Course Overview

About This Course

The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (Cognitive Neuroscience) builds advanced professional and research skills on top of the psychology core, with a cognitive neuroscience focus that develops your understanding of human anatomy and how it shapes brain development.
You study psychological theories and concepts as they apply in industry, and put those skills into practice in dedicated campus facilities — the Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Psychology Clinic, and Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory — where you observe how different brains respond to the same stimuli and develop your ethical practice and professional conduct.
The honours year adds research capability, and the degree is a step on the path toward becoming a registered psychologist in Australia, which requires a minimum six-year sequence of study.
The program totals 192 units — 186 units of core courses and 6 units of work integrated learning — over four years across the Adelaide City and Magill campuses.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Adelaide

Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095

Open in Maps ↗

Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Commonwealth Supported

Duration

4 years full-time

Intakes

February

Study Mode

Full time or part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students
Prerequisite: None
Assumed knowledge: None
SATAC code: ABP198
Entry scores:
• 2026 cut-offs — Year 12 (ATAR-based): 85
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 Advanced Diploma (AQF level 6) 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 at undergraduate Diploma (AQF level 5) or higher.
• 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 99.45, selection rank 99.95
• Median rank to receive an offer — ATAR 90.65, selection rank 95.72
• Lowest rank to receive an offer — ATAR 79.8, selection rank 86.6

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 Advanced Diploma (AQF level 6) 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 at undergraduate Diploma (AQF level 5).
Indicative academic entry requirements by country:
• Australia — ATAR: 95
• Canada — Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD): 90%
• China — Gaokao: 85%
• Denmark — Studentereksamen (stx: Upper Secondary School Diploma): 10 (Very Good)
• France — French Baccalaureate: 14.5
• Global — International Baccalaureate: 36
• Hong Kong — Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): 23
• India — CBSE and CISCE: 90
• India — State Board Examinations: 94
• Indonesia — SMA III: 90%
• Kenya — Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): A
• Malaysia — Matrikulasi: 3.55
• Malaysia — Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM): 3.55
• Malaysia — United Entrance Certificate (UEC): 9
• Norway — Upper Secondary School Certificate (Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole) / Vitnemal For Videregaende Opplaering: 5.2
• Phillippines — High School Diploma (Grade 12) (Academic Track) K12: 97%
• Singapore — Singapore GCE Advanced Levels: 13
• South Korea — College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT): 360
• Sri Lanka — GCE A Levels: 14
• Sweden — Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate: 17.5
• Taiwan — GSAT %: 85%
• Taiwan GSAT — Score out of 60: 52
• Thailand — Matayom 6: 3.98
• UK / Global — GCE Advanced Levels: 14
• USA / Global — Advanced Placement (AP): 13
• USA / Global — America College Test (ACT): 32
• USA / Global — Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT): 1360
• Vietnam — Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông (Vietnamese Year 12): 9
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

Our global workforce is largely made up of humans. Professionals who understand how people work, how to support them and how to improve resilience are extremely valuable. You’ll be able to use your knowledge of human brains and behaviour in a variety of different industries, including:
• Education
• Business and human resources
• Government and not-for-profits
• Technology
• Social services and mental health
• Sports and performance
• Marketing and advertising
• 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 Units28 units

HBIO1002

Human Anatomy and Physiology A

PSYC1000

Introductory Psychology Research Methods

PSYC1001

Understanding Individual Behaviour and Cognition

PSYC1002

Psychology for Social Contexts

HBIO1005

Essentials of Neuroscience

PSYC1003

Health and Developmental Psychology

PSYC1004

Foundations in Cognitive Neuroscience

PSYC1012

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology

MDST2002

Foundations of Human Neuroanatomy

PSYC2000

Insights into Data and Research in Psychology

PSYC2009

Career Development in Psychology

PSYC3018

Cognitive Neuroscience

PSYC2001

Insights into Individual Behaviour and Cognition

PSYC2003

Insights into Health and Developmental Psychology

PSYC2010

Psychology for Global Challenges

PSYC2015

Data Science for Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology

PSYC3001

Advanced Individual Behaviour and Cognition

PSYC3007

Advanced Research Methods in Psychology

PSYC3025

The Neuroscience of Language

PSYC3900

Work Integrated Learning in Psychology

BIOL3024

Neuroscience Across the Lifespan

PSYC3003

Advanced Health and Developmental Psychology

PSYC3011

Psychology for Organisations and Communities

PSYC4001

Interviewing and Interpersonal Skills for Psychology

PSYC4002

Professional Skills for Psychological Assessment

PSYC4004

Psychology Research Project

PSYC4000

Psychological Interventions and Applications

PSYC4800

Psychological Research Evidence in Professional Contexts

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total estimated cost of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (Cognitive Neuroscience) at Adelaide University?

Adelaide University publishes an indicative annual tuition fee of AU$48,600 for international students commencing in 2027, which is AU$194,400 across the four-year program. No additional non-tuition fees are listed.

How long does the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (Cognitive Neuroscience) take to complete?

The course has a duration of 208 weeks, which is approximately four years of study.

Where is the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (Cognitive Neuroscience) delivered?

The course is delivered at Adelaide University's Magill Campus in South Australia, a location owned and operated by the provider (CRICOS Provider Code: 04249J).

What field of education does this course fall under?

The course falls under the broad field of Society and Culture (09), with a narrow field of Behavioural Science (0907) and a detailed field of Psychology (090701).

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 Skills Level 1 qualification (Bachelor Honours Degree), has a duration greater than 92 weeks (208 weeks), and is in the Psychology field which aligns with the Skills Level 1 priority list. 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 $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

💬

Need guidance?

Free advisor support

Our advisors help international students choose the right course and navigate visa pathways — at no cost.

Promote your Institution with Find the Courses