The Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Graduate Entry) is a specialist undergraduate qualification designed for people who already hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline and wish to gain a nationally accredited psychology major. It provides graduates with the equivalent of a psychology major, covering core areas of psychological theory, research methods, and applied practice — all underpinned by psychology as an empirically based science. The course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), meaning it meets the foundational academic standard required to pursue further registration pathways in Australia. Students explore fields including human development, social and cultural psychology, cognition, learning, biological bases of behaviour, and psychological research, building both theoretical understanding and practical analytical skills. The condensed, graduate-entry structure typically takes 1.5 to 2 years of full-time study, recognising and building upon the academic knowledge students bring from their prior degree.

This degree serves as a critical stepping stone for those who wish to progress toward postgraduate training in clinical, counselling, forensic, organisational, or educational psychology. Upon completion, graduates are eligible to apply for Honours in Psychology or a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced), which then opens pathways to master's-level professional psychology programs and ultimately registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Beyond the pathway to registration, the course is also suitable for professionals in health, education, social work, human resources, policy, and community services who want to deepen their understanding of human behaviour to enhance their existing careers. Employers of graduates include government health departments, community mental health services, private practices, schools, HR departments, research institutions, welfare and social services organisations, and policy agencies across Australia.

The primary entry requirement for the Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Graduate Entry) is the completion of a recognised undergraduate bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) from an approved tertiary institution. Importantly, applicants must not hold an existing Australian APAC-accredited psychology degree — the course is specifically designed for graduates from other disciplines, such as nursing, education, law, business, or the arts. Some providers also accept applicants who completed a psychology major that is not accredited in Australia, or those who completed an accredited psychology major in Australia three or more years prior and wish to update their qualifications. Prior degree performance is considered, and some institutions specify a minimum grade point average (GPA) as part of their assessment of academic readiness.

In addition to holding a prior degree, most institutions require applicants to demonstrate that they have completed introductory-level psychology topics equivalent to first-year university psychology. Applicants who have not completed such topics may be offered a conditional place subject to completing a Qualifying Topic (QT) — typically a short, web-based bridging course available externally and at any time prior to commencement. For international applicants or those from non-English-speaking backgrounds, English language proficiency is required, typically demonstrated through IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 6.0–6.5 (with no band below 6.0), or an equivalent qualification such as TOEFL or PTE Academic. No professional work experience or portfolio is generally required for entry, though relevant prior experience in health, education, or community services may strengthen an application.