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
Application due dates:
Applications are not being taken at this time.
Register your interest

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.

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. Utilise advanced cognitive, research, and problem-solving skills to successfully undertake postgraduate research or a professional career in psychology;  
  2. Satisfy the educational requirements for associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society;  
  3. Implement skills in independent research, theoretical analysis and critical evaluation in psychology;  
  4. Critically apply advanced knowledge in selected areas of psychology and applied psychology;  
  5. 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.  

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 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.

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

The minimum requirements for entry to Honours in Psychology are the completion of all requirements for a Bachelor degree (AQF7) conferred by Victoria University; the completion of an APAC-accredited major in psychology; and a minimum third-year Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70%. 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%.
Students who have completed their APAC accredited major in psychology at another university or similar institution are also eligible to apply for this course.

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

Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.

Browse our other Psychology courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.

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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.