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Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
Magill

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus

Program Code
MBAA

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Fees
AUD$ 32,800 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2025

English Language Requirements

IELTS total [6.0]
IELTS reading [6.0]
IELTS writing [6.0]

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
097506E

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 Certificate IV 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

Prerequisites

None

Assumed Knowledge

None

English language entry requirements

In addition to meeting academic entry requirements, international students who speak English as a second or additional language must also meet the University's English language entry requirements. The minimum language requirements for this program are:

English language test

IELTS total [6.0]
IELTS reading [6.0]
IELTS writing [6.0]

Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by UniSA and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements: English Language Equivalence Table (PDF)

Admission Requirements by Country

Vietnam	7
Australia	65
IB (best 6)	26
USA SAT (1600)	1050
India (best 4) State Board	70
India (best 4) Central Board	60
HKDSE	15
Nepal NEB	2.41
Bangladesh HSC	3.5
Canada High School (OSSD)	60
Eynesbury FSP	310
German Abitur	3.8
Kenya KCSE (average)	B
Malaysia STPM (best 3)	6
Malaysia UEC	32
Norway GPA	2.8
Pakistan HSSC	75
Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3)	6
Sweden GPA	12.5
UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board	6

View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) major will allow students to develop and 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. Within the context of a Bachelor of Arts, a psychology major will enhance the second major selected within the program providing a broader understanding of concepts across the program. Graduates will develop research and project management skills enabling them to pursue further learning in honours and higher degree research or postgraduate studies in teaching.

Content & Structure

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts (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.

Graduates in the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) will demonstrate analytical skills, cognitive skills to critically review, the ability to consolidate and synthesise knowledge; and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of discipline knowledge and to complement their second Arts major and minor.

Graduates will have a second Arts major to expand their technical, analytical and communicative skills essential for practice in the professional environments and further learning in a culturally diverse global marketplace.

Students will complete 108 units of study comprising 9 units of core courses, 36 units of an Arts specialisation, 36 units of a second Arts major, 18 units of a minor, and 9 units of electives.

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What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Truth, Lies and Being Human	HUMS 1060	4.5	Note(s): 1
Psychology 1A	BEHL 1003	4.5
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Minor		4.5	Note(s): 3,4,6
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Introductory Research Methods	BEHL 2005	4.5
Psychology 1B	BEHL 1004	4.5
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Minor		4.5	Note(s): 3,4,6
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Cognitive Psychology	BEHL 3002	4.5
OR
Developmental Psychology	BEHL 3011	4.5
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Minor		4.5	Note(s): 3,4,6
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2
OR
Professional Directions Program 1	COMM 2098	4.5	Note(s): 2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)		4.5
Intercultural Communication	LANG 1054	4.5	Note(s): 1
Biological and Learning Psychology	BEHL 2012	4.5
OR
Social and Community Psychology	BEHL 2006	4.5
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Minor		4.5	Note(s): 3,4,6
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Personality Psychology	BEHL 3024	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2
OR
Professional Directions Program 2	COMM 2099	4.5	Note(s): 2
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Clinical and Abnormal Psychology	BEHL 3004	4.5
Specialist Psychology Course - Select from the list below		4.5
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Specialist Psychology Course Options (select 1)
Advanced Research Methods	BEHL 3005	4.5	Note(s): 5
Health Psychology	BEHL 3012	4.5	Note(s): 5
Psychophysiology of Sleep	BEHL 3029	4.5	Note(s): 5
Conservation Psychology	BEHL 3022	4.5	Note(s): 5
Psychological Assessment	BEHL 4003	4.5	Note(s): 5
Work and Organisational Psychology	BEHL 3008	4.5	Note(s): 5
Language, Context and Social Behaviour	BEHL 3023	4.5	Note(s): 5

Majors, Sub-majors & Minors

French Studies

Italian Studies

Japanese Studies

Psychology

Creative Writing and Literature

Applied Linguistics

Sociology

History and Global Politics

Cultural Studies

Law, Policy and Politics

Aboriginal Studies

Criminology and Criminal Justice
Rules & notes

Rules

1. Students are required to complete their second major from: Aboriginal Studies, Applied Linguistics, Cultural Studies, Creative Writing and Literature, Criminology and Criminal Justice, History and Global Politics, Languages (French/Italian/Japanese), Sociology, or Law, Policy and Politics. Students who wish to complete the Criminology and Criminal Justice major, or a major or minor learning area from the list of available university major and minor options should contact the Program Director for approval and enrolment advice. International student visa holders cannot select Criminology and Criminal Justice as a specialisation or major.

2. Students intending to undertake a Master of Teaching (Secondary) should consult with their program director for a schedule of recommended courses.

Notes

1. This course is one of two core courses that provide a foundation for the program.

2. Students complete either Electives or Professional Directions Program courses 1 and 2. Students may be directed to complete English Language courses in place of their electives.

3. A minor consists of four courses (18 units), two of which are generally at Level 1 (Introductory) and two at Level 2 (Intermediate).

4. The Hawke Ambassador International Volunteer Experience course can be chosen in place of the minor sequence and is equivalent to 18 units. Students who choose this option will swap their first year (Level 1 Introductory) minor sequence to Elective 1 and Elective 2. Students can then choose to study the Hawke course in their second year (Level 2 Intermediate). Students will be required to complete the two available Level 2 Intermediate course options at second year in the opposite study period to undertaking the Hawke course.

5. Students must select one Specialist Psychology Course from the list as part of their Arts (Psychology) Major.

6. Students are advised to select their minor from within the majors offered by the MBAA Bachelor of Arts.

7. The Justice & Society Study Tour course can be chosen in place of an elective course as part of this program. Additional fees apply for the study tour component of this course, and enrolment is conditional upon successful application in a competitive Expression of Interest process as well as successful completion of 36 units.