Program Outline

The four year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) program is designed for students who are committed from the beginning of their tertiary education to enter professional practice, or to undertake further study at a postgraduate level. In the fourth year of study, students are invited to select a specialist area of psychology in which to carry out a supervised research project. Places are limited, and entry into this program is very competitive, requiring exemplary academic performance at Year 12 (matriculation) level. A quota applies to the number of new students accepted into the program each year. A small number of places are available for students who wish to transfer into this program from other degree programs in which psychology courses are offered.

Program Structure

The first year seeks to provide an overview of psychology as a discipline and as a profession. The psychology courses undertaken in later years enable students to study the biological bases of behaviour; sensory perception; cognition and language; learning and memory; motivation and emotion; social psychology; developmental psychology; personality and individual differences; and psychology and mental health.

Since psychology is an evidence-based discipline, students will also have an opportunity to find out about the range of methodologies employed to collect and analyse data relevant to these various topics. In addition, students will become acquainted with cultural and ethical issues that may impact on the practice of psychology. In the fourth year, students will be invited to select a specialist area of psychology in which they may carry out a research project under the supervision of a member of the academic staff of the School of Psychology.

In addition to these courses in psychology, students will take elective courses in areas such as Humanities and Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Sciences, Economics, Commerce, and Mathematics and Computer Science. In the first year, three electives, other than Psychology, are undertaken per semester. In second year, students undertake half of their studies through the School of Psychology, and half through elective courses of their choice. In third year, students must undertake at least three quarters of their studies through the School of Psychology. Honours Psychology occupies all of the fourth year.

Related Programs

Bachelor of Psychological Science

Admission Information

Domestic applicants

Not a domestic applicant?

2009 CSP IB	41
SATAC Code	324051
2009 CSP TER	99.1
Annual tuition fees	Commonwealth-supported place: $5,310
Mid-year entry?	No
Enquiries	Student Centre

Selection Criteria

Students who have completed the required undergraduate program to a satisfactory level may be eligible to apply for the Honours program.

Year 12 applicants

You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER). Applicants who have studied Psychology IA and/or Psychology IB at the University of Adelaide (or equivalent) must have achieved at least a credit grade average for these courses.

Alternative entry pathways

• Higher Education applicants
  You must have completed at least half a year full time equivalent university study. You must not have graduated from ANY program with a Psychology major (Graduates with a Psychology major must apply directly to the University for an Honours place in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) Psychology). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Applicants who have studied Psychology IA and/or Psychology IB at the University of Adelaide (or equivalent) must have achieved at least a credit grade average for these courses.
• Special Entry applicants
  You must be 18 years or over before February 1st of the year that you will be studying, you must not have studied more than 2 years full-time equivalent higher education in the last 2 years and you must not hold a completed higher education level award. If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Personal Competencies (PC) and Employment Experience (EE) statements are not considered. Applicants who have studied Psychology IA and/or Psychology IB at the University of Adelaide (or equivalent) must have achieved at least a credit grade average for these courses. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme. See Wilto Yerlo for further information.

How to Apply

SATAC Code: 324051
Apply through SATAC SATAC application dates Application and Admission

International applicants

Not an international applicant?

International TER	95
IELTS Total	6.5 [more info]
Annual tuition fees	International student place: $24,150
Mid-year entry?	Subject to availability
Enquiries	Student Centre

Selection Criteria

Students who have completed the required undergraduate program to a satisfactory level may be eligible to apply for the Honours program.

Prerequisites

Relevant Bachelor's degree with high level of academic achievement

Equivalent Scores

International TER	95
IELTS Total Reading Listening Speaking Writing	6.5 6 6 6 6

How to Apply

Application information for international students

Important application deadlines for international students

International applicants applying with Australian year 12 results

Not an international applicant applying with Australian year 12 results?

International TER	95
Annual tuition fees	International student place: $24,150
Mid-year entry?	Subject to availability
Enquiries	Student Centre

Selection Criteria

Students who have completed the required undergraduate program to a satisfactory level may be eligible to apply for the Honours program.

Study Plans

The study plans given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

LEVEL I

• Psychology IA (3 units)
• Psychology IB (3 units)

Approved Level I Courses (18 units)

LEVEL II

• Doing Research in Psychology: Research Design, Methods & Analysis (3 units)
• Foundations of Health & Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3 units)
• Foundations of Perception & Cognition (3 units)
• Psychology in Society (3 units)

Approved Level II Courses (12 units)

LEVEL III

• Doing Research in Psychology: Advanced Research Design, Methods & Analysis (3 units)
• Health & Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3 units)
• Individual Differences, Personality & Assessment (3 units)
• Perception & Cognition (3 units)
• Psychology, Ideas & Action (3 units)
• Psychology in Society: Advanced (3 units)

Approved Level III Courses (6 units)

LEVEL IV

Honours Psychology topics & Research Thesis (24 units)

Career Opportunities

According to the Commonwealth Government Job Search Website employment growth for Psychologists to 2011-12 is STRONG. The range of jobs available to psychologists is also becoming increasingly varied.  Psychologists are employed in both the public and private sectors, and work in a variety of settings. Clinical psychologists are involved in meeting the needs of children and adults with mental health problems such as depression and drug addiction, and play major roles in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of people with disabilities and acquired brain damage. In business and industry, psychologists are employed in personnel selection, human resource management, job design and skills training, and product marketing. In the legal system, psychologists have skills relevant to criminal investigation and a range of matters examined within the court system and correctional programs. In schools and universities, psychologists assess students with learning difficulties, develop programs for the management of behavioural problems and carry out research into many aspects of human and animal behaviour.

Potential careers

Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Counsellor

Graduate Attributes

The principal aim of this program is to provide graduates with a comprehensive tertiary-level education in Psychology and related areas of learning. The program is also designed to enable graduates to meet the prerequisites for progression to Honours and postgraduate levels of study in this discipline.

Professional Accreditation

These programs have been accredited by APAC (Australian Psychology Accreditation Council)

Graduates who have completed this program will be eligible to apply for a further two-year postgraduate qualification. This sequence of study will lead to professional registration as a psychologist.

Further Information

Useful Links

• School of Psychology
• Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
• Australian Psychological Society