professional development in a changing world.
Delve into the foundations of psychology, nurturing a deep understanding of mental health and wellbeing. Gain invaluable insights into the Australian health system, preparing you for challenges and opportunities within the sector.
Recommended study pattern
Program of Study
Core Units
- Complete 6 core units
Listed Units
- Complete 2 units
Award requirements
A candidate who meets the course requirements shall be admitted to the Diploma in Psychological Science.
To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 48 credit points.
Exit points
Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Undergraduate Certificate in Psychological Science upon completion of 24 credit points
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $16,992
The amount shown here is 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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How to apply
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Entry requirements
You can apply for this course if you undertaken any of the following qualifications with an appropriate Grade Point Average (GPA):
- Undergraduate Certificates
- Diplomas
- Advanced Diplomas/Associate degrees
- Bachelor degrees
- Postgraduate degrees
You can apply for this course if you are currently studying Year 12 or have done so within the past 2 years.
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.
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.
If you are admitted into this course and believe you have already completed the equivalent of one or more of the units in your Program of Study within the last ten years, you can apply for Individual Unit Advanced Standing.
Career opportunities
Although the Diploma in Psychological Science is not a professionally accredited course, the units studied may be able to be transferred to an accredited degree such as the Bachelor of Psychological Science. The skills gained will be of standalone value to fields such as:
- counselling and education
- law
- personnel management
- learning support worker
- market research
- community services or youth work.