Course Overview

About This Course

In today's fast-paced and challenging world, understanding human behaviour is a vital skill, and the Bachelor of Psychological Science is built to help students understand human functioning across a broad range of professional settings. Graduates complete a sequence in psychology accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a Level 1 Program, acquiring an advanced understanding of human behaviour and mental processes together with employable skills that are highly regarded by industry leaders. The degree also prepares students for optional postgraduate study that may lead to registration as a professional psychologist; ACU notes that a minimum six-year sequence of education and training in psychology is required before an individual is eligible for general registration in Australia.

The course requires 240 credit points: 140 credit points of specified psychology units, a 40 credit point minor taken from either the Health Sciences or the Arts schedule, 20 credit points of University Core Curriculum units, a 10 credit point psychology community engagement unit, 10 credit points of psychology electives and 20 credit points of general electives. Minors on offer include Communication in Health, Counselling, Criminology, Exercise and Sports Science, Human Biology and Indigenous Australia. With an emphasis on work-integrated learning, the third-year unit PSYC310 Psychological Services Experience gives students the opportunity to complete 25 hours of community engagement. Double-degree combinations are available with Arts, Business, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Exercise and Sports Science, Nutrition Science, Laws and the Master of Teaching (Primary). The course is taught at ACU's Melbourne and Strathfield campuses, with tutorial, lab and workshop classes normally capped at 30 students.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

AUD $12,934

Duration

3 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Intakes

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2027 (Applications open August 2026) | Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning August 2027 (Applications open April 2027)

Study Mode

Full-time or part-time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12, or equivalent:
- New South Wales: Assumed Knowledge - English (Standard) (Band 2) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD)
- Victoria: Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
Indicative ATAR: 58.50 (Melbourne), 58.50 (Strathfield)
Applicants with higher education study must still meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites. Applicants who have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above are assigned a new selection rank reflecting their study level, duration and grade point average, and prior study or relevant work experience may attract credit or recognition of prior learning.
ACU also assesses applicants on recent secondary education, prior VET study, and work and life experience.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

International students

International applicants need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate and must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including its English Language Proficiency requirements.
International students completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (either in or outside Australia), an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 must apply through their local Tertiary Admission Centre and are assessed on their performance in those studies, that is, their ATAR or equivalent.
English language requirements: IELTS overall 7.0, with an individual score of 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing; PTE Academic 66, with a minimum of 66 in listening, reading and speaking and 56 in writing; TOEFL internet-based total of 94, with a minimum of 24 in writing, reading and listening and 23 in speaking; C1 Advanced overall 185, with a minimum of 185 in listening, reading and speaking and 176 in writing; or ACU English Language Test grade A (75-79%).

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

After completing the course our graduates have pursued careers in diverse areas such as:
• Child welfare and protection
• Community work
• Marketing and market research
• Health
• Education
• Human resources
• Registered practising psychologist, after completing further studies in psychology
• Psychological research, after completing further studies in psychology

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

Australian Psychological Society (APS)

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units65 units

PSYC100

Foundations of Psychology

PSYC101

Applications of Psychology

PSYC108

Psychological Practice: Theory and Techniques

PSYC110

Research Design and Data Analysis 1

PSYC200

Life Span Development

PSYC212

Abnormal Psychology

PSYC220

Personality and Individual Differences

PSYC226

Research Design and Data Analysis 2

PSYC227

Social Psychology

PSYC307

Cognitive Psychology

PSYC314

Psychological Assessment

PSYC315

Brain and Behaviour

PSYC323

Research Design and Data Analysis 3

PSYC324

Learning and Behaviour

COMH

Communication in Health

COUN

Counselling

CRMN

Criminology

ESPS

Exercise and Sports Science

HBIO

Human Biology

INAU

Indigenous Australia

ARCH

Archaeology

BUSD

Business Studies

COMM

Communication

DRAM

Drama

DTCO

Digital Technologies (Computing)

ECON

Economics

ENGL

English

ENHU

Environmental Humanities

ESTD

Education Studies

GEES

Geography, Environment and Society

GRDE

Graphic Design

HIST

History

MATH

Mathematics

MEMS

Medieval and Early Modern Studies

MUSC

Music

PHIL

Philosophy

PINR

Politics and International Relations

SOCI

Sociology

SRLG

Study of Religions

THSD

Theological Studies

VISU

Visual Arts

YWRK

Youth Work

PHCC102

Being Human

PHCC104

Ethics and the Good Life

PHCC106

Making Sense: Practical Reasoning for Life and Career

THCC100

Revolutionary Values: Christianity in History

THCC101

People Matter: Catholic Social Thought

TPCC100

Life and Meaning: Imagining Ourselves through Art and Cinema

PHCC201

The Origins of the Sciences and Contemporary Challenges

THCC200

Justice in the World: Catholic Social Ethics in Global Perspective

THCC202

Sacred Land: Australian Indigenous Spiritualities and Catholic Thought

TPCC201

Ecology and Justice

TPCC202

Conflict, Violence and Peace-making

PSYC310

Psychological Services Experience

PSYC207

Culture and Psychology

PSYC208

Organisational Psychology

PSYC215

Evolutionary Psychology

PSYC219

Psychology of Religion

PSYC221

Psychology of Eating Behaviour

PSYC222

Health Psychology

PSYC223

Psychology of Sexuality and Gender

PSYC224

Emotion and Social Cognition

PSYC225

Applied Positive Psychology

PSYC317

Introduction to Neuropsychology

PSYC322

Critical Thinking and Research Skills for Psychology

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Psychological Science take to complete?

The Bachelor of Psychological Science at Australian Catholic University has a duration of 156 weeks as listed in the CRICOS registry.

Does the Bachelor of Psychological Science include a work component?

Yes, the third-year unit PSYC310 Psychological Services Experience gives students the opportunity to complete 25 hours of community engagement as the course's work-integrated learning component.

What is the estimated total cost of the Bachelor of Psychological Science for international students?

The estimated total tuition cost for international students is AU$100,080, based on ACU's indicative first-year fee of AU$33,360 across the three years of the course, with no additional non-tuition fees listed.

Where is the Bachelor of Psychological Science taught?

The Bachelor of Psychological Science is offered at two campuses: the Strathfield Campus in New South Wales and the Melbourne Campus in Victoria, both owned and operated by Australian Catholic University.

Is the Bachelor of Psychological Science eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

The course may be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights as it is a Skills Level 1 qualification (Bachelor Degree), has a duration greater than 92 weeks (156 weeks), and falls under the Behavioural Science narrow field of education. Eligibility is reviewed yearly and requires at least one active enrolment at the time of review.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $61,000 to $80,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $80,000 to $100,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $100,000 to $124,000 per year

Career Paths

Clinical PsychologistCounselling PsychologistOrganisational / Industrial PsychologistForensic PsychologistSchool Psychologist / Educational Psychologist

Key Skills

Critical thinking and evidence-based reasoningPsychological assessment and diagnostic interviewingQuantitative and qualitative research design and analysisTherapeutic communication and active listeningReport writing and clinical documentation

Full Course Overview

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