Key facts
Duration
1 year full time taken over three consecutive trimesters.
Locations
Course overview
The Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science (H603) offers students who have already successfully completed an undergraduate degree in any other discipline from a recognised university but who wish to change career path the opportunity to complete a major sequence in psychology without having to undertake a full-three-year degree.
This one-year Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science (H603) is a 10-credit point course that is compliant with AQF level 8 standards of knowledge and skills will be subject to Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accreditation assessment in 2019 and, if approved, will enable you to undertake additional study in pursuit of professional registration as a psychologist.
All 10 units are compulsory and there are no elective units. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science (H603) students can undertake the further study required to fully register as a psychologist, or enter a variety of professional areas that are demanding the skills of an undergraduate course in psychology.
All ten units of the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science are compulsory units. International students are required to complete all ten units over three consecutive trimesters in a 12 month period, therefore Trimester 3 is a compulsory trimester.
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
2027 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 your 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.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
* Note for International Students, Trimester 3 is a compulsory trimester.
Trimester 2
Trimester 3
Trimester 1
* Note for International Students, Trimester 3 is a compulsory trimester.
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)
International applicants who do not require a visa can apply to do this course in the fully online offering for Trimester 1.
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
Students are required to complete units in Trimester 3 if they wish to complete this course in one year.
Work experience
Not applicable
Inclusive learning support
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.
Entry requirements
Your academic history, work and life experience, and individual circumstances will be considered. Meeting the minimum academic and English language requirements does not guarantee admission, but alternative pathways may be available.
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
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.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$45,400 for 1 yr full-time AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical full-time enrolment of 8 credit points undertaken within the same academic year 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.
Scholarship options
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Deakin alumni discount
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 direct to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.
Please note: Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science course is accredited without conditions by the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC).
Pathways
This course can be a pathway to an APAC accredited fourth year Honours or Graduate Diploma of Psychology course and other postgraduate coursework programs.
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.
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. |
*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.
