Key facts
Duration
1 year full time taken over three consecutive trimesters or part-time equivalent.
Locations
Course overview
Follow your passion and explore a rewarding career change by studying the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science. Designed for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than psychology, the course introduces you to the fundamentals of psychology and human behaviour while fast-tracking your journey to becoming a registered psychologist.
Ready for a career in psychology but don’t want to start from scratch with an undergraduate degree?
If you are looking to move into psychology, but the idea of committing to a three-year undergraduate degree seems a bit daunting, the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science is your perfect option. It allows you to reach your goals, faster. You will be studying the accredited psychology major sequence only, which means you can complete the degree in as little as one year (if you study full-time in trimesters 1, 2 and 3). Plus, the course can be studied on campus or online, giving you the flexibility to achieve your goals on your schedule.
The course may be short in duration, but you will be getting a comprehensive introduction to the human mind and the fundamentals of human behaviour. In your second and third trimester you will be covering more complex topics like child development, psychopathology, neural structure and social behaviour. Course content is industry-led and delivered by passionate teachers who are active contributors to the field – just one of the reasons why postgraduate psychology courses at Deakin rank #1 in Victoria for student satisfaction and have a reputation for teaching quality.*
Once you graduate, even more opportunities start to open up. The Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) – and is the equivalent of a three-year accredited psychology undergraduate degree – so once you graduate you can apply for an APAC-accredited ‘fourth year’ of study that allows you to seek provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Your options include:
Following the completion of a ‘fourth year’ of study, you will then be eligible to apply for the following APAC-accredited courses that lead to general registration as a psychologist:
- Master of Psychology (Organisational) – the only organisational psychology course in Victoria, offered on campus, full-time and part-time
- Master of Psychology (Clinical)
- Master of Professional Psychology
- Doctor of Psychology (Clinical).
If you are not interested in becoming a registered psychologist, you will graduate from this course with a deep understanding of human behaviour that allows you to solve more complex issues and build better relationships in your current role. The skills you will be learning are incredibly valuable across all fields of work and in all walks of life.
For those looking to switch careers, your experiences throughout the course will prepare you for new challenges in a variety of areas including community welfare and case management, human resources, public health, mental health rehabilitation and social work.
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2026 close 21 June 2026
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science
- Year
2026 course information
- Deakin code
- H603
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 099423C Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- 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
Flexible course delivery
Deakin’s blend of online and on-campus learning means you can balance work, study and personal development. Achieve work-life balance – study with Deakin's dedicated support and flexible learning options.
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.
A 10-credit point Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 10 credit points of core units
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.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
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.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
Course duration
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.
Mandatory student checks
There are no mandatory student checks for this course
Workload
It is expected that students will spend approximately 150 hours per trimester, per credit point.
Participation requirements
To complete this course in one year, domestic students are required to complete units in Trimester 3.
Work experience
Not applicable
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline other than Psychology
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each component of test
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
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.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$32,800 for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
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.
Higher Education Loan Program
Take the next step towards your ultimate degree with a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loan to help pay your tuition fees.
You may be eligible for a HELP loan – including FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP – depending on your course, type of fee place, and your citizenship or residency status. Check your eligibility and learn more about Government HELP loans.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship can open the door to new opportunities. Whether you have something unique to offer or simply need a bit of extra support to reach your goals, we’re here to help. Scholarships can assist with course fees, living costs and study materials – so you can focus on achieving your best. Explore the range of opportunities and find the right fit for you.
Postgraduate bursary
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
Need more information on how to apply?
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
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.
Career outcomes
As it is the equivalent of a three-year accredited psychology undergraduate degree, this course a pathway to a fourth-year of study (e.g. Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)), which can then lead to an APAC-accredited master or doctoral-level course that enables general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
Areas of practice endorsement in psychology include:
- clinical psychology (available at Deakin)
- clinical neuropsychology
- organisational psychology (available at Deakin)
- sport and exercise psychology
- forensic psychology
- counselling psychology
- community psychology
Working as a generalist psychologist might involve:
- family therapy
- rehabilitation counselling
- psychological assessment
Not looking to become a registered psychologist? You will still have a broad and exciting range of career opportunities to explore when you graduate from this course. Your deep understanding of psychological assessment methods combined with your client-centred approach to practice will equip you for roles in:
- community welfare and case management
- disability services
- human resources
- mental health rehabilitation
- public health
- youth support
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.
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.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Achieve a deep conceptual understanding of the major ideas, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends in the core topics of psychology. |
| Communication | Communicate effectively in a variety of formats and in a variety of contexts including with diverse ethnic and cultural partners and within teams. |
| Digital literacy | Be able to use digital technologies to source appropriate materials, conduct research and disseminate findings. |
| Critical thinking | 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. |
| Problem solving | Respect and use critical and creative thinking, sceptical inquiry and the scientific approach to solve problems related to behaviour and mental processes. |
| Self-management | 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). |
| Teamwork | 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. |
| 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. |
* Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
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