Course Overview

About This Course

Develop specialist knowledge to truly understand people with the Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Honours) at Victoria University. If you have an accredited Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent) with a major in psychology, our honours course provides the opportunity to enhance your learning and improve your career prospects with an additional year of study. The honours year will focus your learning within informed, conceptual thinking and research skills, allowing you to gain a deeper awareness of human motivations, responses and relationships. By completing a research thesis, you’ll graduate with a sought-after honours qualification. From there, you'll be ready to explore postgraduate courses in psychology, or careers from social work to community services. If you don’t have a bachelor degree, start by considering our Bachelor of Psychological Studies and the range of psychology courses offered by VU.

If you choose to continue on to postgraduate studies, you’ll be able to take up professional training at VU’s Psychology Clinic , providing discounted psychological services to the community. Areas of study and learning outcomes covered include: use advanced cognitive, research, and problem-solving skills to pursue postgraduate research or a professional career in psychology; employ skills in independent research and theoretical analysis in psychology; assess and evaluate the nature of psychology as a profession, the ethical and legal responsibilities of the psychologist and the role of the Australian Psychological Society; Elucidate an advanced knowledge and application of psychological theory and social research methods. Graduates pursue roles and settings such as welfare, social work, community services, human resources.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

Victoria University City Campus, 364-378 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Indicative fees for full-time student (2026): AU$17,399 per year | Indicative fees for full-time student (2027): AU$18,025 per year

Duration

1 year full time or longer for part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students:

Applicants with higher education study: Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) with a major psychology. Degree must have been accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). PLUS A minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70% is required across all core third year psychology units. Note that all applications are ranked according to academic merit, therefore the cut-off WAM for receiving an offer differs from year to year and may be substantially higher than the minimum requirement of 70%.

International students:

You may also be eligible for course 'credits', where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.
Applicants with a cognate (same discipline) Australian Bachelor Degree and with a minimum weighted average mark (WAM) of 70% across all core third year psychology units; as well as the completion of an APAC-accredited major in psychology, will be considered for admission to the course. Equivalence of international degrees to an accredited 3-year sequence in psychology in Australia must be formally assessed and confirmed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS). PLUS IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score of 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

welfare
social work
community services
human resources

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 Units6 units

APH4012

Research Thesis

Year 1, Semester 1 — 24 credit points

APH4013

Psychology in Practice

Year 1, Semester 1 — 12 credit points

APH4018

Social Research Methods in Context

Year 1, Semester 1 — 12 credit points

APH4001

Psychological Interventions

Year 1, Semester 2 — 12 credit points

APH4015

Extended Research Thesis

Year 1, Semester 2 — 24 credit points

APH4071

Professional Orientation (Psychological Assessment)

Year 1, Semester 2 — 12 credit points

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the course structure and how many credit points are required to complete the Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Honours)?

To attain the Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Honours), students must complete 96 credit points in total, consisting of 48 credit points of Core studies and 2 x 24 credit points of Core Thesis studies, all delivered across one year (two semesters).

Is this course accredited and what does that mean for my career?

Yes, the Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Honours) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). This accreditation means that graduates have the foundation to pursue research postgraduate degrees such as a Masters by Research or PhD, which can lead to accreditation as a registered psychologist.

What are the indicative fees for this course?

For eligible students, this course is offered as a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), with indicative fees of approximately AU$17,399 per year for a full-time student in 2026. This is a guide only and does not include materials such as textbooks or the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Students who are not eligible for a CSP will pay the full cost of each unit.

Can I access clinical psychology training after completing this honours degree?

Yes. If you choose to continue on to postgraduate studies in psychology at VU, you will be able to take up professional training at VU's Psychology Clinic, which provides discounted psychological services to the community. The Clinic offers assessment and treatment for anxiety, learning difficulties and difficult life events, provided by provisional psychologists supervised by experienced clinical psychologists.

What skills and learning outcomes will I develop during this honours year?

Upon successful completion, you will be able to: elucidate advanced knowledge and application of psychological theory and social research methods; critically analyse skills in psychological assessment and evidence-based intervention strategies with cultural considerations; implement independent research skills to investigate substantive research questions; critically evaluate the nature of psychology as a profession including legal and ethical responsibilities; exhibit interpersonal communication and interviewing skills consistent with pre-professional and culturally sensitive practice; and exemplify independence, self-reflection and creativity in professional and academic pursuits.

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.

Upcoming Intakes

09 February 2026

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $62,000 to $79,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $79,000 to $95,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $95,000 to $120,000 per year

Career Paths

Provisional Psychologist (supervised practice)Graduate Research OfficerMental Health Support WorkerCase Manager – Mental Health / Disability ServicesHuman Resources Officer / People and Culture Advisor

Key Skills

Advanced psychological research design and methodologyQuantitative and qualitative data analysis (including statistical software such as SPSS or R)Academic thesis writing and scientific reportingPsychological assessment and psychometric interpretationEvidence-based clinical reasoning and intervention appraisal

Full Course Overview

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