Overview

The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is an integrated four-year program that offers your first step towards becoming a professional psychologist and prepares you for postgraduate studies in specialist areas. 

Learn about abnormal and developmental psychology, cognition, psychological assessment, personality, social psychology and statistics, biology, chemistry and physiology.

There’s still time to start in Semester 1

Don’t wait another year to start your undergrad or TAFE study. Start your application now and be in class by the end of February.

Your industry experience

Work Integrated Learning is a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. In this degree, you’ll complete an industry-linked research project and get a career head-start with pre-professional training.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Interpersonal skills
  • Problem solving
  • Critical thinking
  • Analyse and evaluate information
  • Knowledge around human behaviour

Your career opportunities

  • Social welfare consultant
  • Medical researcher
  • Child safety officer
  • Health officer
  • Clinical worker
  • Child development officer

Key codes

CRICOS course code
088386E
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400210913
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400210911
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 Psychology

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023

5-stars for overall student experience

5-stars for teaching quality

1# in Melbourne for graduate salary

Qualifications

One of the following:

  • 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).

ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score

85.0

2023 lowest rank to receive an offer [before adjustment pts.]

76.85

You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.

If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements. 

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Course prerequisites

  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent

Other requirements

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.

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.

Assessment for progression to the fourth year

To be eligible for progression into the fourth year (honours year), students must achieve a minimum of a distinction average (70%) in core psychology units at the third year level. Due to limited places in the honours year the required average may be increased, however students with an average of at least 75% are guaranteed a place in fourth year. Students in this course who do not meet this standard for entry into fourth year will be eligible for the award of a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences subject to the completion of the requirements of that award.

Graduate entry into fourth year 

Applicants from Australian universities who have completed an APAC (Australian Psychology Accreditation Council) accredited three-year sequence are eligible for entry into the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours). 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 unit exception allowed). Entry is competitive and based on academic results. 

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.

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:

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.

How credit points work

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) 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.

4
Core units
+
8
Major units
+
12
Elective units
+
6
Honours year unit
=
4-year bachelor degree

What your course could look like

Units are listed in a proposed sequence. However this can be amended depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Brain and Behaviour
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY10007
Foundations of Statistics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
STA10003
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
Introduction to Research Methods
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY10005
Fundamentals of Psychology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY10008
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Developmental Psychology
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20007
Analysis of Variance and Regression
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points
STA20006
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
Cognition and Human Performance
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20006
Social Psychology
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20016
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Psychology Project
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30003
Psychology of Personality
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30008
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Semester 2
Mental health diversity, diagnosis and treatment
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30016
History and Philosophy of Psychology
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30013
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Honours Thesis A
Honours unit, 25.0 credit points
PSY40009
Advanced Quantitative Methods
Honours unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY40001
Counselling Psychology
Core major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY40008
Semester 2
Honours Thesis B
Honours unit, 25.0 credit points
PSY40002
Ethical and Professional Issues
Honours unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY40005
Psychological Assessment
Honours unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY40006

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$8,948

Total fee* ($AUD)

$35,792

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$40,140.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply to 2024 unit enrolments for HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) 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 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. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

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 2024.

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 in the capped amount for 2024.

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

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 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.

Representatives and agents
BH-PSY
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! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Course code
BH-PSY
Apply directly
Course code
BH-PSY
CRICOS code
088386E
Apply directly

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. 

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

VTAC Code (CSP)
3400210911
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400210913
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Upcoming events
Swinburne Innovation Challenge
26-June-2024