Bachelor of Psychological Science

Why study the Bachelor of Psychological Science at UNE?

Why study the Bachelor of Psychological Science at UNE?

The Bachelor of Psychological Science provides a thorough grounding in psychology. You study more Psychology units as you progress through each year of the course. This provides an opportunity to explore other areas of interest in the early years of your degree but achieve a thorough grounding in Psychology by the time you graduate. The result is a balanced education, as well as a specialisation in Psychology. The degree includes Psychology 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 course.

Students who have already completed a bachelor degree may apply for admission as a Graduate Entry student. This pathway recognises a student's prior learning and by maximising advanced standing provides a fast-track to gaining a psychology qualification. Graduate entry provides an accredited undergraduate sequence in psychology by completing a minimum number of prescribed and listed units in Psychology.

All students with sufficient grades are eligible for entry into our accredited fourth year programs.

Professional recognition: A three-year sequence in psychology that is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Graduates who have achieved sufficient grades in Psychology units are eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology.

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Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Psychological Science allows you to apply for employment positions that use psychological knowledge. Positions are available in a wide range of public, private and non-profit settings. Examples include human service organisations, employment agencies, counselling services, personnel management, market research, health and community services. For those who want to engage in more specialist work within psychology, depending upon your final grades, the Bachelor of Psychological Science can provide the entry requirement into advanced courses in psychology.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

1.5 or 3 Years Full-time
Up to 10 years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

2017 ATAR / OP

72.55 / 12

2018 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale

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

Official Abbreviation BPsychSc
Course Type Undergraduate
CRICOS Code 061357K
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
  • 1.5 or 3 Years Full-time
  • Up to 10 years Part-time
2017 ATAR 72.55
2017 OP 12
Fees CSP / International
Total Credit Points 144
Intensive Schools

In external mode, no core or listed units in this course have mandatory intensive schools, although some do offer optional intensive schools. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall:

(a) be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures); or

(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree from a recognised university in any discipline.

Assumed knowledge is any two units in English.

Recommended studies are any two units of Mathematics.

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.

Candidates admitted under rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 72 credit points of Block Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 24 credit points of specified advanced standing may be granted (including the degree on which admission was based).

Scholarships

The University offers a number of Faculty/College and country scholarships available to Australian citizens and permanent residents. For more information please go to UNE Scholarships.

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 Psychological Science in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall:
(a) be qualified for admission (see Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Rule and the Admission Undergraduate and Postgraduate (Coursework) Procedures); or
(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree from a recognised university in any discipline.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Candidates admitted under rule (b) shall be granted a maximum of 72 credit points of Block Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 24 credit points of specified advanced standing may be granted (including the degree on which admission was based).

Period of Candidature

For candidates admitted under Rule (a) the period of candidature shall be:
(a) three years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to ten years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (b) the period of candidature shall be:
(a) one and a half years as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to six years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (a) must pass units to the value of 144 credit points with not more than 60 credit points at 100-level and at least 54 credit points at 300-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.

To qualify for the award a candidate admitted under Rule (b) must pass units to the value of 144 credit points with not more than 12 credit points at 100-level and at least 36 credit points at 300-level. Candidates admitted under Rule (b) do not have the option of undertaking a Minor.

Program of Study

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

For candidates admitted under Rule (a)
Course Structure Credit Points
Core Units 60 cps
Listed Units 36 cps
Approved Minor 0 or 24 cps
Elective Units 24 or 48 cps
Total 144 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Approved Minor

Criminology

For candidates admitted under Rule (b)
Course Structure Credit Points
Block Advanced Standing 72 cps
Core Units 54 cps
Listed Units 18 cps
Total 144 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Bachelor of Psychological Science.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.

Course Aims

The Bachelor of Psychological Science provides an accredited three year undergraduate sequence in psychology. 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.

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate coherent 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;
  2. describe, apply and evaluate the different research methods used by psychologists and demonstrate practical skills in psychological research design, data analysis, and report writing using American Psychological Association (APA) structure and formatting conventions;
  3. critically evaluate psychological literature, question claims that arise from untested assumptions, and recognise the link between theory and practical application of that theory in the world;
  4. demonstrate effective oral or written communication skills in various formats (eg debate, group discussion, presentation) to share or impart psychological knowledge;
  5. observe 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
  6. demonstrate cognitive, technical and communication skills 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 a body of knowledge in psychology through the study of the 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). This knowledge will be taught in lectures, unit materials and online activities and will be assessed throughout the course with a range of different activities. 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).

Problem Solving

Most of the post-100 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.

Information Literacy

Through the writing of essays and research reports graduates will develop the skills with which to discover and process relevant information and to present it in a coherent fashion.

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 course 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 graduates to continue accessing new information as required.

Independence and Collaboration

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.

How to Apply

Domestic Students

All domestic students apply through the link below

For more information, click here

International Students

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International

For more information, click here

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