Course Overview

About This Course

The Bachelor of Psychology (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills) gives a foundational understanding of the ideas, principles, theories and methods essential to psychology, with a counselling focus that develops the knowledge, skills and qualities needed to provide tailored support to people and communities.
You study a mix of courses covering developmental psychology, counselling and interpersonal skills, psychological theory and research methods. Health and developmental psychology help you understand how people grow and stay healthy across the lifespan, supported by cognition and language, social psychology, counselling, and communicating in social work and human services settings.
The counselling and interpersonal skills courses focus on the analytical, communication and interpersonal skills needed to work with individuals, groups and communities, and cover community engagement.
Practical learning is a key focus: hands-on community service activities and professional placements in diverse community settings give practical experience before you enter the workforce.
The degree prepares you for careers in counselling-related fields, where counsellors help people through bereavement, relationship difficulties, recovery from trauma and other significant life transitions, as well as workplace mediation, conflict resolution and vocational assessment. You can continue toward professional registration through the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills).
The program totals 144 units — 138 units of core courses and 6 units of work integrated learning — over three years across the Adelaide City and Magill campuses, with February and July intakes.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Adelaide

Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Commonwealth Supported

Duration

3 years full-time

Intakes

February, July

Study Mode

Full time or part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students
Prerequisite: None
Assumed knowledge: None
SATAC code: ABP196
Entry scores:
• 2026 cut-offs — Year 12 (ATAR-based): 65
• 2027 guaranteed entry — Guaranteed entry score (ATAR-based): 70
• 2027 guaranteed entry — Guaranteed entry score (Grades-based): B, B, B
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.
• Secondary education (Year 12) — Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) — Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or higher.
• Higher education study — Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) in a higher education award program.
• Work and life experience — Completion of an Adelaide University approved enabling, pathway or bridging program; OR A competitive result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT); OR Qualify for special entry
ATAR profile (2026 Semester 1 intake, ATAR-based offers):
• Highest rank to receive an offer — ATAR 98.55, selection rank 99.95
• Median rank to receive an offer — ATAR 76.8, selection rank 79.35
• Lowest rank to receive an offer — ATAR 56.9, selection rank 65.3

International students
Prerequisite: None
Assumed knowledge: None
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum entry requirements:
• Secondary education (Year 12) — Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) — Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or higher.
• Higher education study — Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) in a higher education award program.
Indicative academic entry requirements by country:
• Australia — ATAR: 80
• Canada — Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD): 75%
• China — Gaokao: 70%
• Denmark — Studentereksamen (stx: Upper Secondary School Diploma): 4 (Fair)
• France — French Baccalaureate: 12.0
• Global — International Baccalaureate: 28
• Hong Kong — Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): 18
• India — CBSE and CISCE: 75
• India — State Board Examinations: 85
• Indonesia — SMA III: 80%
• Kenya — Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): B+
• Malaysia — Matrikulasi: 3.00
• Malaysia — Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM): 3.00
• Malaysia — United Entrance Certificate (UEC): 21
• Norway — Upper Secondary School Certificate (Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole) / Vitnemal For Videregaende Opplaering: 4.0
• Phillippines — High School Diploma (Grade 12) (Academic Track) K12: 88%
• Singapore — Singapore GCE Advanced Levels: 9
• South Korea — College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT): 325
• Sri Lanka — GCE A Levels: 10
• Sweden — Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate: 15.0
• Taiwan — GSAT %: 70%
• Taiwan GSAT — Score out of 60: 40
• Thailand — Matayom 6: 3.60
• UK / Global — GCE Advanced Levels: 9
• USA / Global — Advanced Placement (AP): 9
• USA / Global — America College Test (ACT): 24
• USA / Global — Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT): 1170
• Vietnam — Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông (Vietnamese Year 12): 8.3
English language requirements (achieved within the two years before admission):
• IELTS Overall 6.5
• IELTS Reading 6
• IELTS Listening 6
• IELTS Speaking 6
• IELTS Writing 6

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

With its focus on fit-for-purpose counselling strategies, our Bachelor of Psychology (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills) provides an exceptional foundation for a career in a range of diverse settings, including:
• Education
• Business and human resources
• Government and non-profit organisations
• Family services
• Crisis intervention services
• Private coaching or consulting

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 Units27 units

PSYC1000

Introductory Psychology Research Methods

PSYC1001

Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition

PSYC1002

Psychology for Social Contexts

PSYC1043

Foundations of Effective Communication and Counselling Skills

PSYC1003

Health and Developmental Psychology

PSYC1005

Counselling Foundations

SOWK1005

Group Work

PSYC1012

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology

PSYC2000

Insights into Data and Research in Psychology

PSYC2005

Counselling Skills

PSYC2009

Career Development in Psychology

PSYC2001

Insights into Individual Behaviour and Cognition

PSYC2003

Insights into Health and Developmental Psychology

PSYC2010

Psychology for Global Challenges

SOWK2000

Counselling Interventions

PSYC3047

Advanced Integrative Counselling Practice

PSYC3001

Advanced Individual Behaviour and Cognition

PSYC5051

Counselling and Psychotherapy Theories

PSYC3007

Advanced Research Methods in Psychology

PSYC3003

Advanced Health and Developmental Psychology

PSYC3011

Psychology for Organisations and Communities

PSYC5055

Ethics in the Counselling Workplace

PSYC3900

Work Integrated Learning in Psychology

PSYC2033

Applied Relational and Counselling Skills

PSYC1009

Group Work

SOWK1001

Communication Skills in Social Work and Human Services

SOWK2001

Working with Community

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Psychology (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills) take to complete?

The course has a duration of 156 weeks as listed on the CRICOS registry.

Is there a work placement component in this degree?

Yes, the course includes a work component of 150 hours spread over 15 weeks as part of the program requirements.

How much does the Bachelor of Psychology (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills) cost for international students?

Adelaide University publishes an indicative annual tuition fee of AU$48,600 for international students commencing in 2027, which is AU$145,800 across the three-year program. No additional non-tuition fees are listed.

Where is the Bachelor of Psychology (Counselling and Interpersonal Skills) taught?

The course is delivered at Adelaide University's Magill Campus in South Australia, a location owned and operated by the provider.

Is this course eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

This course may be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights as it is a bachelor-level qualification with a duration of 156 weeks (exceeding the 92-week threshold) in 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 $60,000 to $75,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $75,000 to $90,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $90,000 to $105,000 per year

Career Paths

Mental Health CounsellorYouth Counsellor / School CounsellorFamily and Relationship CounsellorDrug and Alcohol Counsellor (AOD Counsellor)Trauma Counsellor

Key Skills

Active listening and reflective communicationBuilding therapeutic rapport and trust with clientsApplying counselling theories and frameworks (CBT, person-centred, psychodynamic, narrative)Crisis intervention and risk assessmentTrauma-informed and culturally safe practice

Full Course Overview

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