Overview

Discover what it takes to drive social change by being able to understand human relationships. A Bachelor of Psychological Science is the first step to becoming a psychologist and will develop your research, project management and report writing skills. Combine with a Bachelor of Arts to hone your critical thinking, problem solving and cultural competency skills to make a difference in society.

Looking to start in Semester 1, 2025?

Whatever stage you're at – from browsing courses to starting an application – our Study Expo is your one-stop-shop for info and advice.

Your major

Criminology

In this criminology major you’ll focus on why crimes are committed, how society defines crime and treats criminals, and what social factors and motivations can lead to criminal behaviour. Examine the systems and practices within policing as well as global crime problems, cyber-crime and security issues, and learn how to analyse trends, formulate policies and create systems to help prevent crime.

Your industry experience

This double degree offers industry experience though, placements, internships or project work. In the Psychology Project, you'll partner with industry on a student-led project. In the Skills and Strategies for Social Change core arts unit, you'll collaborate with fellow students,community, NGOs and industry partners to create campaigns for real social change.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Privacy and data protection
  • Digital literacy
  • Analytical understanding
  • Knowledge
  • Digital literacy

Your career opportunities

  • Social researcher
  • Community development officer or welfare worker
  • Policy analyst
  • Psychologist (with further study)
  • Social welfare consultant
  • Medical researcher

Key codes

CRICOS course code
106700B
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400212463
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400212461
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?

Top 400 for Arts and Humanities

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023

#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary

5 stars for overall experience

5-Stars for teaching quality

    • Film and television
    • Technology
    • University

    Swinburne extends partnership with ACMI

    Swinburne University of Technology has extended its partnership with the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and announced a new exhibition space called Swinburne Studio.

    Wednesday 10 March 2021

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).

Guaranteed Entry ATAR

60.0

Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]

61.4

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. 

Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply. 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.

*Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

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 30 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 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check 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.

Apply for a pathway course

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

Note: This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.

How credit points work

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.

16
Core units
+
8
Major units
+
8
Elective units
=
4-year double degree

What your course could look like

This is the indicative sequence for Semester 1, 2025 only. You are advised to use the study plan template available via your student portal in conjunction with your course planner to plan your studies. Sequence may also vary depending on advanced standing and exemptions. The unit offering information is correct at the time of publication, however changes may occur.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Technology and Society
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ART10002
Skills and Strategies for Social Change
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ART20003
Changemakers in Action
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ART30004
BA Professional Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ART30005
Major units (Ethics and Technology)
Popular Culture, Social Change and Technology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
SOC10014
Introduction to Ethics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PHI10008
Digital Justice
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
POL20019
Technology, Intimacy and Family Life
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
SOC20003
Winners and Losers: The Politics and Ethics of Work
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
POL20018
Thinking and Intelligence: Critical, Creative, Artificial
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PHI30011
Planet B: Space and Extra-Terrestrial Ethics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PHI30012
Bodies, Health and Technology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
SOC30021
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Introduction to Research Methods
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, Psychology majors only
PSY10005
Brain and Behaviour
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY10007
Fundamentals of Psychology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY10008
Foundations of Statistics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
STA10003
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
Option 1
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Humanities
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
SOC20018
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20002
Integrated Professional Placement B - Humanities
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
SOC20019
or
Option 2
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Psychological Sciences
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
PSY20014
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20002
Integrated Professional Placement B - Psychological Sciences
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
PSY20015

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$13,153

Total fee* ($AUD)

$52,612

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$42,160.00

Fees are estimates only

Published student tuition fees for 2024 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 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)

$365

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

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.

Professional placement fees

Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

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
BB-ARTPSY
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
BB-ARTPSY
Apply directly
Course code
BB-ARTPSY
CRICOS code
106700B
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)
3400212461
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400212463
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
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-August-2025
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
12-November-2024