Bachelor of Psychological Sciences | Courses | Swinburne University

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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).

Start dates

Hawthorn campus

Semester 1 - 1 March 2021
Semester 2 - 2 August 2021

View application and start dates

Duration

3 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Full-time, Part-time

VTAC codes

3400210893 (IFP)
3400210891 (CSP)

Faculty

Faculty of Health, Arts and Design

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

Core studies

4 units (50 credit points)

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

Major in Psychology

8 units (100 credit points)

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
Abnormal Psychology *	PSY30010	12.5
History and Philosophy of Psychology	PSY30013	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 + Co-major + Minors + Elective units + Signature Series

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 professional placement 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.

Co-major (100 credit points)

A co-major is a major in a field of study outside this course. You can choose one in addition to a first major. Co-majors will not be named on your testamur certificate however will be shown on your transcript of results.

Minors (50 credit points)

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.

Elective units

Any of the following units may be undertaken.

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Academic Literacies: Situating University Knowledge	ART10001	12.5
Criminology: Theory and Practice	CRI10001	12.5
Introduction to Forensic Psychology	FOR10001	12.5
Introduction to Forensic Science	FOR10002	12.5
Introduction to Health Sciences	HEA10001	12.5
Neuroscience	NEU10002	12.5
History of Ideas	PHI10001	12.5
Introduction to Philosophy	PHI10002	12.5
Critical Thinking	PHI10003	12.5
Introduction to Sports Psychology	SPO10002	12.5
Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology	FOR30001	12.5
Health Promotion	HEP20002	12.5
Introductory Neurophysiology	NEU20006	12.5
Introduction to Theories of Counselling	PSY20001	12.5
Psychology of Adolescence	PSY20003	12.5
Sports Psychology	PSY20005	12.5
Psychology of Infancy and Early Childhood	PSY20008	12.5
Dimensions of Human Sexuality	PSY20009	12.5
Human Factors Psychology	PSY20011	12.5
Sport Science Introduction	SPH10001	12.5
Sports Statistics	STA20004	12.5
Introduction to Management	MGT10001	12.5
Psychology of Health	PSY30001	12.5
Psychology of Wellbeing	PSY30011	25
Psychology of Trauma	PSY30012	12.5
Applied Social Psychology	PSY30014	12.5
Advanced Topics in Sports Psychology	SPO30002	12.5

Signature Series

A Swinburne education prepares you for life. That’s why we’ve developed the Swinburne Signature Series. It’s a suite of study opportunities that embody Swinburne’s ethos – of confidence, clarity and adventure. These opportunities give our students something extra; whether that’s a new perspective on the world through a Study Tour unit, an expanded sense of possibilities through our Innovation Minor, or a deeper understanding and respect for culture through our Indigenous Minor. Like Swinburne University itself, our Signature Series will grow and adapt to reflect the evolving issues of the day.

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 2021.

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

2021 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)	$23,850	$7,950	See how your SSAF is calculated

Fees are estimates only: The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2021 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. Students who participate in a six or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

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.

How to enter this course

- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

Entry requirements

2022 Guaranteed Entry ATAR: 60

Or, via Early Entry Program – range of criteria with school recommendation. Head here for more info on this program and the VTAC code associated with this entry pathway.

In addition:

One of -

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

Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry if they have significant and relevant work experience and/or upon completion of the STAT test.

Course Prerequisites

VCE Units 3 and 4 – a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or equivalent.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. See Admissions at Swinburne for general information about the admission process.

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

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.