Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
ATAR:
Not required*
*Offers made in 2022. More about ATAR
Duration: 
1 year full time or longer for part time
Location: 
Footscray Park
Delivery mode: 
In person
Start date:
24 February 2025
Application due dates:
Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.
Apply

Overview

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

Gain a deeper awareness of our motivations, responses and relationships through this popular psychology course offered by VU.

We’ll help you to further your understanding of psychological studies at an advanced level. By carrying out a research thesis, you’ll graduate with a sought-after honours qualification. From there, you'll be ready to explore postgraduate study or careers from social work to community services.

This psychology degree will focus your learning within informed, conceptual thinking and research skills.

Specifically, you’ll learn to:

  • use advanced cognitive, research, and problem-solving skills to help you pursue postgraduate research or a professional career in psychology
  • employ skills in independent research and theoretical analysis in psychology
  • critically apply advanced knowledge in selected areas of psychology and applied 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.

If you choose to continue on to postgraduate studies, you’ll be able to take up professional training at VU’s Psychology Clinic, providing discounted psychological services to the community.

At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.

Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back

Careers in psychology

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.

Salaries

See the average salary for psychologists in Australia via Labour Market Insights. Starting salaries for graduates may be different.

Placement in VU's Psychology Clinic

Honours graduates have the foundation to pursue research postgraduate degrees (Masters by Research or PhD) which lead to accreditation as a registered psychologist.

If you continue on to postgraduate studies in psychology, you will work with clients in the VU Psychology Clinic. The Clinic provides discounted psychological services to the community.

Assessment and treatment for anxiety, learning difficulties and difficult life events are provided by provisional psychologists who are supervised by experienced clinical psychologists.

Employment growth

More people are reaching out to psychologists and counsellors, as the benefits of cognitive therapy and psychoanalysis over traditional practices and medication become evident.

Accredited psychology course

The Bachelor of Psychological Studies is accredited by the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC).

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Honours), students will be required to complete 96 credit points, consisting of:
-
48 credit points of Core studies; and
-
2 x 24 credit points of Core Thesis studies.

Year 1, Semester 1

Year 1, Semester 2

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.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Inherent Requirements

'Inherent requirements' are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of a course. These should be met while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.

You need to be able to demonstrate that you hold, or can acquire, the inherent requirements for this degree.

We may be able to make reasonable adjustments to help you manage circumstances that impact your studies – provided these don't fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree.

Read more about inherent requirements.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Find out if you meet the admission criteria for a bachelor degree at VU.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Find out if you meet the admission criteria for a bachelor degree at VU.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) with a major psychology. Degree must have been accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
PLUS
A minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70% is required across all core third year psychology units. Note that all applications are ranked according to academic merit, therefore the cut-off WAM for receiving an offer differs from year to year and may be substantially higher than the minimum requirement of 70%.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Find out if you meet the admission criteria for a bachelor degree at VU.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Selection criteria assistance

Let us know which qualifications you have studied and we will help you find the admission information that most applies to you.

Which of the following qualifications have you studied, or are currently studying?

Still not sure? Make an enquiry and one of our advisors can assist.

Student profile

Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Available start dates:
  • 24 February 2025

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Find out more about applying for our courses.

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

Enquire now

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Get help

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.