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156 weeks
On-campus and Online
Full-time or part-time / On-campus / Online · 4 credit points per trimester (full-time), typically two trimesters per year
March (Trimester 1) | July (Trimester 2) | November (Trimester 3)
Course Overview
Curious about what makes people think, feel and behave the way they do? Deakin's Bachelor of Psychological Science covers many aspects of human behaviour and personality. Fast-track your degree with our trimester system over two years of full-time study, all while learning from the best as Deakin is ranked #1 in Victoria for psychology teaching practices, student support and facilities.
Specialise from year one with the only Victorian university to offer specialist psychology majors in an undergraduate psychology degree, so you can follow your passion early on with a major in child and family, organisational studies or forensic studies. This course prepares you for a range of careers in the fast-growing health sector or sets you up to pursue further study towards provisional registration as a psychologist. You will have the option of undertaking 140 hours of real-world experience with an industry placement strengthening your employment prospects. Do you want to become an expert in human behaviour, personality and emotion, and join one of the strongest growth areas in the health sector? Ranked #7 in Australia ^ , Deakin's School of Psychology is one of the largest in Australia. Leverage our strong partnerships with industry, including collaborative activities with government agencies, public and private organisations, hospitals and other universities. These partnerships ensure your degree remains relevant to industry and workforce needs. Embedded practical experience and employability focused coursework ensures you graduate career-ready and ahead of the pack with transferrable skills. You will be in high demand by employers who want graduates that are ready to face real-world problems with confidence. This course recognises the importance of, and relationships between, a range of human factors you will encounter in your future career. You will explore diverse areas of psychology, including: behavioural and clinical neuroscience child and adolescent psychology human social behaviour cognitive psychology psychopathology personality and individual differences forensic psychology. You will also have the opportunity to develop your counselling and coaching skills through Applied Counselling Skills core units, and via our Master of Counselling postgraduate course The Bachelor of Psychological Science is recognised for registration purposes by the Psychology Board of Australia and enables you to undertake additional study in pursuit of professional registration as a psychologist. The course is also accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) . If you want to become a psychologist, this course is a pathway to a fourth year of study in the form of either our Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) . After successfully completing a fourth year of study, you will be eligible to apply to register as a provisional psychologist. Students wishing to gain general registration can then apply to continue their studies by undertaking one of Deakin's psychology masters or doctorate level courses. Once you have completed a masters degree you can apply for general registration. A psychology qualification can prepare you for many diverse, exciting career paths. While some psychology graduates go on to become registered psychologists, many others will pursue roles in complementary professions or entirely different fields. Careers in psychology-related fields are always evolving, visit our careers page to discover the exciting broad range of careers that you could pursue. Discover our psychology and mental health courses.
Student Experience Survey 2022 - 2023, Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT). ^ 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject
Where You Can Study
Melbourne
1 Gheringhap St, GEELONG, VIC 3220
Eligibility
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
TEQSA
Professional Body
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
Accreditation Status
AccreditedSkills Assessor
Australian Psychological Society (APS)
Course Content
Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin
0 credit point compulsory unit completed in first study period
Foundations of Psychological Science
Foundations of Psychology unit, Level 1 Trimester 1
Foundations of Psychological Practice
Foundations of Psychology unit, Level 1 Trimester 1
Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour
Foundations of Psychology unit, Level 1 Trimester 1
Introduction to Psychology: Individual and Social Development
Foundations of Psychology unit, Level 1 Trimester 2
Health Psychology (Behaviour Change)
Psychology in Practice unit, Level 1 Trimester 2
Psychology At Work (Preparation)
Psychology in Practice unit, Level 1 Trimester 2
Cognitive Psychology
Psychology Essentials unit, Level 2 Trimester 1
Social Psychology
Psychology Essentials unit, Level 2 Trimester 1
Applied Counselling Skills (Introductory)
Psychology in Practice unit, Level 2 Trimester 1
Psychology Research Methods (Introductory)
Psychology Essentials unit, Level 2 Trimester 2
Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent)
Psychology Essentials unit, Level 2 Trimester 2
Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)
Psychology Essentials unit, Level 3 Trimester 1
Biological Psychology (Brain and Behaviour)
Psychology Essentials unit, Level 3 Trimester 1
Applied Counselling Skills (Intermediate)
Psychology in Practice unit, Level 3 Trimester 2
Personality Psychology
Psychology Essentials unit, Level 3 Trimester 2
Psychopathology
Psychology Essentials unit, Level 3 Trimester 2
Cross Cultural and Indigenous Psychology
Psychology course elective, Trimester 1
Developmental Psychology (Adult)
Psychology course elective, Trimester 1
Health Psychology (Addiction)
Psychology course elective, Trimester 1
Psychology At Work (Internship)
Psychology course elective, Trimester 1
Forensic Psychology
Psychology course elective, Trimester 2
Health Psychology (Chronic Illness)
Psychology course elective, Trimester 2
Social Psychology (Advanced)
Psychology course elective, Trimester 2
Biological Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience)
Psychology course elective, Trimester 2
Common Questions
Yes. The Bachelor of Psychological Science is recognised for registration purposes by the Psychology Board of Australia and is also accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). It forms the first part of the pathway to provisional registration as a psychologist; students must then complete an approved fourth year of study, such as Deakin's Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced), before applying for provisional registration.
Deakin is the only Victorian university to offer specialist psychology majors in an undergraduate psychology degree. Students can specialise from year one with a major in Forensic Studies, Child and Family, or Organisational Studies. Warrnambool students wishing to undertake these majors must enrol in the online offerings of the units.
The Bachelor of Psychological Science takes 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent. The course is available across three intakes: Trimester 1 (March), Trimester 2 (July), and Trimester 3 (November), at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Warrnambool, and Online. Students may also fast-track their degree by studying in the optional third trimester.
Students will have the option of undertaking 140 hours of real-world experience with an industry placement, strengthening employment prospects. The course also features embedded practical experience and employability-focused coursework, as well as Applied Counselling Skills units at both introductory and intermediate levels. Deakin also leverages strong partnerships with industry, including collaborative activities with government agencies, public and private organisations, hospitals and other universities.
The lowest selection rank (ATAR) based on 2026 early and first round VTAC offers is 60.95 at Burwood (Melbourne), 61.65 at Waurn Ponds (Geelong), NP (unpublished) at Warrnambool, and 63.8 Online. Eligible students may qualify for the Deakin Guaranteed ATAR of 52 at Burwood and Waurn Ponds, or 55 at Warrnambool and Online.
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