Course Overview

About This Course

This four-year double degree, accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), offers a comprehensive understanding of psychology while also allowing students to pursue an interest in the humanities, social sciences or visual arts. The Bachelor of Psychological Science explores how the mind works and why people behave the way they do, while within the Bachelor of Arts students learn to gather and evaluate evidence, think critically, and apply ethical principles in decision-making. Combining the two degrees leaves graduates well equipped to help people address issues and challenges in their lives, and ACU's graduates make meaningful contributions to improving the outcomes of clients, customers, colleagues and collaborators in settings that include government departments, the private sector, schools, business and not-for-profit organisations.

The course requires 320 credit points. Half come from the Bachelor of Psychological Science: 140 credit points of specified psychology units, 10 credit points of psychology electives and a 10 credit point psychology community engagement unit. The other 160 credit points come from the Bachelor of Arts, made up of an 80 credit point Arts major and a 40 credit point Arts minor, both taken outside psychology, 20 credit points of Arts electives and 20 credit points of University Core Curriculum units. 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. ACU notes that a minimum seven-year sequence of education and training is required for general registration as a psychologist in Australia when completing this double degree. The course is offered at ACU's Melbourne and Strathfield campuses.

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 $13,952

Duration

4 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Intakes

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2027 (Applications open August 2026) | Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not offered this intake

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); for study in Mathematics, Mathematics (Band 3) (other than Mathematics General 2)
- Victoria: Prerequisites - 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; Assumed Knowledge - for study in Mathematics, Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4
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 for admission through their local Tertiary Admission Centre and are assessed on their performance in those studies, that is, their ATAR or equivalent.

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 Units85 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

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

PSYC310

Psychological Services Experience

ARCH

Archaeology

BUSD

Business Studies

DETI

Design and Technologies

DRAM

Drama

ENGL

English

GEES

Geography, Environment and Society

HIST

History

HURI

Human Rights

LANS

Languages

MATH

Mathematics

MUSC

Music

PHIL

Philosophy

PINR

Politics and International Relations

PSYC

Psychology

SOCI

Sociology

SRLG

Study of Religions

SUSN

Sustainability

THSD

Theological Studies

VISU

Visual Arts

ARCH

Archaeology

BUSD

Business Studies

COMM

Communication

CRIM

Criminology

DRAM

Drama

DTCO

Digital Technologies (Computing)

ECON

Economics

ENGL

English

ENHU

Environmental Humanities

ESTD

Education Studies

GEES

Geography, Environment and Society

GLST

Global Studies

GRDE

Graphic Design

HIST

History

HURI

Human Rights

LANS

Languages

MATH

Mathematics

MEMS

Medieval and Early Modern Studies

MHSY

Mental Health and Society

MUSC

Music

PHIL

Philosophy

PINR

Politics and International Relations

PSYC

Psychology

SOCI

Sociology

SRLG

Study of Religions

THSD

Theological Studies

VEAM

Veterans Arts Minor

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

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What two qualifications do I receive upon completing this degree?

Upon completion, you receive a dual qualification: a Bachelor of Psychological Science (in the field of Psychology/Behavioural Science) and a Bachelor of Arts (in the field of Society and Culture), both at bachelor degree level.

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

The course has a duration of 208 weeks (approximately 4 years), as registered on the CRICOS registry.

Does this course 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.

How much does the course cost in total?

The estimated total tuition cost for international students is AU$133,440, based on ACU's indicative first-year fee of AU$33,360 across the four years of the course, with no additional non-tuition fees listed.

At which campuses is this course available?

This course is offered at two ACU campuses: the Strathfield Campus in New South Wales and the Australian Catholic University Melbourne Campus in Victoria, both owned and operated by the provider.

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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