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Studying Psychology at Deakin: Frequently Asked Questions


  1. How can I find out about courses in Psychology available at Deakin University?
  2. Where can I study Psychology?
  3. How can I study Psychology?
  4. Can I study Psychology off-campus?
  5. What are the requirements to become a practising Psychologist?
  6. Is there mid-year intake?
  7. Is it possible to get Advanced Standing for previous studies?
  8. Am I able to study units at another university (cross-instituional [complementary] enrolment)?
  9. Can I enrol in a single subject (non-award study)?
  10. Am I able to complete some of my studies overseas?
  11. I have some questions about the Graduate Diploma of Psychology.
  12. I have some questions about Honours in Psychology.

  1. How can I find out about courses in Psychology available at Deakin University?

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

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  2. Where can I study Psychology?

    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 on the Geelong at the Waterfront or 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; or 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. Studies in Professional Practice can be undertaken in off-campus and part-time mode. Higher degrees by research can be undertaken on any campus.

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  3. How can I study Psychology?

    There are a number of degrees in which you can study Psychology at Deakin University, and information about them is available on the Future students webpage. You may also like to download a brochure containing general information about undergraduate and fourth-year courses (pdf, 1.9Mb) at Deakin, or the path of studies in psychology on Geelong/Warrnambool (pdf, 48k) campuses or Melbourne (pdf , 49k) campus.

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  4. Can I study Psychology off-campus?

    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.

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  5. What are the requirements to become a practising psychologist?

    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 Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria (PRBV) 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) 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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  6. Is there a mid-year intake?

    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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  7. Is it possible to get Advanced Standing (Recognition of Prior Learning) for past studies?

    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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  8. Am I able to study units at another University (cross-institutional [complementary] enrolment)?

    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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  9. 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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  10. Am I able to complete some of my studies overseas?

    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 Deakin International's Education Abroad website.

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  11. I have some questions about the Graduate Diploma of Psychology.

    Please visit the Graduate Diploma of Psychology page for FAQs about the course.

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  12. I have some questions about Honours in Psychology.

    Please visit the Honours page for FAQs about the course.

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