Study Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

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Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
Magill

Duration
4 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus

Program Code
MHPU

SATAC Code
444221 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Admissions
Student Profile

Entry Scores
2023 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 85.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): NA
TAFE/RTO: AdvDIP
View Guaranteed Entry Info
2022 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 85.60
TAFE/RTO: Dip
View full entry requirements

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.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

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 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 and maintain 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.
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

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Students commencing mid-year may require more than 4 years to complete their program due to the program structure and Honours requirements, with some semesters undertaken at a maximum load of 0.8 FTE.

Degree overview

Join Australia's No. 1 university for work-ready graduates in psychology¹.
Ranked No. 1 in South Australia for psychology research².
Gain advanced research skills, and have the opportunity to have your manuscripts published in scientific journals.
Benefit from our state-of-the-art campus facilities, including a cognitive neuroscience laboratory, a Psychology Clinic and a live-in sleep and chronobiology laboratory.
Discover how you can undertake further study towards becoming a registered psychologist or research psychologist.
Gain a well-respected qualification that is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

¹ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2019-20 – Skills Development Indicator (Undergraduate). Public universities.²The only university in SA to have all its assessed Psychology and Cognitive Sciences research rated well-above world standard. 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

Snapshot

This degree will provide you with an understanding of psychological theory; psychology research methods; critical and analytical thinking; and counselling and interpersonal skills.

As an honours student you will focus on research methodologies and you will graduate with the ability to design, conduct and evaluate research. UniSA has been ranked number one in South Australia for psychology research¹, and as part of your studies you will graduate with specialised knowledge and skills in this area.

Our world-class learning facilities will enable you to learn in simulated real-world environments, equipping you with hands-on, practical skills upon graduating.

With further study you can gain the experience needed to work in a clinical setting and become a registered psychologist or research psychologist. To follow this career path, you must complete additional postgraduate studies in psychology. Find out more.

¹The only university in SA to have all its assessed Psychology and Cognitive Sciences research rated well-above world standard. 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

What you'll learn

Core psychology courses, along with an Indigenous studies and professional development course, will make up your first three years of study. During your third year you will also select from a number of psychology-specific professional development courses, complementing the degree’s core content. These courses include:

Health Psychology
Work and Organisational Psychology
Language, Context and Social Behaviour
Conservation Psychology
Psychophysiology of Sleep
Psychological Research Experience

During your final year you will undertake advanced coursework and a supervised research project. You will also choose from a selection of electives, giving you the opportunity to study courses from another discipline or area of interest.

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
Personal and Professional Development	BEHL 1033	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Psychology 1B	BEHL 1004	4.5
Aboriginal Australians and Psychology	BEHL 1032	4.5
Introductory Research Methods	BEHL 2005	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Developmental Psychology	BEHL 3011	4.5
Cognitive Psychology	BEHL 3002	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Biological and Learning Psychology	BEHL 2012	4.5
Social and Community Psychology	BEHL 2006	4.5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Advanced Research Methods	BEHL 3005	4.5
Personality Psychology	BEHL 3024	4.5
Specialist Psychology Course		4.5	Note(s): 2
Specialist Psychology Course		4.5	Note(s): 2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)		4.5
Clinical and Abnormal Psychology	BEHL 3004	4.5
Specialist Psychology Course		4.5	Note(s): 2
Specialist Psychology Course		4.5	Note(s): 2
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1
FOURTH YEAR (HONOURS YEAR)				Rule(s): 1
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Psychology Honours Research Project 1	BEHL 4056	9
Psychology Research Methods	BEHL 4052	4.5
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

Majors, Sub-majors & Minors

Art/Design Studies

Counselling and Interpersonal Skills

Ecosystem Sciences

French Studies

Human Resource Management

Human Service Studies

Italian Studies

Japanese Studies

Marketing

Applied Linguistics

Sociology

Performing Arts

Legal Studies

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
Cognitive Neuroscience	BEHL 3021	4.5
Language, Context and Social Behaviour	BEHL 3023	4.5
Conservation Psychology	BEHL 3022	4.5
Psychology Placement	BEHL 3027	9
Psychology Research Experience	BEHL 3028	4.5
Psychophysiology of Sleep	BEHL 3029	4.5
Exploring the History and Foundations of Psychology	BEHL 3037	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.

Notes

1. Electives may be selected from courses offered as undergraduate electives, subject to any prerequisite requirements. A list of recommended courses can be found here: https://study.unisa.edu.au/electives

2. Specialist Psychology Courses (SPC) must be selected from the Electives list and are offered subject to student demand and staff availability. See the program specific electives list for options. Students who choose the course BEHL 3028 Psychology Research Experience must consult with the Course Coordinator at least 6 months prior to the course commencing and 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. Students who choose the course BEHL 3027 Psychology Placement can use this 9 unit course towards both an elective and an SPC, though they should note the course grade does not contribute to GPA calculations for the purpose of progressing to the fourth (Honours year).

3. Electives may be used to create a Major, Sub-major or Minor in another discipline. A Major consists of a sequence of 8 specified courses (36 units) from a single discipline. A Sub-major consists of a sequence of 6 specified courses (27 units) from a single discipline. Recommended Majors/Sub-majors are listed below. Students wishing to be eligible to apply for the MMET Master of Teaching should seek advice from the MMET Program Director before selecting a Major/Sub-major.

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

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. There may be essays, assignments and examinations. You could also expect:

article reviews
critical analysis
research reports
article evaluations
online multiple choice questions

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.

Honours

This is a four-year, professional degree with honours. The honours component includes a minimum of one year of advanced studies in research and professional practice. You will receive First Class, Second Class or Third Class Honours, depending on your performance.

During the honours preparation, you will undertake courses in research methods and ethics. Within the honours thesis course, you will undertake a research project under the supervision of an experienced researcher and report on this project through a thesis and oral presentation. You will graduate with practical, hands-on industry experience and connections, and a higher-level qualification than a bachelor degree. Your honours year will prepare you for future leadership roles.

Why Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

This honours degree is taught by researchers who are world-class in their field, at a university ranked number one in South Australia for research in Psychology¹.

As part of your studies you will complete in-depth research and project work, which will equip you with the specialised skills you will need for a career in this area.

As an honours student you will focus on research methodologies and gain the ability to design, conduct and evaluate research. Our world-class learning facilities enable you to learn in simulated real-world environments, equipping you with hands-on, practical skills upon graduating.

¹The only university in SA to have all its assessed Psychology and Cognitive Sciences research rated well-above world standard. 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

This could be you

Hear from Francesco as he shares his experiences studying at UniSA and his journey as a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) student.

Career outcomes

Your career

The ability to listen and analyse, coupled with critical thinking skills and an interest in human behaviour and biology are key attributes of students considering a career in psychology.

As a graduate you will be qualified to work in a range of areas including the health and human services sectors, research organisations, government, and non-government organisations.

Careers to consider include:

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
drug and alcohol case worker: provide counselling support to individuals and families affected by drug/alcohol
registered psychologist or research psychologist (with further study*): work with patients to identify and diagnose emotional, mental and behavioural issues
neuropsychologist (with further study): assess and evaluate the brain function of people with brain injuries or abnormal brain functioning
research assistant: assist with academic research; research assistants are often employed by universities or research institutes
work and organisational psychologist: use psychological principles and research methods to solve problems in the workplace

*To follow this career path at UniSA, you will need to complete further study. Find out more.

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.

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:

UniSA College Foundation Studies

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.

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you're eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a Pathway

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

UniSA Excellence Scholarships

$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.

Learn more

UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship

Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.

Learn more

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

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.

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.

Your study spaces

As a psychology student, you will have access to:

Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory
Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory
Psychology Clinic
Dedicated teaching and learning spaces

Ask UniSA

How do I apply?

There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.

For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.

Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Is there a closing date for applications?

Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in 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 (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.

Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

Credit transfer or advanced standing

You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

Recognised prior learning

If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.

How do I get credit?

Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.

Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.

Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.

If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.

Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.

We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!

There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.

You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
Where can I get further information?

It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.

Find a course or a provider

TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.

More information on university admission

Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.

Questions about your application

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.

More FAQs

What others are saying

"My education at UniSA went beyond reading a textbook – it gave me the ability to practise what I learned. I am now a supervisor at Lifeline where I can make a difference in the community. I plan to study a master's qualification to further my career as a clinical psychologist."

Francesco Forgione

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Counsellor, New ROADS: Uniting Communities

Francesco Forgione

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Counsellor, New ROADS: Uniting Communities

"From day one, there was a heavy emphasis on developing high quality report writing skills, which are essential to success in this field. I know that this, along with the quality of academics and the degree's focus on evidence based practice, will give me the critical analysis skills I need to work in the clinical psychology field."

Nicholas Ghan

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

Nicholas Ghan

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

"Psychology at UniSA has an excellent balance between research and hands-on practice - the standard of teaching combined with the state-of-the-art facilities prepares students for what they want to do after graduation. The inclusion of counselling courses and psychology placements also makes it a unique degree, providing both the skills and real-world experience needed for a variety of careers including disability support work and counselling."

Chris Ghan

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Psychologist, SA Health