Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Turn high-achieving into a higher degree
Our Honours Degree of Bachelor of Psychological Science offers the necessary foundation for postgraduate research and registration as a psychologist.
It is available to students who have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in psychology, a three year psychology degree from an accredited institution, or our Bachelor of Psychological Science.
What will you do?
- Undertake a major research project chosen from an area of psychology.
- Partner with an academic mentor who’ll support and encourage your academic progress.
- Work alongside potential employers in the industry and benefit from extensive industry links.
- Build advanced data analysis, team management, and research presentation skills.
Where could it take you?
Honours graduates can apply to further postgraduate studies in health psychology, clinical psychology, or organisational and human factors psychology. However, an honours degree will also give you a competitive edge in a wide variety of human-centred professions. You could become a social psychologist, doing large-scale research to change the way we go about our lives. You might work in community services with people of all ages and backgrounds. Perhaps you’ll move into market research and advertising.
For details on the application process, please see the Entry Requirements section below.
Note:
This degree is only available in blended mode and on-campus attendance is required. If you are a continuing student in the degree and are unable to attend campus, please contact your program coordinator for program advice.
*Times Higher Education World Rankings by Subject, 2024.
^Australian Government, Labour Market Insights, 2023.
Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.
Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 3BH020 |
|---|---|
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February |
| Additional Entry Requirements | All domestic applicants must apply via SATAC (www.satac.edu.au). The Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) Admissions Guide details important information regarding the entry requirements for entry at the University of Adelaide. All applicants are advised to read the Guide. Failure to read this document will not be grounds for special consideration. Humanitarian Entry Pathway: This degree has allocated a number for places for applicants who originally entered Australia on a Refugee/Humanitarian Visa. Further information regarding how to apply via the Humanitarian Entry Pathway is available in the Admissions Guide. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway: This degree has allocated a number of places for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. Further information regarding how to apply via the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway is available in the Admissions Guide.Please contact the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Student Support Officer via email at fhms.sso@adelaide.edu.au to discuss your interest in applying. |
Selection Criteria
| Higher Education Study | Please note: applications for this program for 2024 entry closed via SATAC on Monday 16 October 2023. Applicants must have a completed Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited three year Psychology undergraduate degree (or equivalent such as an APAC accredited Graduate Diploma of Psychology) with an overall GPA of 5 or over. For information on accreditation, please see: https://www.psychologycouncil.org.au/ Applicants who have an overseas qualification must supply a certified copy of the assessment of their qualifications by the Australian Psychological Society (APS). Information on having your qualification assessed by APS can be found at: https://www.psychology.org.au/About-Us/What-we-do/Assessing-overseas-qualifications Applicants will be ranked for an offer based on academic performance in psychology courses taken at Level II and Level III. Entry to this degree is competitive and strict intake numbers apply. |
|---|---|
| Other Entry Pathways | |
Fees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees |
Commonwealth-supported place: $8,945
|
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
More information on Student Contribution Amounts.
Scholarships
These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.
Careers
Career Readiness
Psychology prepares graduates for a range of exciting careers that require superior problem-solving, critical thinking and understanding of human behaviour, such as:
- human resource management
- advertising and marketing
- evaluation and applied research
- mental health services
- youth work
- family and social services
- public and private sector management
- juvenile justice and corrective services
- relationship counselling
- residential care worker
- private sector administration and management
- correctional services
- Clinical psychology—specialising in the assessment, treatment and prevention of a wide range of emotional and behavioural problems.
- Health psychology—learning skills in illness prevention and treatment in public health settings.
- Organisational psychology—applying knowledge of human behaviour to the enhancement of organisational effectiveness, productivity and individual wellbeing.
- Clinical neuropsychology—specialising in the assessment and treatment of emotional and behavioural disorders associated with dysfunction of brain processes or head injury.
- Counselling psychology—helping individuals, families and other groups with issues related to personal wellbeing, interpersonal relationships, work, recreation, health and crisis management.
- Educational psychology—within schools.
- Sport and exercise psychology—helping individuals and teams develop the skills needed to enhance performance and enjoyment when participating in physical activity.
- Research/academic psychology—applying skills to the advancement and communication of knowledge relating to psychology.
- Geropsychology—applying practical knowledge of primary prevention strategies, clinical intervention and rehabilitation for older people.
A minimum six-year sequence of education and training in psychology is required for an individual to become eligible for general registration as a psychologist in Australia. The six-year sequence at the University of Adelaide begins with the three-year Bachelor of Psychological Science, then the one-year Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), and then with a two-year Master of Psychology or combined four-year PhD/ Master of Psychology. On successful completion of a Masters of Psychology degree, a graduate may apply to the Psychology Board of Australia and register as a psychologist.
The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Graduate Attributes
The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.- Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
- Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Professionalism and leadership readiness
- Intercultural and ethical competency
- Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
- Digital capabilities
- Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Professional Accreditation
Potential careers
Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:
Neuropsychologist; Clinical Psychologist; Organisational Psychologist; Counselling Psychologist; Educational & Developmental Psychologist; Psychologist; Sports & Exercise Psychologist; Health Psychologist; Mental Health Worker
Degree Structure
Part-time enrolment is limited. Students who are accepted into a part-time load need to complete all the coursework in the first year and the research component in the second year.
Due to accreditation requirements, it is not possible to offer a combined honours degree in Psychology and another discipline. At best, a student may engage a co-supervisor from another discipline, however the research component must be clearly psychological in nature (and the internal supervisor from Psychology must of course agree to co-supervision with someone external to the School).
Find out more about studying an Honours degree in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.
Academic Program Rules
The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.
Example Study Plan
PSYCHOL 4301 Research Methodology & Statistics
PSYCHOL 4302 Interpersonal Communication & Interviewing
PSYCHOL 4313 Applied Psychological Interventions & Research
Electives
PSYCHOL 4309 Contemporary Issues in Psychology 1
PSYCHOL 4312 Contemporary Issues in Psychology 2
Research Dissertation
Students must complete either:
PSYCHOL 4300A Honours Thesis in Psychology Part 1
PSYCHOL 4300B Honours Thesis in Psychology Part 2
OR
PSYCHOL 4311A Honours Psychology Research Project Part 1
PSYCHOL 4311B Honours Psychology Research Project Part 2
Assessment
Related Degrees
Testimonial
The degree has let me explore all of these facets of psychology I hadn't considered before. You really get to see the way psychology is integrated into the world more than you think.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
Last updated: Tuesday, 26 Mar 2024
