Start Date
February

Duration
4 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus

Program Code
MBCH

SATAC Code
444541 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Entry Scores
2025 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 67.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,B
TAFE/RTO: DIP
View Guaranteed Entry Info
2024 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 67.00
TAFE/RTO: Cert IV
View full entry requirements

Degree overview

  • Study the only undergraduate university degree in South Australia specialising in psychology, counselling, interpersonal skills and human resource management.
  • Improve your employment opportunities and broaden your expertise with a double degree.
  • Join Australia's Top 10 university for graduate skills in psychology1.
  • Learn from researchers who are well above world-class, at a university ranked No. 1 in South Australia for research in psychology2.
  • Study a curriculum informed by above world-class research in Human Resource Management3.
  • Ranked No.1 in SA for graduate careers in Business and Management4.
  • Gain a well-respected qualification that is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
  • Have the opportunity to complete placement in your final year.
  • UniSA Business is in the top one per cent worldwide and has been awarded an overall five stars for excellence in the QS Stars Ratings 20235.
  • This degree is accredited by the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) and graduates of this degree will be eligible for professional membership.
  • Discover how you can undertake further study towards becoming a registered psychologist or research psychologist.

1Ranked #7, ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Skills Development Indicator (Undergraduate). Public universities. 2The only university in SA to have all of its assessed Psychology and Cognitive Sciences research rated well-above world standard. 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 32018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 4ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-23 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities. 5UniSA Business is one of just 13 institutions in Australia and approximately 200 globally (from over 25,000 universities) to be EQUIS accredited. EFMD, March 2024. 2023 QS Stars Business School Ratings.

Snapshot

Snapshot

This degree provides a balance of courses in psychology theory, counselling, workplace culture, and staff health and wellbeing. You will graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively support and counsel staff and build staff recruitment, retention, and training and development strategies.

Employers look for graduates who can apply theoretical knowledge and skills to real industry challenges. By studying this degree, you will benefit from curriculum informed by world-class research and accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI).

You could also become a registered psychologist or research psychologist with further study. To follow this career path at UniSA, you must complete the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree. Students can apply to transfer into the full four-year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree if they have achieved a minimum GPA of 6 and have completed between 4 courses and 2.5 years of a UniSA bachelor degree. Find out more.

What you'll learn

What you Learn

This specialised double degree will provide you with a solid understanding of the theory associated with psychology and counselling, as well as the skills needed to effectively manage people. Core courses in business theory will give you a solid grasp of business fundamentals such as economics, accounting, business law and employment relations.

The psychology component of your studies will cover areas such as developmental psychology; cognitive psychology; psychological assessment and research; counselling skills, and work and organisational psychology. You'll also study specialist human resource management topics such as organisational behaviour, performance and compensation management, training and development, industrial relations, and occupational health and safety. 

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

Degree structure

Course name Area and cat no. Units Reference  
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Psychology 1A BEHL 1003 4.5
Counselling Foundations BEHL 1022 4.5
Foundations of Human Resource Management BUSS 2043 4.5
Accounting for Business ACCT 1008 4.5
OR
Quantitative Methods for Business MATH 1053 4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5, 6 or 7),
Psychology 1B BEHL 1004 4.5
Introductory Research Methods BEHL 2005 4.5
Business Law LAWS 1018 4.5
Effective Communication PERF 1001 4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Cognitive Psychology BEHL 3002 4.5
Developmental Psychology BEHL 3011 4.5
Counselling Skills BEHL 2013 4.5
Management and Organisation BUSS 2068 4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5, 6 or 7)
Social and Community Psychology BEHL 2006 4.5
Biological and Learning Psychology BEHL 2012 4.5
Counselling Interventions BEHL 3018 4.5
Business Intelligence INFS 2036 4.5
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Personality Psychology BEHL 3024 4.5
Recruitment and Selection BUSS 3082 4.5
Managing the Employment Relationship BUSS 3037 4.5
Training and Development BUSS 2036 4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5, 6 or 7)
Clinical and Abnormal Psychology BEHL 3004 4.5
Work and Organisational Psychology BEHL 3008 4.5
Performance and Compensation Management BUSS 2048 4.5
Group Work BEHL 2009 4.5
FOURTH YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Entrepreneurship for Social and Market Impact BUSS 2085 4.5
Strategic Management BUSS 3023 4.5
Business Practicum BUSS 3080 4.5
OR
Elective 4.5
Advanced Research Methods BEHL 3005 4.5 Note(s): 1
OR
Health Psychology BEHL 3012 4.5 Note(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5, 6 or 7)
Language, Context and Social Behaviour BEHL 3023 4.5
Strategic Human Resource Management BUSS 3038 4.5
Working with Community WELF 2010 4.5
HR Analytics BUSS 3110 4.5

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week. 

Assessment

Assessment

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

  • case studies 
  • research reports
  • projects
  • presentations 
  • essays
  • quizzes
  • article evaluations
  • journals
  • examinations.

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Global opportunities

Why Bachelor of Psychology (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills), Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management)

Why this Degree

Graduate with two qualifications in only one extra year of study. This is the only undergraduate university degree in South Australia to include core courses in psychology, counselling, interpersonal skills and human resources.

It is also recognised by the world’s largest HR professional society, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), as well as the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

UniSA Business is also the only business school in South Australia accredited by both AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EFMD (EQUIS) – the world’s leading accreditation bodies recognising excellence in business education and research at a global level. These dual accreditations demonstrate the high standards we hold across all areas such as teaching, student learning and research, as well as our commitment to continually improving the quality of our programs.

Real-world connections

You will have the opportunity to undertake industry placements in your final year of study and learn from world-class researchers across both psychology and human resource management.

We also host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

This could be you

Hear from UniSA staff and former Psychology students Dr Alex Agostini and Dr Stephanie Centofanti on where a degree in Psychology can take you.

UniSA Video

Career outcomes

Your career

Our quality teaching and experience beyond the classroom will ensure you graduate career-ready.

Careers to consider include:

  • Human resources manager: plan, implement and enhance an organisation's employee relations, as well as an organisation's policies, programs and practices
  • Recruitment consultant: work on behalf of companies to source candidates for job vacancies
  • Training and development officer: look after an organisation's learning and professional development obligations
  • Counsellor (with further study): work with individuals in a confidential setting, helping them to overcome problems
  • Change management consultant: consult organisations to help identify areas of the business where there is a need for change and assessing how this will affect the organisation.

To become a registered psychologist or research psychologist, you will need to complete further study. Find out more.

Professional accreditation and recognition

This program has met the criteria for course accreditation and is currently accredited by the Australian HR Institute (AHRI). Accreditation is reviewed every three years by the AHRI National Accreditation Committee. Students applying for this course can be assured that the quality of core units map onto the AHRI Model of Excellence for HR Practitioners and Academics, a recognised benchmark of HR best practice and standards.

This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Industry facts

column-chart-growth

Employment for human resource and training professionals in Australia is projected to increase by 11,900 by May 2024.

Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2019

line-graph-growth

Employment for social and welfare professionals in Australia is projected to increase by 39,300 (24.3 per cent) by May 2024.

Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2019

chart-people

By 2024, employment for counsellors in Australia is projected to increase by 24.8 per cent.

Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2019

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

  • go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
  • you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Alternative Pathways

Australian

There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including: 

International

There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

More scholarships

Your study experience and support

Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:

  • academic counselling
  • personal counselling
  • social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
  • common rooms
  • prayer rooms
  • security officers
  • career services and mentoring
  • Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
  • as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.

When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Student services

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Location This degree is delivered at the following campus.

Your program director

You will graduate with a knowledge of theories and concepts, along with critical and analytical research skills through a mix of practical and theoretical learning opportunities. I look forward to working with you to understand how the skills and knowledge you will develop can be applied to your chosen career pathway – either as a psychologist or in a broad range of other career opportunities.

Dr Alex Agostini

Program Director

Enquire
Portrait image for Dr Alex Agostini
Portrait image for Dr Alex Agostini

Dr Alex Agostini

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

  • How do I apply? minus-thick plus-thick

    The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.

    The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.

    There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.

    If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.

    You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.

    If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying

  • Is there a closing date for applications? minus-thick plus-thick

    Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

    Undergraduate

    The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.

    Postgraduate

    Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.

    As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.

  • What credit can I receive for previous studies? minus-thick plus-thick

    You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central. 

  • Can I speak to someone regarding my study options? minus-thick plus-thick

    Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.

More FAQs

What others are saying

"UniSA has great psychology and human resources courses. I enjoy doing practicals and learning how the coursework applies to real-world scenarios. UniSA also offers great services in professional self-development. I have gained practical experience through the UNITE Leadership Program, and volunteering under Community, Connect Club and EASS E-Pal Program*."

*Now known as UniMentors

Diana Wong

UniSA Psychology (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills) and Human Resource Management graduate

Diana Wong

Diana Wong

UniSA Psychology (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills) and Human Resource Management graduate