Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
with a major in Psychology – Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
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).
VTAC codes
- 3400210913 (IFP)
- 3400210911 (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 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
| 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 |
+
| 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
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.
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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
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 |
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, 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.
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.