Key facts
4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course available to local students only
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2023 close 25 June 2023
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2023 close 29 October 2023
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Join one of the strongest growth areas within the health sector^ and study the mind and its processes, behaviour and mental states with Deakin's Bachelor of Psychology (Honours). An honours year is included in this four-year degree, distinguishing it from our other psychology courses. Honours includes practical training preparing you for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and sets you on the pathway to general registration.
Deakin is the only Victorian university where you can study specialist psychology majors during your undergraduate degree, allowing you to learn what you are passionate about sooner. Core employability-orientated units and the option of undertaking 140 hours of professional placements provide valuable industry experience and strengthen your employment prospects. In your honours year, you will complete an individual research project and learn advanced studies in counselling, psychological assessment, ethics and research methods.
Do you want to become an expert in human behaviour, personality and emotion, and use those skills to help people?
Psychology is about understanding the underlying mental processes and factors behind human behaviour. This course will equip you with the skills and strategies to be able to help people, no matter which area of psychology you pursue.
This degree differs to the Bachelor of Psychological Science and the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), as it has an honours year embedded in the course. When you graduate, you’ll have the option of two distinct career paths – further study in pursuit of general registration as a psychologist, or employment in psychology-related fields that don’t require registration, such as:
- counselling
- social work
- youth work
- careers counselling
- life counselling
- mental health rehabilitation
- marketing
- social research
- human resources management
- developmental psychology.
The course’s Psychology in Practice units will ensure you graduate with work-ready skills and provide you with alternative employment pathways. Careers in psychology-related fields are always evolving, visit deakin.edu.au/psychology-careers to discover the exciting range of careers that you could pursue.
During the course, you can select a specialist major in Child and Family, Organisational Studies or Forensic Studies. In addition to your chosen major sequence, you will cover a number of broad areas of psychology, including:
- behavioural and clinical neuroscience
- child and adolescent psychology
- cognitive psychology
- forensic psychology
- psychopathology
- relationships and the psychology of groups
As a graduate, you will be eligible to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist, as well as APAC-accredited masters or doctoral-level training programs that lead to full registration as a psychologist, including:
- Master of Psychology (Clinical)
- Master of Psychology (Organisational)
- Master of Professional Psychology
- Doctor of Psychology (Clinical).
You will also have the opportunity to develop your counselling and coaching skills through Applied Counselling Skills core units, and/or through one of our online postgraduate counselling courses.
Deakin’s School of Psychology is one of the largest and most progressive psychology departments in Australia. The school has strong partnerships with industry, including collaborative activities with government agencies, public and private organisations, hospitals and other universities. These partnerships ensure your degree remains relevant to industry and workforce needs. You will be in high demand by employers who want graduates that are ready to face challenges with confidence.
^2021 Employment Outlook - for the five years to November 2026, Australian Government National Skills Commission
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
- Year
2023 course information
- VTAC code
1400315151 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400515151 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400615151 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)- Deakin code
- H345
- 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 7.
Course structure
To complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), students must attain 32 credit points including:
- 4 credit points of Foundations of Psychology
- 8 credit points of Psychology Essentials
- 4 credit points of Psychology in Practice
- 2 credit points of Psychology course electives
- 8 credit points of Psychology Honours
Plus, either:
- 6 credit points of electives (psychology course electives or University open electives) OR
- 6 credit point psychology major
Students must also ensure that they have met the following course rules to be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours):
- a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3
- HAI010 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
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).
Eligibility
To be eligible for a place in the Psychology Honours program, students will have:
- Completed the first three levels of the course (i.e., they will have achieved 24 credit points)
- Achieve a minimum of 65% in Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)
- Achieve a minimum of 80% or above across the Psychology Essentials units (8 units including Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)). Entry will also be determined by the availability of supervisors and resources.
The 80% cut-off may vary, depending on the availability of Honours places. Students who meet the selection cut-off, and successfully complete the Honours year, will graduate with one-degree H345 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours). Failure to meet the above WAM requirements will result in an alternative exit from H345 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) with a degree of H344 Bachelor of Psychological Science provided the student meets the course requirements of H344. Students who have taken an alternative exit of H344 Bachelor of Psychological Science may apply for entry to the less competitive fee-paying alternative to Honours: H650 Graduate Diploma of Psychology. Students who do not wish to complete the honours year may also opt for the H344 Bachelor of Psychological Science alternative exit.
24
Compulsory credit points
2
Psychology electives
6
Elective units
32
Total
Core units
Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2023 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2023 can refer to previous online Handbooks.
^ Foundations of Psychology unit
*Psychology in Practice unit
# Psychology Essentials unit
^^Psychology Honours 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
Level 4 - Trimester 1
Level 4 - Trimester 2
Note: for Psychology 4th year admission (Honours or equivalent), students are assessed on the WAM of Psychology Essentials
Major sequences
The following majors are available within the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Elective units
Psychology Course Electives
Two credit points from:
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:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
Applicants who have completed an APAC accredited psychology undergraduate course or an APAC accredited psychology major should apply for the courses H452 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or H650 Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
Applicants who have completed an APAC accredited psychology undergraduate course or an APAC accredited psychology major should apply for the courses H452 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or H650 Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
Applicants who have completed an APAC accredited psychology undergraduate course or an APAC accredited psychology major should apply for the courses H452 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or H650 Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).
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
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. The academic program usually consists of an approved undergraduate psychology sequence followed by an approved fourth-year of study, such as Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology 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. Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) can lead directly to provisional registration provided the honours year is completed within this four-year course.
In order to gain full registration, provisional psychologists must then complete either two years of supervised practice, or a minimum two years of further study, which may include: Master of Psychology, Doctor of Psychology or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (with supervised practice completed outside the degree).
Note: This course is currently accredited as at the date of publishing.
Bachelor of Psychological Science (H344)
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
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. Refer the relevant unit guide.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, 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.
Work experience
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.
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Entry requirements
Current or recent Year 12
If you are currently studying Year 12 or completed Year 12 in the previous two years and have not attempted higher education or VET/Polytechnic study since, your selection is based on the following.
VCE Prerequisite subjects
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection consideration
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Higher education study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of higher education after secondary schooling, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish experience to be considered should include this information on their personal statement. Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
VET study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your secondary education and subsequent academic records as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish experience to be considered should include this information on their personal statement. Learn more about the personal statement.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
All Faculty of Health undergraduate courses require you to sit a STAT Multiple Choice if you have not completed a Year 12 (senior secondary education, or equivalent) in the last 10 years (from commencement date of the course applied for).
STAT Multiple choice is not required if you have undertaken any tertiary study (minimum Certificate IV or higher).
Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Work and life experience
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago or did not finish Year 12, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
All Faculty of Health undergraduate courses require you to sit a STAT Multiple Choice if you have not completed a Year 12 (senior secondary education, or equivalent) in the last 10 years (from commencement date of the course applied for).
STAT Multiple choice is not required if you have undertaken any tertiary study (minimum Certificate IV or higher).
Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish experience to be considered should include this information on their personal statement. Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Selection adjustments
Subject adjustment
A study score of 35 in Biology, Health and Human Development, any Mathematics or Psychology equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in Biology, Health and Human Development, any Mathematics or Psychology equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
Access and equity
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enable Deakin to consider disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and the impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you’re from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin’s special entry access schemes.
Admissions information
Learn more about this course and others that Deakin offers by visiting VTAC for more information. You can also discover how Deakin compares to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning by visiting the ComparED website.
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enables Deakin to consider disadvantageous circumstances you may have experienced and their impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you're from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements.
You can also find out about different entry pathways into Deakin courses if you can't get in straight from high school.
Finally, Deakin is committed to admissions transparency. As part of that commitment, you can learn more about our first intake of 2023 students (PDF, 354.0KB) - their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
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 System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
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 for Trimester 1, 2024 open in August. Each year, thousands of students prepare for uni with the help of Deakin support services. We offer a huge range of support, including one-on-one consultations, webinars, online resources and events throughout the year.
Direct applications are open for applicants who are not currently in Year 12, including:
- recent Year 12 students who completed secondary education in the past two years
- applicants with work and life experience
- applicants with TAFE study
- applicants with higher education study.
Please note: If you’re applying for more than one course, you need to apply through VTAC.
The Indigenous Access Scheme is a pathway to undergraduate study for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and looks beyond academic results to recognise all the skills, experience and achievements that make you unique and prepare you for study at university.
To apply, complete the online application form.
Entry pathways
View pathways into the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) with our pathways finder.
Once you have successfully completed this course, if you are interested in further study and pursing general registration as a registered psychologist, you may be eligible to apply for an accredited program such as the Master of Professional Psychology, Master of Psychology (Clinical), Master of Psychology (Organisational), or Doctor of Psychology (Clinical).
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
If you are ready to take your psychology career further, the option to become a fully registered psychologist is available by undertaking a master’s or doctorate qualification in psychology.
If you choose to pursue full registration as a psychologist, you may find employment in a variety of roles, including:
- 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.
The contexts in which you work may include:
- private clinics and practices
- public and private hospitals
- business corporate organisations
- schools and universities
- government departments and agencies
- community sporting clubs and institutes
- various social research organisations.
A psychology qualification can prepare you for many diverse, exciting career paths. While some psychology graduates go on to become registered psychologists, many others will pursue roles in complementary professions or entirely different fields. If your passion is not to complete further study to become a registered psychologist, there are still many diverse career options available, including:
- child protection
- family support
- human services
- marketing and communications
- not-for-profit aid
- public health
- social work
- youth work
Additional qualifications may be required for some of the careers listed here, you can find out more about roles and responsibilities, skills, qualifications and experience at deakin.edu.au/psychology/psychology-careers
Professional recognition
All of the psychology courses offered at Deakin meet 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 four-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.
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 | Integrate theoretical knowledge of the discipline of psychology in relation to: health, social, cognitive, methodology, neuroscience, development, and personality. Demonstrate understanding of advanced knowledge (theoretical, empirical and practical) in the areas of psychological assessment, counselling, advanced research methods and research practice. |
| Communication | Communicate psychological knowledge and arguments effectively using the most appropriate means utilising clear, discipline appropriate, coherent and well-developed communication skills. Convey complex psychological knowledge and ideas to laypeople and professionals. 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. |
| 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 | 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. Competence in the design and conduct of research, and skills to critically evaluate, synthesise and integrate complex scientific evidence. Application of knowledge to assessment, counselling and case management to 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 | 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 high-quality and timely outcomes. |
| Teamwork | Collaborate and communicate psychological principles and practices effectively in interdisciplinary teams, in a variety of contexts with diverse ethnic and cultural partners and teams, to work and learn in a range of environments including communities of practice, research and professional practice. |
| Global citizenship | Embody the values and attitudes of the scientist-practitioner. 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, culturally sensitive, and inclusive manner. |
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