APAC-accredited psychology pathway
Fast-track your psychology studies
Flexible online and on-campus study
Why choose psychological science at Deakin
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.
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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
FAQs
The cost of studying at Deakin depends on your degree, units and study load – tuition fees are listed on degree pages under the fees and scholarships tab. Beyond tuition, you will need to budget for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), accommodation, transport, groceries and textbooks. Find out more about the cost of living in Australia, use the Study Australia calculator to estimate living expenses and explore international scholarships which may help to reduce your tuition costs.
Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your postgraduate tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.
It depends on the degree and how you study. Graduate certificates typically take six months full time or one year part time. Graduate diplomas usually take one year full time and masters degrees typically take one to two years full time. Recognition of prior learning can reduce your study time. Check the degree page for full details.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.
We value your experience and qualifications. That is why every new degree application at Deakin is assessed for recognition of prior learning (RPL). Through RPL, Deakin can assess your previous study and life experience and may award course credit that could reduce your study duration, as well as the cost of your study. Qualifications from universities and private tertiary institutions worldwide are considered, as is informal learning related to your degree. Use the RPL calculator to see how much credit you may be eligible for.
Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.
To enrol in a postgraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores, so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.
Deakin’s postgraduate degrees are designed to advance your career, whether you want to deepen expertise in your field, move into a specialist role or shift direction entirely. All our degrees are shaped by industry partners, so what you learn reflects what employers need now and into the future. We’re proud to be the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. With flexible study options and financial support available, Deakin helps you gain the skills, recognition and confidence to reach your next professional goal.
*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.
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.
Students are required to complete units in Trimester 3 if they wish to complete this course in one year.
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.
International applicants who do not require a visa can apply to do this course in the fully online offering for Trimester 1.
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
- 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
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).
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
This course can be a pathway to an APAC accredited fourth year Honours or Graduate Diploma of Psychology course and other postgraduate coursework programs.