Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (Cognitive Neuroscience)

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
February

Campus
Magill

Duration
4 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus

Program Code
MHPU

SATAC Code
444551 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry Requirements
Selection Rank (Internal): 83.00 (for 2024)
Selection Rank (Guaranteed): 83.00 (for 2025)
TAFE/RTO (Guaranteed): AdvDIP
View full entry requirements

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

OR
Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma or above
OR
Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Special Requirements: For entry to the fourth-year Honours stream, students must achieve a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 5.5 for all the professionally accredited Level 2 and Level 3 psychology courses plus BEHL 2005 Introductory Research Methods as well as an overall program GPA of 5.0. Students who do not meet this requirement, on satisfactory completion of the third year, will exit the program early with the award of the degree of Bachelor of Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience).
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (Cognitive Neuroscience) qualifies individuals who have an advanced

and integrated knowledge of psychology and the biological basis of behaviour. Graduates will be able to apply this body of knowledge, including a depth of specialised practical and research skills in cognitive neuroscience (the basic biology of behaviour) and psychology, in a range of contexts to undertake professional work or research and as a pathway for entry into further training for professional practice in Psychology, including Master of Clinical Neuropsychology and PhD in Psychology or Neuroscience.

Content & Structure

Graduates of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (Cognitive Neuroscience) degree will have coherent and advanced knowledge in psychology, cognitive neuroscience and behavioural as well as neuroscientific research methodologies, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more specialisations as a basis for independent lifelong learning in professional psychology practice and research.

Students will complete 144 units of study. In the first 3 years of the program, these comprise 12 psychology courses, 3 biology courses focusing on anatomy and physiology, 6 cognitive neuroscience courses including a research experience, an Aboriginal studies course and a professional development course as well as 1 elective. In the fourth year of the program, students complete advanced coursework including a research project worth 18 units.

From 4 August 2025, the University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students. Study at Adelaide University.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2, or 3)
Psychology 1A	BEHL 1003	4.5
Human Anatomy 100	HLTH 1020	4.5
Biology A	BIOL 1007	4.5
Personal and Professional Development	BEHL 1033	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5, or 6)
Psychology 1B	BEHL 1004	4.5
Introductory Research Methods	BEHL 2005	4.5
Foundations in Cognitive Neuroscience	BEHL 1024	4.5
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology	BEHL 1032	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2, or 3)
Developmental Psychology	BEHL 3011	4.5
Cognitive Psychology	BEHL 3002	4.5
Human Anatomy 200	HLTH 2022	4.5
Cognitive Neuroscience	BEHL 3021	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5, or 6)
Data Science for Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology	BEHL 2023	4.5
Social and Community Psychology	BEHL 2006	4.5
Biological and Learning Psychology	BEHL 2012	4.5
States of Awareness	BEHL 2015	4.5
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2, or 3)
Advanced Research Methods	BEHL 3005	4.5
The Neuroscience of Language	BEHL 3030	4.5
Personality Psychology	BEHL 3024	4.5
Specialist Psychology Course		4.5	Note(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5, or 6)
Clinical and Abnormal Psychology	BEHL 3004	4.5
Exploring the History and Foundations of Psychology	BEHL 3037	4.5
Neuroscience Across the Lifespan	BEHL 3025	4.5
Psychology Research Experience	BEHL 3028	4.5	Note(s): 2
FOURTH YEAR				Rule(s): 1
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Psychology Research Methods	BEHL 4052	4.5
Psychology Honours Research Project 1	BEHL 4056	9
Psychological Assessment	BEHL 4003	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Psychology Honours Research Project 2	BEHL 4057	9
Communicating Research	BEHL 4063	4.5
Introduction to Psychological Practice	BEHL 4060	4.5

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
SPECIALIST PSYCHOLOGY COURSES
Health Psychology	BEHL 3012	4.5
Work and Organisational Psychology	BEHL 3008	4.5
Health, Exercise and Sport Psychology	HLTH 3014	4.5
Language, Context and Social Behaviour	BEHL 3023	4.5
Conservation Psychology	BEHL 3022	4.5
Psychophysiology of Sleep	BEHL 3029	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. To progress to the fourth year (Honours), students must complete all requirements for years 1 to 3 of the program and meet minimum grade point average (GPA) requirements. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.5 for all APAC accredited Level 2 and Level 3 psychology courses plus BEHL 2005 Introductory Research Methods as well as an overall program GPA of 5.0. Students who do not meet the requirements to enter the Honours year will, on satisfactory completion of the third year, graduate with the Bachelor of Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience).

2. Maximum credit limits apply to this program. No more than two years (2 EFTSL) of credit will be granted for studies undertaken at an institution other than UniSA.

Notes

1. Specialist Psychology Courses must be selected from the Electives list and are offered subject to student demand and staff availability.

2. Students may be required to obtain a police criminal history check or complete other workplace specific induction, training or clearance procedures prior to the commencement of the course.

Professional accreditation and recognition

This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. On completion of the program, graduates will have met the academic requirements for associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society and the prerequisites to apply for postgraduate study in Psychology.