Bachelor of Psychological Sciences - OUA | Courses | Swinburne University

Study at Swinburne > Find a course > Bachelor of Psychological Sciences

BA-PSY Degree Send me a link to this course

Studying psychology provides students with the knowledge and skills to understand and explain human behaviour and relationships. The Bachelor of Psychological Sciences provides specialised study in developmental psychology, cognition, social psychology, personality, design and measurement, psychological measurement and abnormal psychology. Students complete a variety of research projects and develop skills in project management, research design and report writing.

The three-year undergraduate major in psychology is professionally accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Graduates of this degree are eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) – Graduate Entry.

Duration

The course is delivered off-campus via Open Universities Australia, therefore completion of the various units is self-paced.

Online

Course details

- Description, course structure and professional recognition.

Course description

The Bachelor of Psychological Sciences provides students with knowledge and skills that will improve their ability to understand and explain human behaviour and relationships.

The Psychology sequence within the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). This course provides a first step to becoming a professional psychologist.

After completing a degree with an APAC accredited major in psychology, students may apply to undertake a fourth year in psychology and then further study in specialist areas of professional psychology such as counselling, health, clinical, organisational, and sports psychology.

Course structure

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Psychological Sciences, students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

4 core units of study (50 credit points)
1 online core unit of study (12.5 credit points)
8 Psychology discipline major units of study (100 credit points)
11 units of study (137.5 credit points) comprising a second major, co-major, advanced minor, minor/s and/or electives

Students may not complete more than 150 credit points (normally 11 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative.

Find out more about the full course structure and unit listing.

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, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

Entry requirements

2019 Guaranteed Entry ATAR: 60

Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.

VCE prerequisites: Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in English (or equivalent) or 30 in English (EAL). Non-Year 12 entry

Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Degrees). 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.

The university may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry 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.

Progress from this course to Bachelor of Psychological Sciences	Maximum amount of credit available
Diploma of Health Science (UniLink) (8 months)	8 units

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.

Learn more about pathways.

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. Learn more about credit.

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. Learn more about RPL.

How to apply

Find out more about how to apply for the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences.

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