Bachelor of Psychological Science

Deakin University

About

Curious about what makes people think, feel and behave the way they do?

In Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychological Science you’ll cover many aspects of human behaviour and personality, which will prepare you for a range of careers in the fast-growing health sector, and give you the option of pursuing further study towards provisional registration as a psychologist.

To help you prepare for what’s next, you will have the option of undertaking 140 hours of real-world experience with an industry placement that strengthens your employment prospects.This course is offered at every campus and online, so you can study where and when it suits you.

Plus, our flexible trimester system means you can fast-track the course over two years of full-time study.

Deakin is the only university in Victoria where you can study specialist psychology majors during your undergraduate degree, so you can pursue your interests with a major in Child and Family, Organisational Studies or Forensic Studies.Do you want to learn from psychology professionals and be exposed to real-world workplace experience?

Structure

To complete the Bachelor of Psychological Science students must attain 24 credit points. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. In order to gain 24 credit points you will need to study 24 units (AKA 'subjects'). Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters each year.

The course comprises a total of 24 credit points which must include the following:

  • At least 13 must be Psychology units
  • At level 1, four Psychology units, HPS111, HPS121, HPS104 and HPS105, and one foundation health unit, HBS110, are compulsory.
  • At level 2, HPS201, HPS202, HPS203 and HPS204 are compulsory.
  • At level 3, HPS301, HPS307, HPS308 and HPS310 are compulsory
  • An additional three health electives across levels 2 and 3 must also be completed. These can be in the form of a level 2 or 3 psychology elective (HPS2XX or HPS3XX), plus either two more level 3 psychology electives (HPS3XX and HPS3XX) OR one level 3 psychology elective and one general level 3 health elective (HPS3XX and HXX3XX).
  • No more than 10 credit points may be taken at level 1
  • Students must complete a minimum of 7 credit points at each level.
  • A maximum of 8 credit points (electives) may be taken outside the Faculty of Health

Students may choose to accelerate their progress through the course by selecting from the following units that are normally offered in Trimester 3: HBS110, HPS104, HPS105, HPS111, HPS121, HPS201, HPS202, HPS203, HPS204, HPS206 (psychology elective unit), HPS301, HPS307, HPS308 and HPS310.

Following completion of the Bachelor of Psychological Science students intending to become psychologists must successfully apply for and complete a level-4 Honours year or the level-4 Graduate Diploma of Psychology.

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).

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. Click here for more information.

Entry requirements

If you are currently studying Year 12 in 2020 or completed Year 12 in 2018 or 2019 and have not attempted higher education or VET study since, your selection is based on the following.

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.

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.

outcome type outcome description
Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities Integrate theoretical knowledge of the discipline of psychology in relation to: health, social, cognitive, methodology, neuroscience, development, and personality.
Communication Communicate psychological knowledge and arguments effectively using the most appropriate means utilising clear, discipline appropriate, coherent and well-developed communication skills.
Digital Literacy Utilise online technologies to interact with others, access research and evaluate empirical evidence; and create and disseminate psychology-relevant content.
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.
Problem Solving Apply knowledge of the scientific method when addressing problems related to behaviour and mental processes; design, plan, and conduct research that addresses these problems; and apply analytic and statistical skills to interpret the results and validity of research.
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 quality and timely outcomes.
Teamwork Collaborate and communicate psychological principles and practices effectively in interdisciplinary 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; applying ethical and professional responsibilities to local and global communities and future clients and employers; within diverse cultural, social, and regulatory frameworks.

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