Bachelor of Psychological Sciences
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
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.
Build up your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs, which are a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees and can include placements, internships or industry-linked projects. In this degree, in the Psychology Project (PSY30003), you'll have the opportunity to explore a student-led project with potential links into the industry.
Graduates of this degree are eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours).
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Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 27 February 2023
- Semester 2 - 31 July 2023
VTAC codes
- 3400210893 (IFP)
- 3400210891 (CSP)
Top starting salary in Victoria
Did you know?
Graduates of Swinburne’s undergraduate psychology degrees earn the highest median starting salary in Victoria*.
*The Good Universities Guide 2019
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Research Method | PSY10005 | 12.5 |
| Brain and Behaviour | PSY10007 | 12.5 |
| Fundamentals of Psychology | PSY10008 | 12.5 |
| Foundations of Statistics | STA10003 | 12.5 |
+
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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
+
Other studies
12 units (150 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 150 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
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 Behavioural Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Behavioural Science | BEH20004 | 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 Behavioural Science
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Behavioural Science | BEH20003 | 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.
- 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 Psychological Sciences, graduates will be able to:
- systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in social and behavioural sciences, and psychology
- formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in behavioural studies and psychology
- critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of social and behavioural sciences and psychology
- define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
- apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
- interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
- 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.
Career opportunities
Future career options may include social welfare consultant, medical researcher, child safety officer, clinical worker, health officer and child development officer.
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 three-year undergraduate major in psychology is professionally accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
Fees
- Fees for 2022 and 2023.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
Fees for 2022
| 2022 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$24,063 | $8,021 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Fees for 2023
| 2023 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$24,903 | $8,301 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.
Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.