APAC-accredited psychology pathway
Fast-track your psychology studies
Flexible online and on-campus study
Why choose psychological science at Deakin
Designed for graduates from another discipline, the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science provides an accelerated pathway into the study of psychology and human behaviour. Accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), the course introduces foundational psychology knowledge while preparing you for further psychology study.
You will explore core areas of psychology including child development, psychopathology, social behaviour, and neuroscience while developing research, analytical and communication skills. Delivered by academics active in the field, the course combines psychological theory with insights into human behaviour and mental processes.
Offered on campus and online, the course provides flexible study options and can be completed in as little as one year full-time. Graduates can pursue APAC-accredited fourth-year study or apply psychology knowledge across a range of professional settings.
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Fast-track your pathway into psychology
Build foundational psychology knowledge through an APAC-accredited course designed for graduates from another discipline.
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#1 in Victoria for psychology facilities and resources
Study in a leading learning environment that supports psychology learning, research and student success.
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Flexible study designed for career changers
Study online or on campus while balancing your studies with professional and personal commitments.
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Prepare for further psychology study
Build the knowledge and skills needed to pursue APAC-accredited fourth-year psychology programs and future psychology pathways.
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 Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science equips you with an understanding of human behaviour and the research, communication and critical thinking skills employers value.
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
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*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.
Some courses have limited places, apply early to avoid missing out.
What will I study in the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science?
Develop foundational knowledge and skills in psychology through an accelerated program of study designed for graduates from another discipline. You will explore core psychological theories, research methods and approaches to understanding human behaviour, while building analytical, communication and research capabilities.
Build foundations in psychology and human behaviour
Explore core areas of psychology
Build foundational knowledge in cognitive, social, personality and biological psychology, examining how people think, feel and behave.
Understand human development and mental health
Examine child and adolescent development, psychopathology and the psychological factors that influence wellbeing and behaviour.
Complete an APAC-accredited psychology sequence
Develop research and analytical capabilities through psychology research methods while preparing for APAC-accredited fourth-year psychology study.
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science, you must pass 10 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
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
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
Professional recognition
The Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). This means that by completing this course you can:
- apply for a fourth-year of study (e.g. honours equivalent) which will then enable you to apply to the Psychology Board of Australia for provisional registration as a psychologist once you meet their requirements
- after completing your fourth-year of study, you can then apply for further study in an APAC-accredited master or doctoral level course that leads to general registration as a psychologist.
What to expect while studying
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.
There are no mandatory student checks for this course
It is expected that students will spend approximately 150 hours per trimester, per credit point.
To complete this course in one year, domestic students are required to complete units in Trimester 3.
Not applicable
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 |
|---|
| Achieve a deep conceptual understanding of the major ideas, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends in the core topics of psychology. |
| Communicate effectively in a variety of formats and in a variety of contexts including with diverse ethnic and cultural partners and within teams. |
| Be able to use digital technologies to source appropriate materials, conduct research and disseminate findings. |
| Respect and use critical and creative thinking, sceptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to solve problems related to behaviour and mental processes. Understand and apply and evaluate basic research methods in psychology including research design, data analysis and interpretation to solve real world problems. |
| Respect and use critical and creative thinking, sceptical inquiry and the scientific approach to solve problems related to behaviour and mental processes. |
| Understand and appreciate the core values of psychology (i.e. value empirical evidence; tolerate ambiguity during the search for a greater understanding of behaviour and knowledge structures ;act ethically and professionally; understand the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity and reflect other values that are the underpinning of psychology as a discipline). |
| Demonstrate understanding and sufficient responsibility for working in a team, including effective communication for task planning, co-ordination, decision-making and evaluation within the team situation. |
| 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. |
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H603
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$41,000
for 10 CP - Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 10 credit points for units undertaken within the same academic year for students commencing in Trimester 1 2027 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. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer all or part of your tuition fees.
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 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
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.
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.
Pathways
The only means of entry into the course is when students have already successfully completed an undergraduate degree (Level 7) in a discipline other than psychology, from a recognised tertiary institution. Individual applications for specific Recognition of prior learning will be considered on an individual basis. Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply for further study in psychology, but they will not be able to articulate into higher-level psychology courses automatically.