Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) - with a major in Psychology | Courses | Swinburne University

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The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is an integrated four-year program designed to satisfy the first step towards becoming a professional psychologist.

This degree will provide you the knowledge and skills to understand and explain human behaviour and relationships. You’ll learn about abnormal psychology, cognition, developmental psychology, psychological assessment, personality, social psychology and statistics, as well as biology, chemistry and physiology.

Work Integrated Learning is a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. In this degree, you’ll complete an industry-linked research project as well as pre-professional training.

The course is designed to prepare you for postgraduate studies in specialist areas of professional psychology such as counselling, clinical, organisational or sports psychology, or to pursue a career in research.

The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is professionally accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

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ATAR 85 2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR

Start dates

Hawthorn campus

Semester 1 - 26 February 2024

View application and start dates

Duration

4 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Full-time, Part-time

VTAC codes

3400210913 (IFP)
3400210911 (CSP)

Course details

- Course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.

Course structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 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 Methods	PSY10005	12.5
Brain and Behaviour	PSY10007	12.5
Fundamentals of Psychology	PSY10008	12.5
Foundation of Statistics	STA10003	12.5

Major in Psychology

14 units (200 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
Advanced Quantitative Methods *	PSY40001	12.5
Honours Thesis B *	PSY40002	25
Ethical and Professional Issues *	PSY40005	12.5
Psychological Assessment *	PSY40006	12.5
Counselling Psychology *	PSY40008	12.5
Honours Thesis A *	PSY40009	25

*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 + Advanced minor + 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 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.

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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.

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.

Advanced minor (50 credit points)

Advanced minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points in a field of study which builds upon your first major. Advanced minors can only be taken in conjunction with specific majors - more information will be available soon.

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.
The following minors are suggested for this course. Please also refer to the full list of available minors.

Elective units

Any of the following units may be undertaken.

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Criminology: Theory and Practice	CRI10001	12.5
Introduction to Forensic Psychology	FOR10001	12.5
Introduction to Health Sciences	HEA10001	12.5
Digital Health Foundations	HEA10004	12.5
Introduction to Management	MGT10001	12.5
Neuroscience	NEU10002	12.5
Introduction to Philosophy	PHI10002	12.5
Introduction to Sports Psychology	SPO10002	12.5
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention	HEP20002	12.5
Neurophysiology	NEU20006	12.5
Theories of Counselling	PSY20001	12.5
Psychology of Adolescence	PSY20003	12.5
Psychology of Infancy and Early Childhood	PSY20008	12.5
Dimensions of Human Sexuality	PSY20009	12.5
Human Factors Psychology	PSY20011	12.5
Survey Research Methods	STA20005	12.5
Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology	FOR30001	12.5
Psychology of Health	PSY30001	12.5
Psychology of Wellbeing	PSY30011	12.5
Applied Social Psychology	PSY30014	12.5
Neuropsychology Methods	NEU40001	12.5
Neuroscience Methods	NEU40002	12.5
Current Issues in Social Psychology	PSY40004	12.5
Counselling Psychology	PSY40008	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

Honours

Honours Calculation

The total Honours Result is based on the weighted average of units, with the following descriptive outcomes:

H1A – First Class Honours 80% - 100%
H2A – Second Class Honours A 70% - 79%
H2B – Second Class Honours B 60% to 69%
H3 – Third Class honours 50% - 59%.

Units included in calculation and weighting:

PSY40001 Advanced Quantitative Methods (12.5 credit points), weighting of 12.5% in final honours result
PSY40006 Psychological Assessment (12.5 credit points), weighting of 12.5% in final honours result
PSY40005 Ethics and Professional Issues in Psychology (12.5 credit points), weighting of 12.5% in final honours result
PSY40009 Honours Thesis A (25 credit points), weighting of 25% in final honours result
PSY40002 Honours Thesis B (25 credit points), weighting of 25% in final honours result.

Electives (students choose ONE):

PSY40004 Current Issues in Social Psychology or
PSY40008 Counselling Psychology or
NEU40002 Neuroscience Methods or
NEU40001 Neuropsychology Methods

Whichever elective is completed will be weighted at 12.5% in the final honours result.

Course learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), graduates will be able to:

1. Explain and critically evaluate the theoretical underpinnings, advanced theories, and methods of scientific psychology.
2. Communicate and work effectively in contexts relevant to professional, clinical, and resaerch applications of psychology.
3. Explain and apply the principles of selection, development, administration, and interpretation of reliable and valid psychological tests that are situationally and culturally appropriate.
4. Explain and apply basic assessment techniques and strategies for psychological practice.
5. Describe, evaluate, and explain the application of basic psychological interventions for a range of contexts.
6. Work with a high degree of independence to design, conduct, evaluate, and report original research.
7. Apply psychological concepts, theories, and methods in a science-based, safe, and ethical manner, that shows awareness of situation, culture and individual diversity.

Career opportunities

Future career options for graduates of this degree may include social welfare consultant, medical researcher, child safety officer, health officer, clinical worker and child development officer.

Graduates seeking general registration as practicing psychologists in Australia must 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 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is professionally accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Fees

- Fees for 2023.

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

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)	$33,204	$8,301	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 2023 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, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

Entry requirements

2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR: 85

Qualifications

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

Course prerequisites

VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent

Information for applicants

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.

Notes

The University may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements. Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. See Admissions at Swinburne, for general information about 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.

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.

An entry pathway into this program may be available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. For more information, contact the Moondani Toombadool Centre: indigenousstudents@swin.edu.au

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