Bachelor of Psychology with Honours

Year

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Course Overview
Further Information
Course Rules & Plans
Course Outcomes

Why study the Bachelor of Psychology with Honours at UNE?

The Bachelor of Psychology with Honours is our premier course designed for high-performing students who are aiming for a professional career in Psychology. It is an accredited, integrated, four-year course that requires a high ATAR for initial entry. However you can also transfer to this course from other courses, such as the Bachelor of Psychological Science, with sufficient grades in first and second year Psychology. Completion of the course allows associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society and the process of professional registration to begin.

The first three years of the course build a foundation in Psychology, including units as diverse as Social Psychology (the study of human social behaviour), Biopsychology (the study of the brain), Psychological Assessment (conducting tests of human abilities and skills), and Psychopathology (the study of mental illness). In addition, an optional Minor in Criminology is available within the first three years. The fourth year is an integrated Honours year, in which you specialise in areas of study that match your strengths and career interests. The Honours year (which may be done part-time) includes components on psychological testing, clinical interviewing and interventions, ethics, research skills, and an elective reading unit. Students also complete a supervised research thesis.

Note: Applicants wishing to undertake a separate, end-on, fourth year Honours in Psychology should apply for either the Bachelor of Arts with Honours, Bachelor of Science with Honours, or the Bachelor of Social Science with Honours.

Professional recognition:

After completing this degree, you are eligible for associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society and provisional registration as a psychologist.

Graduates with First Class or Second Class (Division 1) Honours are eligible to apply for the Master of Psychology (Clinical) or Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Career Opportunities

Positions in professional practice as a psychologist, business psychology, human resource management, social research, policy advising, university research and teaching.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

4 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

2017 ATAR / OP

86.25 / 8

2018 STUDY OPTIONS

Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 1, On Campus
Trimester 2, Online
Trimester 2, On Campus
Trimester 3, Online

Official Abbreviation

BPsych(Hons)

Course Type

Undergraduate

CRICOS Code

020173B

Commencing

Location	Admission Period	Mode of Study
Armidale	Trimester 1	Online
Armidale	Trimester 1	On Campus
Armidale	Trimester 2	Online
Armidale	Trimester 2	On Campus
Armidale	Trimester 3	Online

Course Duration

4 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

2017 ATAR

86.25

2017 OP

Fees

CSP / International

Total Credit Points

192

Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools will be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures).

Assumed knowledge is any two units of English.

Recommended studies are any two units of Mathematics.

Students with previous studies in psychology must have achieved sufficient grades to satisfy the progression requirements of the UNE Psychology with Honours degree.

Practical, Clinical or Work Experience

Candidates may elect to include a work experience unit in their program. This component equips students with hands-on practical experience in the field with local industry and service providers.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Advanced standing shall not be granted for PSYC402H or PSYC403H.

Scholarships

The University offers a number of Faculty/College and country scholarships available to Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Academic Colours

Old Rose (BCC 157)

Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Bachelor of Psychology with Honours in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and the Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures).

Transfer from another Award

Students in another award may apply for admission into the Bachelor of Psychology with Honours provided that they have completed 96 credit points including PSYC200, PSYC202 and PSYC213 and met the current progression requirements. Students may apply for admission immediately after the completion of 96 credit points including PSYC200, PSYC202 and PSYC213 or within one teaching period following the completion of 96 credit points including PSYC200, PSYC202 and PSYC213.

Re-enrolment

1. A candidate who withdraws later than the census date from PSYC402H or PSYC403H but prior to two months before the submission of the dissertation, may with Head of School permission re-enrol in PSYC402H or PSYC403H in the subsequent year, provided that the topic of study undertaken within the dissertation is different from the original enrolment.

2. A candidate who withdraws later than two months prior to the dissertation's submission date shall be deemed to have failed.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.
Advanced standing shall not be granted for PSYC402H or PSYC403H.

Suspensions and Extensions to Candidature

1. For suspensions/extensions prior to the Honours year, see General Rule (21)f, and (43) to (49).
2. In the Honours year of candidature a student may seek an extension or suspension of candidature for up to 12 months. When a student then wishes to recommence their study at the commencement of the following year, they must confirm with the Fourth Year Coordinator their intention to return by the 31 October of that preceding year.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) four years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to ten years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 192 credit points with not more than 60 credit points at 100-level and at least 42 credit points at 300-level and 48 credit points at 400-level. Candidates who complete a Minor must pass units to the value of 24 credit points including at least 12 credit points at 300-level.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

Course Structure	Credit Points
Core Units	108 cps
Listed Units	36 cps
Approved Minor	0 or 24 cps
Elective Units	24 or 48 cps
Total	192 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Minor

Criminology

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Bachelor of Psychology with Honours.

Exit Pathways

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Bachelor of Psychological Science on completion of 144 credit points. Candidates who exit with the Bachelor of Psychological Science are not permitted to apply for re-admission to the Bachelor of Psychology with Honours.

Candidates who exit with the Bachelor of Psychological Science and who wish to complete honours in Psychology may be eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Arts with Honours, subject to meeting admission requirements.

Progression Requirements

1. To continue in the course a candidate must meet the following progress requirements:

A Credit grade in both PSYC101 and PSYC102;
At least three Distinction grades and one Credit grade in PSYC units at 200-level, one of these four units must be PSYC202;
At least six Distinction grades and two Credit grades in PSYC units at 300-level, one of which must be PSYC372.

2. Candidates who fail to meet these course specific progression requirements will be asked to show cause as to why their candidature should not be discontinued. Unsuccessful candidates will be discontinued and may apply to transfer to another course. Additionally, students that have discontinued the course or transferred will not be re-admitted.

3. Before enrolment in units PSYC421, PSYC422, PSYC423 or PSYC424 candidates must have completed 144 credit points including Core, Listed and Elective Units at 100, 200 and 300-level in accordance with minimum progress and program of study requirements.

4. Before enrolment in units PSYC402H or PSYC403H candidates much have successfully completed PSYC421, PSYC422, PSYC423 and PSYC424.

Classes of Honours

There shall be three classes of honours, namely First Class Honours (H1), Second Class Honours, Division 1 (H2.1), Second Class Honours, Division 2 (H2.2) and Third Class Honours (H3).
An exceptionally distinguished candidate who has been awarded First Class Honours may be awarded a University Medal.

The final class of honours will be determined on the basis of marks awarded for both dissertation and coursework with 50% allocated to each.

Calculation of Honours Result

The ratio of assessment components will equal the ratio of marks within the final grade. The calculation of results for each discipline can be found in the individual School's Honours Handbook.

Examination of Dissertation

1. The dissertation will be assessed by at least two examiners neither of whom will be the candidate's supervisor.

2. The disseration examination processes are described in the individual School's Honours Handbook.

Submission of Dissertation

Submission of the dissertation will be 39 weeks from the commencement of the trimester in which a candidate is enrolled.

Course Aims	The Bachelor of Psychology with Honours provides an accredited four year degree in psychology. In the first three years this involves a thorough grounding in the core areas of psychology, plus an opportunity to explore specialist areas, while also allowing the student to study other areas of interest. Students then complete an Honours program, allowing them to the proceed on to postgraduate studies, apply for supervision with a registered psychologist and apply for provisional registration as a psychologist, or otherwise undertake areas of employment requiring more than just three years of academic training in psychology.
Learning Outcomes	Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate advanced theoretical and empirical knowledge of the core topics of Psychology, including: abnormal psychology, biological bases of behaviour, cognition, information processing and language, individual differences, testing and assessment, learning, lifespan development, motivation and emotion, perception, social psychology, history and philosophy of psychology, intercultural diversity and indigenous psychology; describe, apply and evaluate the different research methods used by psychologists and demonstrate practical skills in psychological research design and data analysis; conduct studies to address psychological questions, including: frame research questions; undertake literature reviews; formulate testable hypotheses; operationalise variables; choose an appropriate methodology; make valid and reliable measurements; analyse data, interpret results, and write research reports using American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions; critically evaluate psychological literature, question claims that arise from myth, stereotype, pseudoscience or untested assumptions, and recognise and defend against the major fallacies of human thinking; demonstrate effective oral communication skills in various formats (eg debate, group discussion, presentation) to share or impart psychological knowledge; demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical and empirical bases underpinning the most widely used psychological assessments and evidence-based approaches to psychological interventions and apply the basic skills of psychological interviewing; evaluate and practise the principles of ethical behaviour in research and professional practice, in accordance with the Australian Psychological Society's Code and Guidelines, as well as the Australian 'National Practice Standards for the Mental Health Workforce'; and demonstrate a capacity for independent learning to sustain life-long personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology.
Graduate Attributes	Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will possess an in-depth body of required knowledge in psychology and have a well-developed understanding of the key principles, practices and boundaries of the discipline. This is ensured through the study of core units. Specialisation is then provided through a range of listed units at 300-level psychology, plus additional opportunity for studying in cognate disciplines in any area of the university (elective units). Further specialisation is then achieved in an individual research project and reading units at 400-level. Information provided within each unit embeds current global knowledge within the discipline of psychology. Communication Skills Graduates will have well-developed communication skills which are taught, assessed and practised through written assignments and face-to-face (or online equivalent) tutorial and laboratory sessions that are required in all psychology units (both core and listed). The development of this skill continues at 400-level with seminars and units in professional practice. Problem Solving Most of the 200/300-level psychology units include data collection in order to address an issue in the literature. The onus is then on the student to generate a research report providing a solution to that issue. This becomes a key focus at 400-level when an individual research project is required to address a specific empirical problem. Information Literacy Through the writing of essays and research reports students develop the skills with which to discover and process relevant information and to present it in a coherent fashion. This skill comes to the fore at 400-level whilst engaged in the individual research project and reading units. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Graduates will be taught to understand and practise the highest standards of ethical behaviour associated with the discipline. They will understand and be open-minded about social, cultural and linguistic diversity in Australia and the world, and appreciate their ethical responsibilities towards colleagues, research subjects, the wider community and the environment. The issue of ethics is explicitly integrated during data collection and a range of other activities within psychology units. Lifelong Learning All psychology units within this degree develop the student's skills in identifying and accessing information that is relevant to their needs, through both library searches and the internet. This skill empowers students to continue accessing new information as required. Independence and Collaboration Graduates will be encouraged to learn and work independently, and where appropriate, to work collaboratively. Graduates will have well developed group participation skills and the ability to work collaboratively achieved through on-campus and online interactive teaching strategies, where they will learn the importance of participating in discussions in a professional, respectful and ethical manner.