Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Psychological Sciences | International Student Courses | Swinburne University

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Learn how to support people in an increasingly complex world by becoming a mental health professional.

This Bachelor of Psychological Sciences degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and the first step to becoming a psychologist. You’ll study the scope of psychological science and complete a variety of research projects to develop your project management, research and report writing skill set.

Combine with a Bachelor of Arts to widen your knowledge of what drives social change in contemporary society. Majors such as perspectives on globalisation or Indigenous studies will develop your key complex problem solving and cultural competency skills - to broaden your career opportunities helping individuals in need and society at large.

All our bachelor degrees include a guaranteed Work Integrated Learning opportunity. Build up your résumé with real industry experience which could be a placement, internship or industry-linked project. In this degree, in the Psychology Project (PSY30003), you'll have the opportunity to explore a student-led project with an industry collaboration. In your second year, in the Skills and Strategies for Social Change core arts unit, collaborate with fellow students and community, civil society and industry partners to create real campaigns for real social change.

Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 20% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.

Start dates

Hawthorn campus

Semester 1 - 26 February 2024
Semester 2 - 29 July 2024

View application and start dates

Duration

4 Year/s

Full-time

VTAC code

3400212461 (CSP)

CRICOS code

106700B

Fees

A$40140 (annual for 2024)*

The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

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.

Course details

- Course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.

Course structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Psychological Sciences requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements

Core studies

16 units (200 credit points)

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Technology and Society	ART10002	12.5
Introduction to Research Methods	PSY10005	12.5
Brain and Behaviour	PSY10007	12.5
Fundamentals of Psychology	PSY10008	12.5
Foundations of Statistics	STA10003	12.5
Skills and Strategies for Social Change *	ART20003	12.5
Cognition and Human Performance *	PSY20006	12.5
Developmental Psychology *	PSY20007	12.5
Social Psychology *	PSY20016	12.5
Analysis of Variance and Regression *	STA20006	12.5
Changemakers in Action *	ART30004	12.5
Arts Internship *	ART30005	12.5
Psychology Project *	PSY30003	12.5
Psychology of Personality *	PSY30008	12.5
History and Philosophy of Psychology	PSY30013	12.5
Mental health diversity, diagnosis and treatment *	PSY30016	12.5

*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes

Major for Bachelor of Arts

8 units (100 credit points)

Choose a major:

Choose a major

Climate and Social Justice Criminology Ethics and Technology Indigenous Studies Perspectives on Globalisation Politics, Power and Technology Professional and Creative Writing Screen Studies and Popular Culture

Other studies

8 units (100 credit points)

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

– Work Integrated Learning + Second major + Co-major + Advanced minor + Minors + Elective units + Signature Series

Work Integrated Learning

Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.

Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.

Professional Placement in Humanities

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience in Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities	SOC20018	25
Work Experience in Industry B	WEI20002	25
Integrated Professional Placement B - Humanities	SOC20019	25

Professional Placement in Psychology

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience in Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A - Psychology	PSY20014	25
Work Experience in Industry B	WEI20002	25
Integrated Professional Placement B - Psychology	PSY20015	25

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.

Professional Placement in Humanities

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience in Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities	SOC20018	25

Professional Placement in Psychology

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience in Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A - Psychology	PSY20014	25

A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!

You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.

Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.

Second major (100 credit points)

A second major can be chosen in addition to your first major and will be named on your testamur certificate. Please note you cannot choose the same major as your first major.

Co-major (100 credit points)

A co-major is a major in a field of study outside this course. You can choose one in addition to a first major. Co-majors will not be named on your testamur certificate however will be shown on your transcript of results.

Advanced minor (50 credit points)

Advanced minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points in a field of study which builds upon your first major. Advanced minors can only be taken in conjunction with specific majors - more information will be available soon.

Minors (50 credit points)

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.
The following minors are suggested for this course. Please also refer to the full list of available minors.

Elective units

Any of the following units may be undertaken.

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Financial Information for Decision Making	ACC10007	12.5
Principles of Advertising	ADV10001	12.5
Introduction to Animation	ANI10001	12.5
History of Animation	ANI10003	12.5
Introduction to Character and Environment Design	ANI10004	12.5
Introduction to Game Studies	ART10004	12.5
Anatomy and Physiology	BIO10004	12.5
Introduction to Chemistry	CHE10004	12.5
Introduction to Forensic Science	CHE10007	12.5
Professional Communication Practice	COM10007	12.5
Introduction to Programming	COS10009	12.5
Fundamentals of Criminology	CRI10002	12.5
20th Century Design	DDD10001	12.5
Introduction to Digital Imaging	DDD10009	12.5
Imaging for Narrative and Storyboards	DDM10005	12.5
Typography for Screen and Motion	DDM10006	12.5
Digital Video and Audio	DIG10004	12.5
Economic Principles	ECO10004	12.5
Introduction to Forensic Psychology	FOR10001	12.5
Principles of Game Design	GAM10002	12.5
Introduction to Health Sciences	HEA10001	12.5
Introduction to Exercise and Sport Science	HEA10006	12.5
Global History	HIS10003	12.5
Human Resource Management	HRM10003	12.5
Digital Content Management	ICT10021	12.5
International Business Operations	INB10002	12.5
Database, Analysis and Design	INF10002	12.5
Database Systems	INF20010	12.5
Media Content Creation	JOU10007	12.5
Introduction to Business Law	LAW10004	12.5
Introduction to Media Studies	MDA10001	12.5
Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves	MDA10003	12.5
Innovation Cultures: Perspectives On Science and Technology	MDA10006	12.5
Introduction to Management	MGT10001	12.5
Fundamentals of Marketing	MKT10007	12.5
Neuroscience	NEU10002	12.5
Introduction to Nutrition	NTR10001	12.5
History of Ideas	PHI10001	12.5
Introduction to Philosophy	PHI10002	12.5
Critical Thinking	PHI10003	12.5
Australian Politics	POL10001	12.5
International Politics	POL10002	12.5
Brain and Behaviour	PSY10007	12.5
Fundamentals of Psychology	PSY10008	12.5
Editing for Writers	PWR10002	12.5
Writing Short Non-Fiction	PWR10004	12.5
Sociological Foundations	SOC10004	12.5
Environment and Society	SOC10005	12.5
Global Perspectives on Modernity	SOC10012	12.5
Social Science Research Methods	SOC30019	12.5
Introduction to Sports Psychology	SPO10002	12.5
Foundations of Statistics	STA10003	12.5
Future Work Skills	CAR20001	12.5
Policing: Systems and Practice	CRI20001	12.5
3D Modelling for Objects and Environments	DDD20022	12.5
3D Character Modelling	DDD20023	12.5
Digital Narratives	DIG20001	12.5
User Experience Design	DIG20005	12.5
Introduction to Games Production	GAM20001	12.5
Pervasive Game Design Lab	GAM20002	12.5
Writing for Interactive Narratives	GAM20004	12.5
Propaganda: A History of Media and Politics	HIS20003	12.5
Indigenous Knowledges	INS30002	12.5
Reading, Writing and Criticism	LIT20001	12.5
Australian Writing and Cultural Change	LIT20002	12.5
Business of Media	MDA20001	12.5
Networked Selves	MDA20003	12.5
Screen Franchising and Innovation	MDA20007	12.5
Digital Communities	MDA20009	12.5
Marketing Research and Analytics	MKT20019	12.5
Integrated Marketing Communication	MKT20021	12.5
Consumer Behaviour	MKT20025	12.5
Neurological Monitoring	NEU20004	12.5
Neurophysiology	NEU20006	12.5
Built and Sustainable Communities	PEH20004	12.5
Communicable Disease Control	PEH20005	12.5
Environmental Philosophy	PHI20001	12.5
Philosophy, Media, Culture	PHI20006	12.5
Philosophy, Politics, and Society	PHI20007	12.5
Australian Foreign Policy	POL20008	12.5
Dictators and Democrats: Comparative Politics	POL20009	12.5
International Relations and Security Studies	POL20010	12.5
Conflict Resolution	POL20011	12.5
Developmental Psychology	PSY20007	12.5
Social Psychology	PSY20016	12.5
Global Public Relations Practice	PUB20001	12.5
Public Relations Theory and Practice	PUB20002	12.5
Public Relations Writing	PUB20003	12.5
Editing Techniques	PWR20002	12.5
Writing Creative Non-Fiction	PWR20003	12.5
Families, Relationships and Sexuality	SOC20003	12.5
Sociological Perspectives	SOC20004	12.5
Race, Ethnicity and Migration	SOC20013	12.5
Analysis of Variance and Regression	STA20006	12.5
Statistics for Forensics	STA20008	12.5
Behaviour and Motivation in Games	ART30003	12.5
Industry Consulting Project	BUS30009	12.5
Advanced Web Development	COS30020	12.5
Corrections: Systems and Practice	CRI30002	12.5
Digital Marketing Project 1	DIG30001	12.5
Digital Marketing Project 2	DIG30002	12.5
Advertising Technology	DIG30003	12.5
Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology	FOR30001	12.5
User-Centred Design & Evaluation	GAM30004	12.5
War and Peace in the 20th Century	HIS30007	12.5
History, Politics and Human Rights	HIS30012	12.5
Literary Industry Practice	LIT30004	12.5
Media and Communications Project A	MDA30006	12.5
Media and Communications Project B	MDA30007	12.5
Radio, Audio and Podcasting	MDA30009	12.5
Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood	MDA30011	12.5
Sleep and Attention	NEU30002	12.5
Abnormal Psychophysiology	NEU30003	12.5
Higher Cortical Functions	NEU30004	12.5
Ethics	PHI30008	12.5
Critical Perspectives On Terrorism	POL30009	12.5
Public Policy in Australia	POL30010	12.5
Crisis Points: Global Challenges	POL30011	12.5
Psychology Project	PSY30003	12.5
Psychology of Personality	PSY30008	12.5
Abnormal Psychology	PSY30010	12.5
Events Management	PUB30001	12.5
Issues, Crisis and Risk Communication	PUB30002	12.5
Novel Writing	PWR30002	12.5
Sociology of Health	SOC20022	12.5
Global Gender and Sex	SOC30013	12.5

Signature Series

A Swinburne education prepares you for life. That’s why we’ve developed the Swinburne Signature Series. It’s a suite of study opportunities that embody Swinburne’s ethos – of confidence, clarity and adventure. These opportunities give our students something extra; whether that’s a new perspective on the world through a Study Tour unit, an expanded sense of possibilities through our Innovation Minor, or a deeper understanding and respect for culture through our Indigenous Minor. Like Swinburne University itself, our Signature Series will grow and adapt to reflect the evolving issues of the day.

Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure

Course learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Psychological Sciences, graduates will be able to:

Psychological Sciences - Systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in psychology
Psychological Sciences - Formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in psychology
Psychological Sciences - Critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of psychology
Psychological Sciences - Define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
Psychological Sciences - Apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
Psychological Sciences - Interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
Psychological Sciences - Coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international context
Arts - Systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in the humanities and/or social sciences
Arts - Formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in their areas of expertise
Arts - Critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of humanities and/or social sciences, and understand the importance of inter-disciplinarity for generating solutions
Arts - Define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their areas of expertise
Arts - Apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
Arts - Interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
Arts - Coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international contexts

Career opportunities

There are countless career opportunities with this double degree combination.

Arts career outcomes may involve activism, advocacy, advertising, administration, anti-corruption, climate action, consumer protection, community development, corrections, content creation, cultural services, diversity and inclusion, ethics, human rights, government and government relations, indigenous engagement, marketing, media and communication, national security and intelligence, international relations, large multinational organisations, NGO/aid work, policy development, politics, public affairs, research, unions, writing and youth services.

An Arts/Psychology double degree can also result in strengthening career directions in areas such as community work, community development, corrections, health communication, research ethics, health policy development, NGO/aid work, and youth services.

Graduates who intend to pursue psychology as a career must follow a sequence of education and training in psychology as required by the Psychology Board of Australia.

Following completion of an accredited bachelor degree, graduates should apply for the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) (or an equivalent APAC-accredited fourth-year program) and, on completion, register as provisional psychologists. Those seeking general registration as practicing psychologists in Australia must subsequently successfully graduate from an accredited postgraduate program such as the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) or Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology), or undergo a two-year supervised internship program.

For more detailed information on Australian requirements for registration as a psychologist, visit the Australian Psychological Society website.

Professional recognition

The Psychology sequence within the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

How to enter this course

- Entry requirements and English language requirements.

Entry requirements

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) can now be done on campus in Hawthorn at Room 132, Building TD. Book now or call +61 3 9214 3584 for more information.

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne.

Qualifications

Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates IV (completed), Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Degrees)

Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry if they have significant and relevant work experience and/or upon completion of the STAT test.

Course Prerequisites

VCE Units 3 and 4 – a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or equivalent.

Note:

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

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65%
Or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

Pathways

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides advanced standing to the second.

Learn more about pathways.

How to apply

Find out more about how to apply.

View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.