Course Overview

About This Course

In the Bachelor of Psychological Science, you will develop an integrated understanding of human behaviour including social-cultural perspectives, motivations, health and psychopathology as well as the fundamental premise of psychology as an empirically based science. Key study areas include abnormal psychology, introduction to forensic psychology, counselling, learning and motivation, cognitive psychology, the biological bases of behaviour, research methods, and social psychology. The Bachelor of Psychological Science will also prepare you for the Honours program, as well as postgraduate professional coursework.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Casuarina Campus, Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina NT 0810

54-58 Cavenagh Street, DARWIN CITY, NT 0800

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60 (after any applicable adjustment factors have been applied)
Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher
Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma
Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications
Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 140
Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognised tertiary preparation course
Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience
Australian Defence Force (ADF) members with service of 1 year or more at the following ranks (or higher): Navy: Seaman, Able Seaman, Leading Seaman; Air Force: Aircraftmen/Aircraftwoman, Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman, Corporal; Army: Private, Lance Corporal, Corporal
Current School Leaver Pathways: Best of 3 Year 12 subject grades or School recommendation program
English language requirement (Domestic): Minimum IELTS overall 6.0 with no band below 6.0, or equivalent
English language requirement (International): Minimum IELTS Academic overall 6.0 with no band below 6.0, or equivalent test scores

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

In addition to a first step on the route to clinical psychology practice, students graduating from this course also find career opportunities in child and family services, child protection, community health and welfare, drug and alcohol, disability and rehabilitation services, health service management, research and evaluation, policy and planning, human resources management, advertising and marketing.

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 Units34 units

HSC132

Introduction to Health Promotion

Core unit

IAS142

Ethics and Protocols in Indigenous Contexts

Core unit

PSY101

Introduction to Research Skills

Core unit

PSY116

Intercultural Sensitivity and Psychological Communication

Core unit

PSY150

Introduction to Psychology A

Core unit

PSY151

Introduction to Psychology B

Core unit

HSC220

Society, Culture and Health: A Sociological Introduction

Core unit

PSY203

Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan

Core unit

PSY219

Social Psychology

Core unit

PSY228

Neuroscience and Biological Bases of Behaviour

Core unit

PSY246

Cognition, Language and Perception

Core unit

PSY248

Research Design and Analysis

Core unit

PSY307

Theories of Individual Differences and Personality

Core unit

PSY330

Learning and Memory

Core unit

PSY337

Advanced Research Design and Analysis

Core unit

PSY356

Motivation and Emotion

Core unit

PSY363

Abnormal Psychology

Core unit

PSY365

Applied Community and Health Psychology

Core unit

HSC119

Counselling Theory and Micro Skills

Specialist elective

IAS101

Indigenous Australia

Specialist elective

PSY144

Traumatology Assessment and Intervention

Specialist elective

SWK101

Introduction to Human Services

Specialist elective

SWK102

Communication Skills

Specialist elective

AOD202

Alcohol and Other Drugs Studies

Specialist elective

HSC203

Perspectives of Indigenous Health

Specialist elective (no longer offered)

HSC211

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Specialist elective

SPE206

Health, Exercise and Sport Psychology

Specialist elective

SWK201

Human Service Organisations

Specialist elective

SWK202

Dynamics of Group Work

Specialist elective

AOD311

Counselling/Interventions in Alcohol and Other Drugs

Specialist elective

IAS355

Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing

Specialist elective

PSY311

Introduction to Forensic Psychology

Specialist elective (not offered 2025)

PSY390

Counselling

Specialist elective

SPE351

Psychology and Sport

Specialist elective (no longer available from 2025)

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bachelor of Psychological Science accredited and will it allow me to progress to further psychology study?

Yes, this course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and will prepare you for entry into an Honours year in psychology. During your studies, you will also be eligible to join the Australian Psychological Society.

How many credit points do I need to complete the Bachelor of Psychological Science?

A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 240 credit points, comprising 180 credit points of compulsory core units (18 units) and 60 credit points of specialist elective units (6 units). A maximum of 100 credit points may be taken from 100 level units, and a minimum of 60 credit points must be taken from 300 level units or above.

What are the annual tuition fees for international students?

The annual tuition fee for full-time international students in 2026 is AUD $33,208.00, which equates to $4,151.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL). These fees are subject to annual increases effective at the start of each calendar year. CDU also offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.

Can I study this course online or part-time?

Yes, the Bachelor of Psychological Science is available both on campus (Casuarina campus) and online for domestic students, and can be studied full-time (3 years) or part-time (6 years). Intakes are available in Semester 1, Semester 2, and Summer Semester.

What happens in each year of the Bachelor of Psychological Science?

The first year provides a general introduction to psychology and research methods, and also covers ethics, indigenous protocols and intercultural sensitivity. In the second year, students explore main areas of psychology such as social and cognitive psychology in more detail. In the third year, these basic principles are applied to higher level topics such as abnormal psychology and personality. Throughout the course, there are opportunities for students to take specialist electives.

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!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

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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Bachelor of Psychological Science

About This Course

Available Locations

Entry Requirements

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

Hear From the Students