Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Honours)

Victoria University

About

Gain a deeper awareness of our motivations, responses and relationships through this popular course offered by VU.

We’ll help you to further your understanding of psychological studies at an advanced level.

By carrying out a research thesis, you’ll graduate with a sought-after honours qualification and be ready to explore postgraduate study or careers from social work to community services.

This course will focus your learning within informed, conceptual thinking and research skills.

Specifically, you’ll learn to:

use advanced cognitive, research, and problem-solving skills to help you pursue postgraduate research or a professional career in psychology employ skills in independent research and theoretical analysis in psychology critically apply advanced knowledge in selected areas of psychology and applied psychology;

assess and evaluate the nature of psychology as a profession, the ethical and legal responsibilities of the psychologist and the role of the Australian Psychological Society.

If you choose to continue on to postgraduate studies, you’ll be able to take up professional training at VU’s Psychology Clinic, providing discounted psychological services to the community.

Structure

To attain the Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Honours), students will be required to complete 96 credit points, consisting of:

  • 48 credit points (equivalent to 4 units) of Core studies; and
  • 2 x 24 credit points (equivalent to 2 units) of Core Thesis studies.

Course structure and units

Year 1, Semester 1

  • Research Thesis Unit code APH4012 Credits24
  • Psychology in Practice Unit code APH4013 Credits12
  • Social Research Methods in Context Unit code APH4018 Credits12

Year 1, Semester 2

  • Psychological Interventions Unit code APH4001 Credits12
  • Extended Research Thesis Unit code APH4015 Credits24
  • Professional Orientation (Psychological Assessment) Unit code APH4071 Credits12

Entry requirements

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Find out if you meet the admission criteria for a bachelor degree at VU.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Find out if you meet the admission criteria for a bachelor degree at VU.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

The minimum requirements for entry to Honours in Psychology are the completion of all requirements for a Bachelor degree (AQF7) conferred by Victoria University; the completion of an APAC-accredited major in psychology; and a minimum third-year Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70%. Note that all applications are ranked according to academic merit, therefore the cut-off WAM for receiving an offer differs from year to year and may be substantially higher than the minimum requirement of 70%.Students who have completed their APAC accredited major in psychology at another university or similar institution are also eligible to apply for this course.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Find out if you meet the admission criteria for a bachelor degree at VU.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

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  1. Utilise advanced cognitive, research, and problem-solving skills to successfully undertake postgraduate research or a professional career in psychology;  
  2. Satisfy the educational requirements for associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society;  
  3. Implement skills in independent research, theoretical analysis and critical evaluation in psychology;  
  4. Critically apply advanced knowledge in selected areas of psychology and applied psychology;  
  5. Assess and evaluate the nature of psychology as a profession, the ethical and legal responsibilities of the psychologist and the role of the Australian Psychological Society.  

Institution