Develop specialist knowledge to truly understand people with the Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Honours).

If you have an accredited Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) with a major in psychology, our honours course provides the opportunity to enhance your learning and improve your career prospects with an additional year of study.

The honours year will focus your learning within informed, conceptual thinking and research skills, allowing you to gain a deeper awareness of human motivations, responses and relationships.

By completing a research thesis, you’ll graduate with a sought-after honours qualification. From there, you'll be ready to explore postgraduate courses in psychology, or careers from social work to community services.

Specifically, you’ll learn to:

• use advanced cognitive, research, and problem-solving skills to pursue postgraduate research or a professional career in psychology
• employ skills in independent research and theoretical analysis in psychology
• assess and evaluate the nature of psychology as a profession, the ethical and legal responsibilities of the psychologist and the role of the Australian Psychological Society.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

Applicants with a cognate (same discipline) Australian Bachelor Degree and with a minimum weighted average mark (WAM) of 70% across all core third year psychology units; as well as the completion of an APAC-accredited major in psychology, will be considered for admission to the course. Equivalence of international degrees to an accredited 3-year sequence in psychology in Australia must be formally assessed and confirmed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS).
PLUS
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score of 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Elucidate an advanced knowledge and application of psychological theory and social research methods;
2. Critically analyse and exemplify skills in psychological assessment and evidence-based intervention strategies with due reference to cultural considerations;
3. Implement skills in independent research to investigate substantive research questions relevant to the discipline of psychology;
4. Critically evaluate the nature of psychology as a profession, the legal and ethical responsibilities of the psychologist, and the role of relevant regulatory bodies and professional organisations;
5. Exhibit interpersonal communication and interviewing skills consistent with pre-professional and culturally sensitive practice when working with people from diverse backgrounds; and
6. Exemplify independence, self-reflection and creativity to meet goals and challenges in professional and academic pursuits.

Honours graduates can pursue research postgraduate degrees which lead to accreditation as a registered psychologist.

As a psychologist, you could be employed in one of several thriving industries including health care, public administration or education.

Alternatively, your career can span the fields of:

• welfare
• social work
• community services
• human resources.