Key facts
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2023 close 28 May 2023
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Gain an insight into why people think, feel and behave the way they do. After a solid foundation in the elements of human behaviour, your Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) year allows you to pursue a career as a psychologist, and prepare yourself for postgraduate study.
Do you want to learn from industry professionals and begin a rewarding psychology career?
During your honours year, you will get the chance to build on your relevant undergraduate degree and learn an extended range of psychological assessment methods, as well as gain an understanding of the process of formulating psychological opinion in casework.
The research and analytical skills you develop in your honours year will strengthen the quality of your research projects, and become indispensable tools in your future career.
Upon graduating, you will be eligible to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA). If you would like to pursue full registration, you can go on to complete two years of relevant work under the supervision of a registered psychologist, or complete a master’s or doctorate that includes work placement. Students wishing to become fully registered psychologists can then apply to continue their study by undertaking one of the following:
- Master of Psychology (Clinical)
- Master of Psychology (Organisational)
- Master of Professional Psychology
- Doctor of Psychology (Clinical).
Course information
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- H452
- CRICOS code?
- 022030A Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) students must attain 8 credit points.
Psychology Honours consists of two components: coursework and a thesis.
The coursework component (consisting of classes and seminars) contributes 50% to the final grade of Honours awarded. Part time students must complete the coursework component in the first year of their course. As required by the accreditation guidelines of the Australian Psychological Society, the coursework covers:
- research methods;
- issues in psychological assessment; and
- Applied Counselling Skills (Advanced)
For further details of the coursework component, see the unit description for HPS431, HPS432, HPS433 and HPS434
The thesis component (see HPS435 and HPS436) contributes 50% to the final grade of honours awarded. The thesis is a write-up of an individual research project based on an original piece of empirical research. A range of types of data (qualitative, quantitative, subjective, objective) and a range of data-collection settings and methodologies can be used as the basis of the thesis component. The Fourth Year Thesis consists of four components:
Research Project A in Trimester 1
1. Thesis literature review draft (1500-2000 words; 0% hurdle assessment)
2. Thesis proposal presentation (10-minute oral presentation; 0% hurdle assessment)
Research Project B in Trimester 2
3. Thesis poster (A0 research poster; 0% hurdle assessment)
4. Thesis (5500-6000 words; 4 credit points; 100%).
Students are encouraged to attend the annual School Fourth Year Conference online.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.
Core units
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
You can commence Trimester 1 on a part-time or full-time basis.
Trimester 2 - Part time only - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
Applicants who wish to apply for the Trimester 2 intake must take note of the following:
Trimester 2 commences one week earlier than the Deakin calendar for H452 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), the fourth-year of H345 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and H650 Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) courses.
You will be commencing Trimester 2 on a part-time basis with only course work units in T2 (HPS433/HPY710 Client-Centred Skills in Practice and HPS434/HPY712 Psychology Research Methods (Advanced).
Complete the course in the following year by undertaking the research thesis units (HPS435/HPY720) in Trimester 1 and (HPS436/HPY721) Trimester 2 and course work units (HPS431/HPS715 and HPS432/HPS742) in Trimester 1.
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
There are no mandatory student checks required for this course.
Workload
You should be able to commit 35 hours a week to your honours degree
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
Not applicable
Entry requirements
Higher education study
If you successfully completed your bachelor degree, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
Entry will be based on performance in
Internal applicants:
- Bachelor Degree from Deakin University with an approved three-year major sequence in psychology with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in Research Methods B and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 Psychology core units, or
- Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science or Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies from Deakin University with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in Research Methods B and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 Psychology core units.
Note: Applicants will be ranked on the basis of the marks achieved in the level-2 and level-3 HPS core units completed at Deakin University. This rank may also take into account marks achieved for level-2 or level-3 psychology core units (or their equivalent) completed at another institution and for which the applicant received recognition of prior learning from Deakin University.
External Applicants:
- Bachelor Degree (with an APAC accredited three-year major sequence in psychology) with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in a level three psychology Research Methods unit and a minimum average of 75% over all level-2 and level-3 Psychology core units, or
- A Foundation Level 1 APAC accredited Psychology course or equivalent (for example: a 3-year bridging course - Graduate Diploma of Psychology) with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in level three psychology Research Methods unit and a minimum average of 75% over all level-2 and level-3 Psychology core units.
Indigenous Entry Stream
To be eligible for consideration for a place in the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) course, Indigenous Entry Stream applicants must meet the following admission criteria
- Recognition as an Indigenous Australian
and - Provide confirmation of Aboriginality from their community
and - Complete and submit the Indigenous Entry Stream application
And
Have completed the following requirements:
- Bachelor degree (with an APAC accredited three-year major sequence in psychology) with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in a level three psychology Research methods unit and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 Psychology core units or
- A Foundation level 1 APAC accredited Psychology course or equivalent (for example: a three year bridging course – Graduate Diploma of Psychology) with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in level three psychology Research Methods unit and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 Psychology core units.
Applicants who have not completed their course by application closing dates:
- Conditional offers may be granted to eligible students.
- Final assessment will occur when we receive your final results.
- You will be able to allocate your timetable from the day you receive your offer and CONFIRM and ENROL in the units.
- If you have a conditional offer, the content will be made available for you until full assessment occurs.
All Applicants:
There is a quota on places in the Psychology Honours program and meeting the criteria does not guarantee acceptance into Psychology Honours. It is worth noting that the minimum mark average of Level 2 and Level 3 psychology core units (i.e. the mark 'cut-off') required for entry to Honours in recent years has been at or above 75%.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Entry information
Indigenous Entry Stream
The Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) offers an Indigenous Entry Stream. For more information go to Learn more about this scheme, eligibility and how to apply.
Recognition of prior learning
The only means of entry into the course is when students have already successfully completed an undergraduate degree (Level 7) with a 10-credit point major in the discipline of psychology within the last ten years from Deakin University. Individual applications for specific Recognition of Prior Learning will be considered on an individual basis. Upon graduation, while students are eligible to apply for further study in psychology, they will not be able to automatically articulate into higher-level psychology courses.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose to study as each unit has its own costs. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together 8 credit points of a typical combination of units for that course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through the Applicant Portal. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Entry pathways
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs.
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Mon–Thurs, 8am–7pm, Fri 8am–5pm
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Want a degree that’s more than just a qualification? Our industry connections, world-class facilities and practical approach to learning are just some of the reasons why Deakin students graduate confident and ready to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow.
Career outcomes
Upon graduation, if you choose not to continue with further study in psychology, your possible career options include work in:
- hospitals and clinics
- mental health organisations
- community support services
- human resources
- marketing and social research
- corrective services
- policy development
- justice and advocacy systems.
If you choose to continue studying to pursue full registration as a psychologist, you may find employment in a variety of settings such as:
- clinical psychologist
- cognitive neuroscientist
- counsellor
- criminal psychologist
- educational and developmental psychologist
- family therapist
- forensic psychologist
- health and community psychologist
- mental health officer
- organisational psychologist
- rehabilitation counsellor
- sport and exercise psychologist
- youth psychologist.
Professional recognition
This course is recognised for registration purposes by the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) and is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). As a graduate, you’ll be eligible to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist and for entry to APAC accredited master or doctoral level training programs that lead to registration as a psychologist.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate understanding of advanced knowledge (theoretical, empirical and practical) in the areas of psychological assessment, counselling, advanced research methods and research practice. |
| Communication | Demonstrate clear written and oral communication skills in order to convey complex psychological knowledge and ideas to laypeople and professionals. |
| Digital literacy | Apply advanced skills to select appropriate digital tools to source, interpret, adapt, collate, analyse and disseminate discipline specific information in psychology to a variety of audiences relevant to pre-professional practice of psychology. |
| Critical thinking | Competence in the design and conduct of research, critically evaluate, synthesise and integrate complex scientific evidence, and apply this knowledge to assessment, counselling and case management that demonstrate evidence-based pre-professional practice in the field of psychology. |
| Problem solving | Respect and use critical and creative thinking, sceptical inquiry and the scientific approach to solve problems related to research and applied skills (psychological assessment, counselling and case-management) in the field of psychology. |
| Self-management | Display high level self-management through reflection, continual improvement and learning that reinforces the importance of responsibility and accountability for pre-professional development in the field of psychology. |
| Teamwork | Communicate effectively in a variety of formats and in a variety of contexts with diverse ethnic and cultural partners and teams. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate, report and apply ethical principles to understand how to work productively in the field of psychology within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts by collaborating and communicating in a self-reflective and culturally sensitive manner. |
Events Explore more events
Careers in psychology - Danielle's story
Learn about how Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) helped Danielle to prepare for her role at Ventia.