Studying Psychology at Deakin: Frequently Asked Questions

Information about all the courses at Deakin can be found on the Deakin courses website.

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Students can complete a full 3-year undergraduate psychology sequence on-campus on both the Melbourne campus at Burwood, Geelong campus at Waurn Ponds, and the Warrnambool campus, as well as in off-campus mode.

Honours and the Graduate Diploma of Psychology can be studied at the Geelong campus at Waterfront or the Melbourne campus at Burwood.

Postgraduate students wishing to undertake research and coursework in the specialist areas of Clinical, Forensic and Health can do so on the Melbourne campus. Students wishing to undertake research and coursework in the specialist areas of Industrial and Organisational or Clinical Psychology can do so on the Geelong campus at the Waterfront. Higher degrees by research can be undertaken on any campus.

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There are a number of degrees in which you can study Psychology at Deakin University, and information about these is available on the Future students webpage. Students can also view our pathway brochures of studies in Psychology on Geelong/Warrnambool (pdf, 48k) (Opens in new window) campuses or Melbourne (pdf , 49k) (Opens in new window) campus.

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A number of Psychology units are available off-campus, and are indentified by an 'X' in the unit description in the handbook. If you are planning to study by distance education, you will find some useful information about resources available to you through DUSA Student Support (Opens in new window)

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Students intending to become psychologists must undertake four years of academic study (three years of undergraduate study, plus either a Level-4 Honours year or the Graduate Diploma of Psychology). This is followed by either two years of supervised practice as a probationary psychologist, or postgraduate studies.

Professional Recognition
Registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) (Opens in new window) currently requires four years of academic study (three years of undergraduate study plus either a level-4 Honours year or the Graduate Diploma of Psychology, followed by two years of supervised practice), however this is currently under review. You must be a registered Psychologist to practise as a Psychologist, and to use the title Psychologist.

To become a full member of the Australian Psychological Society Ltd (APS) (Opens in new window) requires six years of academic study. To become an associate member requires a four-year sequence of academic study.

Deakin's Psychology sequence is recognised by both the PRBV and the APS.

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There is currently a mid-year intake only in the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies. Those applying for undergraduate degrees should check with the Course Chair regarding the possibility of mid-year intake.

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When you are finalising your enrolment, the Faculty's enrolment officer will be able to confirm your eligibility for credit for any prior studies.

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Students seeking credit for study to be undertaken at another institution concurrently with their enrolment in a course at Deakin must make written application to the Faculty prior to commencing that study. Where a student does not gain such prior approval from the relevant Enrolment Officer, the student may not obtain credit towards the award for that study undertaken. Note that cross-institutional enrolment is not normally permitted in units which are available at Deakin.

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If you are enrolled in another degree at Deakin, you can take Psychology units as electives within your degree, or you can take single units on a fee-paying basis if they are additional to your course requirements.

Some Psychology units are available as single-subjects for non-Deakin students who meet the relevant pre-requisites.

For more information about single-subject (non-award) enrolment, please contact Customer Service, tel: 03 9246 8333.

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Students are encouraged to consider opportunities to study part of their course abroad, for which credit may be obtained, in an approved partner institution. Further information is available through the Deakin International Education Abroad website.

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Please visit the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Opens in new window) page for FAQs about the course.

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Please visit the Honours (Opens in new window) page for FAQs about the course.

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