Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours)
Overview
Develop advanced, independent research skills and work towards a career as a professional psychologist or academic researcher with the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours).
If you’ve already completed an accredited Australian Psychology undergraduate degree, then this qualification is for you.
The skills you’ll learn will further prepare you for postgraduate studies in specialist areas including: clinical psychology, organisational psychology, sports psychology, or a career in research.
Change of Preference Expo
Looking for your #1 VTAC preference? Explore your options and get personalised advice from course experts, based on your Year 12 results. Friday 13 December, Hawthorn campus.
Skills you’ll learn
- Explaining key theories and methods
- Conduct of psychological research
- Strategies for psychological practice
- Explain principles of psychological interventions
- Communication skills
Your career opportunities
- Psychologist (with further studies)
- Social welfare consultant
- Medical researcher
- Clinical worker
- Health officer
- Child development officer
Key codes
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
Why Swinburne?
Ranked top 250 in the world for the subject of psychology
Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 202383.5% of students found employment within 4 months of graduating
Qualifications
Australian applicants must have completed an APAC-accredited three-year bachelor degree or equivalent sequence in psychology. Students must achieve a minimum of a Distinction average (70%) in core psychology units at the third-year level and have at least credits in all second and third level core/major units (one exception allowed).
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.
- Completed an APAC (Australian Psychology Accreditation Council) accredited three year bachelor degree or equivalent sequence in psychology at an Australian university with at least a distinction average (70%) in core psychology units at the third year level and have at least credits in all second and third year level core/major units (one exception allowed)
- Completed a psychology major at an overseas university which meets the requirements of an APAC - accredited Australian undergraduate degree in psychology.
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.
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.
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.
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.
-
Bachelor of Psychological Sciences
-
Bachelor of Health Science
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 100 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Advanced Quantitative Methods
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY40001 |
|
Honours Thesis B
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
PSY40002 |
|
Ethical and Professional Issues
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY40005 |
|
Psychological Assessment
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY40006 |
|
Counselling Psychology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY40008 |
|
Honours Thesis A
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
PSY40009 |
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$9,314
Total fee* ($AUD)
$9,314
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$45,500.00
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
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?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
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 Financials
- 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.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
Applicants, please note that you do not have to provide a detailed description of an honours project. Just a simple sentence will suffice, providing us with an indication of your interests in general. You do not need to contact a supervisor to talk about research projects until you receive an offer.
If qualifications were obtained overseas, you must also have your qualifications assessed by the Australian Psychological Society and provide evidence of equivalency with your application
Non-Swinburne applicants should provide a cover letter, showing the applicant's full name, contact details and application course details, with any additional documentation being forwarded to the University.
Please note that at least 50% of the places in the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) are open to applicants from Swinburne University of Technology only and the remainder to applicants from all universities.
Last date to apply
- Semester 1 2025 – 5pm, Wednesday 30 October 2024