Bachelor of Psychology

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
January
March
June
September

Campus
Online

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
Online

Program Code
XBPY

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry Requirements
TAFE/RTO (Guaranteed): CIV
View full entry requirements

Prerequisites
Refer to Entry Requirements
More info

Assumed Knowledge
Refer to program schedule and notes
More info

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.
N/A
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result:

Higher education study
- Successfully completed equivalent to a minimum of half a year of full-time study of a higher education program at a recognised higher education provider
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above
OR
Work and life experience (domestic students only)
- Passed a UniSA Online literacy and numeracy test and have relevant work experience, or
- Completed a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Qualify for Special Entry
OR
Recent secondary education
- Completed a secondary education qualification equivalent to SACE, such as an interstate year 12 or international Qualification
Essential requirements for admission
N/A
Prerequisites

Refer to Entry Requirements

Assumed Knowledge

Refer to program schedule and notes
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The Bachelor of Psychology degree qualifies individuals who apply a broad and coherent knowledge of psychological science in diverse areas including psychology, mental health, social services and human resources and as a pathway for further learning. Opportunities for further learning for Bachelor of Psychology degree graduates include Honours Psychology and post-graduate studies in Counselling, Mediation, Social Work and Mental Health.

Content & Structure

Graduates of the Bachelor of Psychology degree will have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning in psychology and behavioural research methodologies. Advanced and innovative topics include conservation psychology, health psychology, occupational health and research methods.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Psychology degree will have: cognitive skills to critically review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge; cognitive and technical skills (including laboratory work and interpersonal skills training, as well as an optional practical workplace experience for students who undertake the specialist psychology course Work & Organisational Psychology) to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas; cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving real world and scientific problems with intellectual independence; communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of psychological knowledge and ideas.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Psychology degree will demonstrate the application of psychological knowledge and skills with initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional psychology and/or scholarship. They will be able to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts in areas such as professional psychology, mental health, research and project work, social services and human resources; with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters.

This program comprises 108 units including: 54 units of psychology courses (comprising 9 core and 3 specialist psychology courses), 1 introduction to online studies course or elective, 1 Aboriginal studies course, 3 professional development courses, and 1 either/or course choice. Additionally, there are 27 units of electives which provide students with the opportunity to take sequences of related courses from another discipline (see program note 1).

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, Adelaide University, opening in January 2026.

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

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
Year 1
Term 1 (Study Period 1)
UO Critical Approaches to Online Learning	CURR 3021	4.5	Note(s): 3
OR
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
UO Psychology 1A	BEHL 1030	4.5
Term 2 (Study Period 3)
UO Psychology 1B	BEHL 1031	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
Term 3 (Study Period 4)
UO Personal and Professional Development	BEHL 1029	4.5
UO Connecting and Working with Nature	BEHL 1028	4.5
OR
UO The Social World	SOCU 1008	4.5
Term 4 (Study Period 6)
UO Introductory Research Methods	BEHL 2019	4.5
UO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology	BEHL 1034	4.5
Year 2
Term 1 (Study Period 1)
UO Cognitive Psychology	BEHL 2018	4.5
UO Psychology Applications	BEHL 2026	4.5
Term 2 (Study Period 3)
UO Biological and Learning Psychology	BEHL 2017	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
Term 3 (Study Period 4)
UO Developmental Psychology	BEHL 2016	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
Term 4 (Study Period 6)
UO Social and Community Psychology	BEHL 2020	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
Year 3
Term 1 (Study Period 1)
Elective: Specialist Psychology Course		4.5		Rule(s): 1,2
Elective: Specialist Psychology Course		4.5		Rule(s): 1,2
Term 2 (Study Period 3)
UO Personality Psychology	BEHL 3036	4.5
UO Career Development	BEHL 2025	4.5
Term 3 (Study Period 4)
UO Clinical and Abnormal Psychology	BEHL 3032	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
Term 4 (Study Period 6)
Elective: Specialist Psychology Course		4.5		Rule(s): 1,2
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Specialist Psychology Courses
UO Health Psychology	BEHL 3031	4.5
UO Advanced Research Methods	BEHL 3034	4.5
UO Conservation Psychology	BEHL 3035	4.5
UO Work and Organisational Psychology	BEHL 3033	4.5
Human Service Studies
UO Working with Community	WELF 2023	4.5
UO Social Research Methods	HUMS 2043	4.5
UO Politics and Citizenship in Australia	POLI 1019	4.5
UO Australian Social Policy	POLI 2029	4.5
UO Disability and Ageing: Diversity and Discrimination	WELF 3025	4.5
UO Case Management for Consumer Directed Care in Disability and Aged Care	WELF 3024	4.5
Ageing & Disability
UO Case Management for Consumer Directed Care in Disability and Aged Care	WELF 3024	4.5
UO (Dis)abling Societies: The Sociologies of Ageing and Disability	SOCU 2018	4.5
UO Disability and Ageing: Diversity and Discrimination	WELF 3025	4.5
UO Ageing and Disability Friendly Environments	WELF 2021	4.5
UO Supporting Dignity through Enablement	HLTH 3061	4.5
UO The Social World	SOCU 1008	4.5
Criminal Justice
UO The Social World	SOCU 1008	4.5
UO Aboriginal Australians, Policing and the Criminal Justice System	SOCU 2019	4.5
UO Working with Community	WELF 2023	4.5
UO Victimology	JUST 3008	4.5
UO Understanding Crime and Criminology	BEHL 1035	4.5
UO Justice in Practice	JUST 3011	4.5
Human Resource Management
UO Management and Organisation	BUSS 2081	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Resource Management	BUSS 2077	4.5
UO Training and Development	BUSS 2076	4.5
UO Managing the Employment Relationship	BUSS 3090	4.5
UO Performance and Compensation Management	BUSS 2075	4.5
UO Recruitment and Selection	BUSS 3091	4.5
Health
UO Foundations of Nutrition and Health	BIOL 1054	4.5
UO Professional Communication to Work in the Health Industry	HLTH 2031	4.5
UO Health and Society	HLTH 1054	4.5
UO Foundations of Health and Physical Activity	HLTH 1053	4.5
UO Project Management for Health and Wellness	HLTH 3065	4.5
UO Health Promotion	HLTH 2034	4.5
Community Health
UO First Peoples' Health	HLTH 1051	4.5
UO Lifespan Growth and Motor Development	HLTH 1055	4.5
UO Health Law, Ethics and Policy	HLTH 2030	4.5
UO Public Health	HLTH 3060	4.5
UO Supporting Dignity through Enablement	HLTH 3061	4.5
UO Exploring Global and National Health	HLTH 1050	4.5
Health Promotion
UO Health Promotion	HLTH 2034	4.5
UO Introduction to Public Health Practice and Research	HLTH 1057	4.5
UO Science and Politics of Preventive Health	HLTH 2044	4.5
UO Health Systems and Services	HLTH 1056	4.5
UO Evaluation of Public Health Practices	EDUC 2080	4.5
UO Building Healthy Public Policy	HLTH 2043	4.5
Nutrition
UO Lifespan Nutrition	BIOL 2060	4.5
UO Nutrition and Exercise Biochemistry	HLTH 2036	4.5
UO Food as Medicine	FOSC 3017	4.5
UO Foundations of Nutrition and Health	BIOL 1054	4.5
UO Human Nutrition	HLTH 2035	4.5
UO Nutrition for Exercise and Performance	HLTH 3064	4.5
Physical Activity & Human Movement
UO Foundations of Human Biology 1	BIOL 1052	4.5
UO Foundations of Health and Physical Activity	HLTH 1053	4.5
UO Psychology of Exercise, Sport and Health	HLTH 3066	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 2	BIOL 1053	4.5
UO Body in Motion 1	HLTH 2032	4.5
UO Body in Motion 2	HLTH 2033	4.5
Social Media
UO Introduction to Social Media	COMM 1073	4.5
UO Media Law and Ethics	COMM 2091	4.5
UO Social Media Engagement	COMM 3084	4.5
UO Public Relations: Theory and Practice	COMM 1076	4.5
UO Introduction to Digital Media	INFT 1028	4.5
UO Content Creation for Media	COMM 2092	4.5
Digital Media
UO Introduction to Digital Media	INFT 1028	4.5
UO Writing for Digital Media	COMM 2088	4.5
UO Design for Digital Technologies	COMM 2087	4.5
UO Introduction to Social Media	COMM 1073	4.5
UO Web Design	GRAP 3015	4.5
UO Digital Graphics and Imaging	GRAP 1027	4.5
Marketing & Communication
UO Digital Marketing	MARK 3023	4.5
UO Marketing Principles: Trading and Exchange	MARK 1018	4.5
UO Marketing Analytics	MARK 2034	4.5
UO Promotional Communication: Advertising, Publicity and Marketing	COMM 3078	4.5
UO Integrated Communication Planning	COMM 3077	4.5
UO Public Relations: Theory and Practice	COMM 1076	4.5
Journalism & Professional Writing
UO Professional and Technical Communication	COMM 1075	4.5
UO Language and the Media	LANG 2043	4.5
UO Broadcast Journalism	COMM 2089	4.5
UO News Reporting	COMM 1074	4.5
UO Feature Writing	COMM 3073	4.5