Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) (Swinburne Online delivered)

Overview

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology is an online Level 2 APAC program that allows students to continue further studies in the field or embark upon a research career. This program utilises online digital learning teaching methodologies. Students aiming to become a registered psychologist will need to apply for further study.

Check the Graduate Diploma of Psychology course handbook

Get a copy of our course guide

Upgrade your skills

Research skills
History and philosophy of psychology
Conceptual understanding
Problem solving
Ethical practice

Stretch your career further

Counselling
Psychological research
Social worker
Opportunities within mental health sector

International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Professional accreditations

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council

Why Swinburne?

Ranked top 250 in the world for the subject of psychology

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023

83.5% of students found employment within 4 months of graduating

Ranked top 20% in Australia for 5-star PG Overall experience

Source

Study with Swinburne Online

With Swinburne Online, the learning experience is 100% online and studied at your own pace. Our courses are built for the jobs of the future with a focus on collaboration and our flexible learning environment empowers you to study on your own terms. They are developed by leaders in the field and taught by professionals with industry experience.

Find out more (Study with Swinburne Online)

Qualifications

To be eligible to apply, Australian applicants must have completed an APAC-accredited three-year or equivalent sequence in psychology. Students must achieve a minimum of a Distinction average (70%) in core psychology units at the third-year level.

Applicants who have completed a psychology major at an overseas university MUST provide evidence that their degree meets the requirements of an APAC-accredited Australian undergraduate degree in psychology.

Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The University may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

IELTS overall band of 7.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 7.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 75%, all skills 70%
or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Book your Pearson Test of English

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about credit

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about RPL

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Graduate Certificate in Forensic Behavioural Science

Discover more (Graduate Certificate in Forensic Behavioural Science )
Graduate Diploma of Counselling

Discover more (Graduate Diploma of Counselling)
Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology

Discover more (Graduate Diploma in Forensic Psychology)

How credit points work

To qualify for the award of GD-PSYADS Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced), students must complete 100 credit points comprising:

Core units

Graduate diploma

Your units

Graduate diploma

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Advanced Quantitative Methods Core unit, 12.5 credit points	PSY80112
Psychological Assessment Core unit, 12.5 credit points	PSY80113
Counselling and Interventions Core unit, 12.5 credit points	PSY80115
Thesis A - Research Project Development Core unit, 12.5 credit points	PSY80117
Thesis B - Literature Review Core unit, 12.5 credit points	PSY80118
Thesis C - Empirical Study Core unit, 25.0 credit points	PSY80136

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$29,680

Total fee* ($AUD)

$29,680

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$32,470.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

How do I pay my fees?

FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.

Find out more about fees

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

log in to My Finances
check your Australian bank account details are correct
check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
pay using your preferred payment method.

Learn more about paying your fees

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Learn more about FEE-HELP

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

Learn more about SSAF

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

Learn more about scholarships

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Learn more about scholarships

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents

GD-PSYADS

Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online!

Please note: This online course is not available to on-shore international students holding a student visa.

Course code

GD-PSYADS

Apply directly

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

Teaching Period 2

Online

02-July-2025

07-July-2025

Teaching Period 3

Online

29-October-2025

03-November-2025

Start dates

Location

Start dates

Teaching Period 2

Online

07-July-2025

Teaching Period 3

Online

03-November-2025

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Upgrade your skills

Stretch your career further

International student visa

Professional accreditations

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council

Why Swinburne?

Study with Swinburne Online

Admission requirements

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

Graduate diploma

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

Total fee* ($AUD)

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)