#1 Victorian university for psychology undergraduate employment
#1 Victorian university for psychology facilities and resources
140 hours of industry placement
Why choose psychological science at Deakin
Curious about what makes people think, feel and behave the way they do? Deakin's Bachelor of Psychological Science explores human behaviour and personality, giving you a strong foundation in psychology. Accelerate your degree with our trimester system while studying at the #1 university in Victoria for psychology facilities and resources, and undergraduate employment.
Specialise from your first year with the only Victorian university undergraduate psychology degree offering specialist majors in child and family studies, organisational studies and forensic studies. Build practical skills in communication, counselling and professional practice alongside core areas of psychology.
You can also choose to complete 140 hours of industry placement, with support from Deakin's Faculty of Health work-integrated learning team. This course prepares you for diverse careers in health and a pathway to honours and further study towards registration as a psychologist.
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Study with a leading psychology provider
Study at the #1 Victorian university for psychology facilities and resources.
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Specialise from your first year
Deakin is the only university in Victoria to offer specialist psychology majors in an undergraduate psychology degree, including child and family studies, organisational studies and forensic studies.
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Build in-demand skills for the workplace
Develop a professional portfolio and interview skills through employability-focused units. Complete an APAC-accredited sequence, providing a pathway to further study towards registration as a psychologist.
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Gain practical experience
Choose to complete a 140-hour industry placement, with Deakin’s Faculty of Health work-integrated learning team securing and supporting your experience.
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
Deakin's Bachelor of Psychological Science equips you with an understanding of human behaviour and the research, communication and critical thinking skills employers value. Learn more about the pathway to becoming a psychologist or explore diverse career opportunities available to 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.
- $108k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 16.8%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.3/5
Job satisfaction
Human resources adviser
Apply your understanding of human behaviour to support recruitment, employee wellbeing and workplace culture. Human resources advisers act as a trusted source of guidance for employees and managers across a range of organisations.
- $100k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 13.1%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Industries you may work in
- Healthcare
- Education
- Community services
- Government
- Public health
- Human resources
“The demands of my course have prepared me for achieving my career goals by developing my time management and organisational skills. The doors that it has opened in terms of my job and placement have also supported my to achieve my goals by giving me valuable connections and insight into professional roles.”
EmilyBachelor of Psychological Science
Stories that start here
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
Download a course guide
Study at Deakin and be rewarded with new skills that will give you an edge in the job market
FAQs
Psychology and counselling are related but distinct professions that both support mental health and wellbeing. Psychologists complete a six-year sequence of accredited education and training and must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. Depending on their role and training, they may undertake psychological assessments, diagnose mental health conditions and provide psychological treatment. Counsellors use therapeutic approaches to support individuals, couples and groups with concerns such as mental health, relationships, grief and life transitions. Unlike psychology, counselling is not currently regulated through Australia’s national registration scheme, although practitioners can seek professional registration through associations such as ACA and PACFA. Deakin’s Master of Counselling is accredited by both organisations, supporting graduates to apply for professional registration with them.
To become a registered psychologist in Australia, you'll need to complete an approved psychology sequence followed by further accredited study and training. You can begin with the APAC-accredited three-year Bachelor of Psychological Science, followed by an honours year or fourth year. From there, you can continue through an approved postgraduate pathway, such as a masters or doctorate, or the 5+1 internship pathway, to meet the requirements for general registration. Learn more about Deakin's psychology pathways to registration.
Psychology is the broader discipline covering human behaviour, thinking and emotion, while psychological science refers to the scientific study of psychology with a focus on evidence-based practice, research methods and applying psychological theory to real human experiences. At Deakin, the term appears in some course titles, like the Bachelor of Psychological Science, though the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) also offer accredited psychology study. The right choice depends on how you want to structure your degree and whether you're pursuing a pathway to registration as a psychologist.
Deakin is the only Victorian university to offer specialist psychology majors in child and family studies, organisational studies and forensic studies. Each major lets you go deeper in a specific area of psychological science while still completing the core APAC-accredited curriculum, so you graduate with both broad psychological knowledge and specialist expertise aligned to your career goals.
Not everyone who studies psychology wants to become a registered psychologist, and that's fine. Psychology graduates work in human resources, market research, community services, social policy, health promotion, education, corporate training and leadership. The research, critical thinking and communication skills you develop are transferable across many industries. Deakin's Master of Counselling is open to any bachelors degree holder for those interested in a counselling career without full psychology registration.
*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 Psychological Science?
Develop knowledge of human behaviour through core psychology study while tailoring your degree with flexible major and elective options. Throughout your studies, you will build research and applied skills and explore areas of psychology aligned to your interests and career goals.
Build foundations in psychology
Understand core areas of psychology
Establish foundational knowledge in human behaviour, development and psychological science, including biological, social and cognitive perspectives.
Shape your study focus early
Choose elective or major units from your first year, with options including child and family studies, organisational studies or forensic studies.
Develop core academic skills
Learn to analyse information, think critically and communicate clearly in a psychology context, while being introduced to professional practice.
Deepen knowledge and applied skills
Explore key psychology disciplines
Examine areas such as cognitive, social and developmental psychology to understand behaviour across different contexts.
Build research capability
Develop skills in research design and data analysis through introductory research methods.
Apply counselling and communication skills
Develop skills through Applied Counselling Skills units, preparing you to work with individuals and groups in professional settings.
Apply psychological knowledge in practice
Apply advanced psychological knowledge
Study areas such as personality, psychopathology and biological psychology to deepen your understanding of behaviour and mental processes.
Advance research and analysis skills
Strengthen your ability to design research, analyse data and interpret findings through intermediate research methods.
Gain practical experience and prepare for further study
Choose to undertake a 140-hour industry placement and apply your skills in professional settings. You will complete an APAC-accredited sequence that supports further study towards registration as a psychologist.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Psychological Science, 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
Course Structure
^ Foundations of Psychology unit
* Psychology in Practice unit
# Psychology Essentials unit
Level 1 - Trimester 1
plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit
Level 1 - Trimester 2
plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit
Level 2 - Trimester 1
plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit
Level 2 - Trimester 2
plus two psychology course electives, electives or psychology major units
Level 3 - Trimester 1
plus two psychology course electives, electives or psychology major units
Level 3 - Trimester 2
plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit
Note: for Psychology 4th year admission (Honours or equivalent), students are assessed on the WAM of Psychology Essentials
The following majors are available within the Bachelor of Psychological Science
Warrnambool students wishing to undertake these majors must enrol in the online offerings of the units.
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Psychology Course Electives
Two credit points from:
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Professional recognition
The Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Psychological Science (Child and Family), Bachelor of Psychological Science (Forensic Studies) and Bachelor of Psychological Science (Organisational Studies) are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
If you are seeking to become a registered psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as a graduate from these courses you must next apply for a fourth year of study in psychology, such as Deakin's Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).
What to expect while studying
Registration as a Psychologist
The current requirements for registration as a provisional psychologist include the completion of four years of academic study of psychology that is recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA). The academic program usually consists of an approved undergraduate psychology sequence – such as Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychological Science – followed by an approved fourth year of study (such as Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) or honours in psychology).
Following successful completion of an approved fourth-year of psychology study, you may apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.
In order to gain full registration, provisional psychologists must then complete further study, which may include Master of Professional Psychology, Master of Psychology (Clinical), Master of Psychology (Organisational), Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
In addition to the Bachelor of Psychological Science, psychology may be studied as a three-year major sequence in the following degrees: Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Bachelor of Marketing (Psychology) or Bachelor of Human Resource Management (Psychology). These sequences are designed as terminal studies in psychology to complement other studies within an award.
The 10 credit point undergraduate psychology sequence prepares students for postgraduate training towards becoming a practicing registered psychologist. To practice as a psychologist students must complete an undergraduate degree with a major sequence in psychology followed by a fourth year of study in psychology (an Honours in Psychology or a Graduate Diploma of Psychology) that are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
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.
Following completion of the Bachelor of Psychological Science students intending to become psychologists must successfully apply for and complete a level-4 Honours year or the level-4 Graduate Diploma of Psychology.
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a Police Record Check, Working With Children Check or other check. Refer to the relevant unit guide.
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
As part of this course you will have the option of undertaking 140 hours of industry placement through elective units, and our core employability-orientated units ensure you graduate work-ready. Applied Counselling Skills core units also allow you to develop your counselling and coaching skills.
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 |
|---|
| Integrate theoretical knowledge of the discipline of psychology in relation to: health, social, cognitive, methodology, neuroscience, development, and personality. Demonstrate appropriate communication, counselling, and research methods skills. |
| Communicate psychological knowledge and arguments effectively using the most appropriate means utilising clear, discipline appropriate, coherent and well-developed communication skills. Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding. |
| Utilise online technologies to interact with others, access research and evaluate empirical evidence; and create and disseminate psychology-relevant content. |
| Identify and critique the factors that contribute to the development of unhealthy mental processes and behaviours, develop arguments, reports, or commentaries based on empirical research and apply the results to affect healthy behaviour change in oneself or others, and; apply the skills required to affect healthy behaviour change in oneself and in others in diverse contexts. |
| Apply knowledge of the scientific method when addressing problems related to behaviour and mental processes; design, plan, and conduct research that addresses these problems; and apply analytic and statistical skills to interpret the results and validity of research. |
| Engage in independent learning as a reflective practitioner to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology; and manage resources, timelines and other constraints to achieve quality and timely outcomes. |
| Collaborate and communicate psychological principles and practices effectively in interdisciplinary teams to work and learn in a range of environments including communities of practice, research and professional practice. |
| Embody the values and attitudes of the scientist-practitioner; apply ethical and professional responsibilities to local and global communities, apply knowledge and skills in culturally appropriate and inclusive ways. |
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Psychological Science
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
1400314231 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400514231 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400614231 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400714231 - Warrnambool, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)- Deakin code
- H344
- 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
$10,348
for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
The estimated tuition (student contribution) fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.
Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Apply through VTAC
Applications are open. Apply through VTAC if you're:
- currently in Year 12 and applying for Trimester 1 or Semester 1
- applying for multiple undergraduate courses
Need help? Follow our step-by-step undergraduate guide to prepare and submit your application.
Indigenous Access Scheme
If you’re an Indigenous student, you can apply for this course through the Indigenous Access Scheme. We recognise achievements beyond your ATAR and academic results, considering your skills, experience and community work as preparation for university study.
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.
Please note that a maximum of five credit points can be granted for Psychology core units. You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Not sure if you'll meet entry requirements?
Deakin offers a range of pathways into the Bachelor of Psychological Science to suit your background and goals. Explore the pathways finder to see how previous study, diplomas or alternative qualifications can lead you into the course.
Pathways
The Bachelor of Psychological Science can be used as a pathway to general registration as a psychologist by undertaking a fourth year of study in psychology (an honours year or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) followed by a masters degree such as Deakin's Master of Psychology (Clinical), Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), Master of Psychology (Organisational) (the only course of its kind in Victoria), or Master of Professional Psychology.