Australian residents
International students
Intakes: 

2024: February, April, July

Duration: 
4 years
Location: 
Footscray Park
Fees: 

2024: A$16,700*
* fee per semester

Application due dates:
We are currently accepting applications for this course.
Apply

Overview

Combine psychology studies with a business specialisation to develop insights into people’s behaviour on an individual and organisational level, in a Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business at Victoria University.

This double degree will help you apply key psychology principles in the workplace, giving you the confidence and expertise to understand and manage a range of stakeholders from teammates and clients to customers and employers.

Through VU’s Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business, you’ll learn how to:

  • establish employee development programs
  • advise management on employee relations
  • lead organisational change
  • analyse consumer behaviour.

These skills will help you further your career opportunities within:

  • community service organisations
  • human resource departments
  • marketing research agencies
  • banking and financial institutions
  • government departments.

Psychology students complete a fieldwork unit, which gives you the opportunity to gain experience in a field related to your studies.

Students have completed placements within:

  • the Department of Human Services (Child Protection)
  • family and carer support services
  • arts and cultural organisations
  • refugee and asylum seeker support services
  • public and private health services
  • school settings.

Our strong network within industry means you’ll have plenty of opportunities for sought-after industry-based experience through practical work placements.

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.

You can personalise your learning with both a psychology and business specialisation.

Business specialisations include:    

  • accounting
  • banking and finance
  • financial risk management
  • global logistics and transport
  • human resource management
  • international business
  • international trade
  • management and marketing
  • music industry
  • retail and commerce
  • small business and entrepreneurship.

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.

VU's Psychology Clinic specialises in cognitive-behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapy.

Careers in psychology and business

Graduates of VU’s Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business have the specialist knowledge and confidence to apply psychology principles within organisations.

This double degree leads to employment in several sectors from community services or marketing to finance or government.

Typical roles include:

  • organisational development consultant
  • financial analyst
  • human resources manager
  • marketing officer
  • policy advisor.

Salaries

See the average salary for psychologists in Australia via Labour Market Insights.  

See the average salary for ICT business and systems analysts in Australia via Labour Market Insights. 

Starting salaries for graduates may be different.

Psychology pathway

This course puts you on track to becoming a registered psychologist, with graduates eligible to gain entry into a fourth year of psychology, followed by a master program.

Career focus pays off

Career focus pays off

Sam’s career journey looking for greater employment prospects brought him to VU. He found focus, motivation and support.

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Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) Accredited Course logo

Our Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business is accredited by the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC).

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business, students will be required to complete 384 credit points consisting of:
-
96 credit points of Core First Year studies;
-
108 credit points of Core Psychological studies;
-
24 credit points of Psychology Elective studies;
-
48 credit points of Core Business studies;
-
96 credit points of specialised studies selected from one of the Business Majors;
-
12 credit points of Work Integrated Learning studies (APP3028 Fieldwork or BSK3001 Workplace Learning).

First Year Core Units

Year Two

Plus

12 Credit Points of Psychology Elective Studies (list below)

Year Three

Plus

48 Credit Points from chosen Business Major Studies

Year Four

Select 12 credit points from either:

Plus

12 Credit Points of Psychology Elective Studies (list below)

48 Credit Points from chosen Business Major Studies

Psychology Electives

Majors

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.

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

  1. Elucidate and apply a broad knowledge of psychological theory and social research methods;  
  2. Exhibit skills in independent research, theoretical analysis and critical evaluation in psychology and business fields;  
  3. Analyse and reflect upon the application of psychological and business theory in addressing contemporary challenges at an individual, interpersonal and organisational level;  
  4. Interpret and coherently communicate knowledge and ideas using a range of media;  
  5. Exemplify advanced interpersonal and collaborative skills, consistent with professional, culturally appropriate and ethical practice when working with people from diverse backgrounds; and  
  6. Exhibit 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.

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.

Read more about inherent requirements.

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 equivalent).
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or 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.

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.

Foundations at VU JYAC

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU JQAG

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

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

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.

Apply

If you have questions, please get in touch:

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.