Overview
Understand the human mind and the science of personality with a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from Victoria University (VU).
Learn about human behaviour, motivation and relationships in this psychology degree. Prepare to apply for registration as a provisional psychologist and take up further career and postgraduate study options.
You’ll spend the first three years of the program focusing on psychology and social research methods. This includes a work placement during your third year, in which you’ll gain practical experience in a professional setting.
In the fourth (honours) year, you’ll pursue advanced studies in quantitative and qualitative social research methods, professional practice units and a research thesis.
You’ll graduate with an in-depth knowledge of human emotion and behaviour to understand why we think and behave in the way we do – and why this differs from one individual to the next.
Gain 60 hours of practical work experience
As a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) student, you’ll get the valuable opportunity in your third year of study to complete a fieldwork unit, which includes 60 hours of work placement.
Choose to complete your placement in an organisation that aligns with your area of interest, such as these examples experienced by our students:
- community organisations, such as Autism Camp Australia
- mental health organisations and general practice, such as Orygen and private psychology clinics
- sport-based organisations
- public and private health services
- school settings.
Find out more about VU’s psychology fieldwork program.
Work towards becoming a clinical psychologist
If you dream of becoming a clinical psychologist, a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is the first step.
Next, you may choose to continue on to VU’s:
- Master of Professional Psychology – a one-year course that provides a pathway to register with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as a practising psychologist. Following this, you’ll need to complete a year of supervised psychology practice at a professional internship of your choice, outside the university.
- Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical Psychology) – a two-year course that provides an accredited pathway to clinical psychology endorsement with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as a fully registered psychologist. Your supervised psychology placement is embedded within this course.
Other further study options include VU’s:
Research an area of interest
The major focus of your fourth year of study will be an extended research thesis, in which you’ll spend the year focusing on an area that aligns with your interests.
You’ll learn to work as an independent researcher, taking responsibility for planning, conducting and reporting a research project with the support of a thesis supervisor.
Your thesis will report the findings of your independent research in a style appropriate to submit to a journal for publication.
VU's Psychology Clinic specialises in cognitive-behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapy.
Careers in psychology
The number of jobs for psychologists is expected to grow strongly over the next five years as more people are reaching out to psychologists and counsellors.
Once you graduate from VU’s Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), you can apply for provisional registration as a psychologist and find employment in:
- welfare
- community services
- human resources.
If you’d like to become a fully-registered psychologist, you’ll need further training at the masters and doctoral level.
Alternatively, you may choose to continue on to further study to qualify as a teacher or social worker.
Our Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is accredited by the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC).
Course structure
To attain the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) students will be required to complete 384 credit points, consisting of:
-
96 credit points (equivalent to 8 units) of Core First Year studies;
-
216 credit points (equivalent to 18 units) of Core Psychology studies;
-
2 x 24 credit points (equivalent to 2 units) of Core Thesis studies; and
-
24 credit points (equivalent to 2 units) of Psychology Elective studies.
In order to be eligible to advance to the fourth (Honours) year of the course, students must achieve the stringent academic admission criteria that are required for Honours programs in Psychology. A minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70% across all core third year psychology units is required.
Students who have successfully completed the first three years of study but have not met the academic admission requirements for the Honours year will be eligible to apply to graduate with a Bachelor of Psychological Studies.
Course structure and units
First Year Core Units
-
- Unit code
- ABA1003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP1012
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP1013
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP1015
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP1016
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- ASX1003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HHB1104
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HHH1000
- Credits
- 12
Year 2, Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- APP2013
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP2023
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APS2030
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HPP2001
- Credits
- 12
Year 2, Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- APP2014
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP2024
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APS2040
- Credits
- 12
Plus
12 credit points of Psychology Elective studies:
Year 3, Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- APP3028
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP3037
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APS3040
- Credits
- 12
Plus
12 credit points of Psychology Elective studies:
Year 3, Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- APP3023
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP3034
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP3035
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APS3030
- Credits
- 12
Year 4, Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- APH4012
- Credits
- 24
-
- Unit code
- APH4018
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APH4071
- Credits
- 12
Year 4, Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- APH4001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APH4013
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APH4015
- Credits
- 24
Psychology Electives
-
- Unit code
- APP3015
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP3016
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP3018
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP3019
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP3020
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- APP3027
- Credits
- 12
Achieve more with the VU Block Model
We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.
Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.
You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.
Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.
Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.
Find out more about the VU Block Model.
Learning outcomes
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. | Exhibit advanced problem-solving and research skills 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; | ||
| 6. | Exemplify independence, self-reflection and creativity to meet goals and challenges in professional and academic pursuits, and | ||
| 7. | Interrogate how broader systemic factors have an impact on and help inform human behaviour and wellbeing. |
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.
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.
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.
Entry requirements
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma of Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 6.0 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
OR:
Completion of a Foundation course or equivalent.
Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.
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.
Pathways from VU courses
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past 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.
How to apply
We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.
Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.
If you have questions, please get in touch:
- Phone: +61 3 9919 1164
- Online: enquiry form
Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.
VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.
