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.

View the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) course handbook
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.

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

CRICOS course code
0100754
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 2023

83.5% 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:

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 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.

6
Core units
=
Honours degree

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

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$8,948

Total fee* ($AUD)

$8,948

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$45,040.00

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-PSYSC
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! 

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.

Intake closing date

  • Semester 1 2025 – 5pm, Wednesday 30 October 2024
Course code
BH-PSYSC
Apply directly
Course code
BH-PSYSC
CRICOS code
0100754
Apply directly
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
12-November-2024