#1 Melbourne university for course satisfaction
#1 university in Melbourne for psychology facilities
APAC accredited course for registration purposes
Why choose arts (psychology) at Deakin
Become an expert in why people think, feel and behave the way they do. Deakin’s Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) gives you the perfect mix of skills sought by employers in one degree, with exposure to two distinct areas of interest and over 30 study areas to choose from.
Build transferable skills through experiential learning. Work in teams during industry placement, develop critical analysis through work-integrated learning and build valuable life skills through global experiences. Combine this with in-depth study in psychology as a scientific discipline and learn about human behaviour and personality. Undertake 140 hours of practical industry placement in your final year of study to flex your new skill set and grow your professional network. As a graduate you may opt to undertake further studies leading to registration.
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Deepen your learning
Study psychology alongside 30+ arts study areas. Choose from digital cultures, history, education and more, to broaden your expertise.
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Accredited course
Deakin’s Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
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Industry focus
Apply theory to real-life issues. The Faculty of Health’s work-integrated learning team can help you secure, and support you through, 140 hours of practical industry placement.
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Strong postgraduate pathways
Graduate eligible to apply for honours and further psychology study or pursue diverse careers across people-focused industries.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build a mix of skills sought by employers while exploring two distinct areas of interest in one degree. Discover the pathway to becoming a psychologist or explore diverse career opportunities available to arts and psychology graduates.
Psychologist
Support individuals, families and communities to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Psychologists assess behaviour, deliver evidence-based interventions and help people navigate emotional, social and behavioural challenges.
- $113k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 16.8%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.3/5
Job satisfaction
Policy analyst
Assist in the planning and development of policies for government or a large organisation. Review policies and collect and analyse data to assist with policy creation and modification.
- $110k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 1,874
Job opportunities
Industries you may work in
- Advertising
- Public health
- Government
- Criminal justice
- Not-for-profits
“Through my degree, I had the opportunity to intern with leading organisations, which gave me a better understanding of how industries and communities work in Australia. The experience helped me grow both professionally and personally.”
KashviBachelor of Arts (Psychology)
Stories that start here
FAQs
Deakin's Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) offers strong practical experience for international students. In the final year, you can complete an internship unit which involves 140 hours of professional placement with industry partners. The degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia.
Combining psychology with an arts major gives you specialist knowledge in human behaviour alongside transferable skills in communication, critical analysis and problem-solving. This combination makes graduates highly employable across diverse industries – from health services and education to business, government and the creative sector. It also keeps career options broad as you discover where your interests lead.
Yes. The Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) includes an APAC-accredited psychology sequence recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia. The next step towards becoming a psychologist involves applying for an honours year, for example, the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours). Once completed, you can then apply for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA). You will then need to undertake further study through a masters or doctorate course to pursue general registration with PsyBA and work as a registered psychologist.
As a Deakin student, you'll have access to dedicated career support throughout your studies and after you graduate. Deakin offers one-on-one career coaching, resume and job application feedback, interview preparation, networking opportunities, employer events, career workshops and access to an exclusive jobs and internships board. You can also access guidance on career planning, work-integrated learning and building your professional skills to help you transition confidently into employment.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)?
This three-year degree combines an accredited psychology sequence with an arts major, helping you understand human behaviour without losing sight of the wider world. You will move from broad foundations to research-led depth, then into advanced study and practical preparation for work or further study.
Core foundation
Establish core psychology knowledge
Explore the foundations of psychology, while building essential research, writing and study skills for further psychology study.
Commence major study
Choose from over 30 study areas including international relations, education, history, media and communication.
Career pathways
It’s never too early to start thinking about your future career. We will support you in this early-stage career development with helpful strategies.
Build your knowledge
Gain hands-on experience
Complete a work-integrated learning opportunity to build real industry insight.
Progress psychology insights
Be guided as you go in-depth in psychology as a scientific discipline and learn about human behaviour and personality.
Develop professional capabilities
Through your study in the arts you will build communication, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Applying knowledge in practice
Psychology at Work (Internship)
Choose to build industry experience and undertake 140 hours of practical industry placement, strengthening your employment prospects.
Graduate career-ready
Consolidate your psychology and arts learning by completing projects, electives and employability units, with optional international experiences, to prepare for your career.
For a career in psychology
This course leads to a fourth-year level of study (honours or graduate diploma level); the next step toward applying for provisional registration as a psychologist.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), you must pass 24 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability. Refer to Bachelor of Arts for list of Arts majors on offer.
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) degree at Deakin meets the requirements of the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) translating into excellent job and career opportunities for our graduates. Upon graduation of this degree, you'll have gained a three-year undergraduate psychology sequence that is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and recognised for registration purposes by the PBA, enabling you to undertake additional study in pursuit of provisional registration.
What to expect while studying
The faculty offers two units AIX160 Introduction to University Study and AIX117 Professional Writing for Work [No longer available for enrolment] which are specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units in their first year.
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Take your learning beyond the classroom by doing a professional work experience placement and/or internship as part of your degree, Work Integrated Learning.
Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.
However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Demonstrate a broad and coherent body of knowledge in the Arts disciplines, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines or areas of practice. |
| Demonstrate highly developed skills in oral, written and electronic communication and the ability to communicate research outcomes, and produce scholarly papers. |
| Research, analyse, synthesise and disseminate information using a range of appropriate technologies and resources in a rapidly-changing global environment. |
| Use critical and analytical thinking and judgement in selecting and applying appropriate theories and methodologies to evaluate information and knowledge about society, culture and the arts. |
| Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate solutions to unpredictable and sometimes complex problems in the Humanities, Social Sciences and the Creative Arts, including cross-disciplinary approaches. |
| Demonstrate autonomy, responsibility and accountability for personal actions and a continued commitment to learning in personal, professional, and scholarly contexts. |
| Work and learn collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals and members of the wider community. |
| Demonstrate an awareness of ethical issues, cultural diversity, and social responsibility when engaging in scholarship and professional roles in the local, national or international community. |
Approved by Faculty Board June 2014
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400316263 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), International full-fee paying place
1400516263 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place - Deakin code
- A301
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 077384J Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$38,200
for 1 yr full-time AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
Apply through VTAC
If you are an international student completing an Australian Year 12 in Australia or overseas, you must submit an application through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). In addition, you may also apply directly to Deakin through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's international student application service.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.