The aim of this course is to give a comprehensive overview of the discipline of Psychology. By the completion of the course, students will have developed a broad knowledge of psychology and its applications, including theoretical perspectives within the discipline. In addition, they will have a demonstrable knowledge of the range of core research areas that make up the discipline and an understanding of the methodologies and statistical techniques commonly used by researchers for information gathering and analysis. Students will be able to apply this knowledge when undertaking research activities in the core areas of scientific study and as a part of their Level 3 studies, students will be introduced to applied and professional uses of psychology, developing an appreciation of the social and cultural contexts of psychological research and professional practice.
Students who complete this course with a GPA of 5.5 or above based on their level 2 and level 3 core and elective psychology units will be offered a place on our Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) course which will prepare them for conditional registration as psychologists in Australia and for coursework and/or for research higher degree studies in psychology. Those who do not wish to follow these routes will have the opportunity to graduate with a highly marketable qualification that is universally acknowledged as indication of competence and achievement in understanding human thought and behaviour that can be applied in a variety of people-oriented vocations.
Students who have successfully completed the first year of the course, but do not wish to continue in the course may request to graduate with a Diploma in Behavioural Science.
Not everyone with a psychology degree goes on to work
as a registered psychologist. People with a psychology degree are
employed in a wide and diverse range of areas including (but not limited to)
youth work, disability, rehabilitation, mental health, career counselling,
social work, human resources, management, counselling, child development,
education, forensic, health and coaching.
Graduating with this degree will not allow you to call
yourself a 'psychologist'. This requires further study involving an honours
degree (such as our Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)- CC42), and
then an accredited Psychology Board of Australia pathway (for more details see http://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Registration.aspx).
Adding a fourth year of study will also prepare you
for research higher degree studies in psychology (either Masters by Research,
or a Doctor of Philosophy). These pathways involve undertaking a unique
supervised research project that provide you with the opportunity to develop
and consolidate your research skills, and apply them in practical, real-world
settings.
Duration | 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 144 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | BPsychSci |
AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2025
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Rank Threshold | SR 62 | ATAR 62 |
The Bachelor of Psychological Science is designed for those who wish to take an APAC accredited first degree in Psychology. The degree is highly valued in its own right by employers in a wide range of industry and commerce and services, but for those who wish to go on to become registered psychologists, this degree provides entry requirements for an accredited fourth year course in psychology such as the CQUniversity Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours).
Domestic students
O/P score Prerequisites: English (4, SA)
International students should visit www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information including English language requirements.
None
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | CV71 - Diploma of Behavioural Science |
Accreditation |
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Optional Residential School | Optional residential school for PSYC13015 Advanced Methods in Psychology |
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Click here to view all Residential Schools |
Not applicable |
Year | Number of Students |
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2024 | 608 |
2023 | 717 |
2022 | 820 |
2021 | 800 |
2020 | 793 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
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Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | ||||||
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | ||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | ||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | ||||||
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | ||||||
6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | ||||||
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | ||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | ||||||
KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | ||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | ||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 16 | Total credit points: 96 |
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Students who intend to apply for registration with the Psychologists Registration Board must be aware that they will be required to commence an Honours level qualification in psychology within 10 years of completion of their 3 year accredited undergraduate degree in Psychology.
Computing Requirements
It is a requirement of enrolment in this course that students have access to the CQUniversity website. Students may be required to undertake various components of study in the course using email and the Internet.
It is strongly recommended that students have access to broadband connection or higher in order to access online student resources that would include, but not limited to, e-mail, internet, video streaming, electronic assessment submission.
To satisfy the requirements of the award, students must complete 24 units/144 units of credit in accordance with the following:
o 24 psychology units of credit (4 units) at level one;
o a minimum of 30 psychology units of credit (5 units) at Level two, including PSYC12047 and PSYC12048;
o a minimum of 36 psychology units of credit (6 units) at Level three, including PSYC13015, PSYC13017 and PSYC13020;
o a total of 72 units of credit (12 units) at Level two and three psychology combined
N.B. If a student takes only the minimum 5 psychology units at level 2, they must take 7 units at level 3 in order to make the full load of 12 psychology units at Level 2 and 3.
Except with the approval of the Head of Course, all students must satisfy all unit prerequisites shown on the Unit in the Handbook.
After completing three years of full-time studies or equivalent within this course, students who have satisfied the above criteria for the first three levels (including the required electives) and have a GPA of 5.5 or above for Level 2 and Level 3 core and elective psychology units, will have the option to enrol in our Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons) course. For the purposes of entry into Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) course, calculation of GPA will be based on the best 12 accredited psychology units at Level 2 and Level 3 (adhering to the requirements outlined above regarding number at 2nd and 3rd year and compulsory units). This offer applies only for enrolment in the academic year following completion of the Bachelor of Psychological Science and students must register their intention to enrol within three to four weeks of certification of Term 2 grades.
Those eligible students who do not take up the offer will need to apply for a competitive place for enrolment in future years.
Compulsory Core Psychology Units
Level Two Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 3 from the following units: | ||
PSYC12010 | Psychology Across the Lifespan | |
PSYC12013 | Personality | |
PSYC12012 | Physiological Psychology | |
PSYC12014 | Critical Social Psychology |
Level Three Units
Available units | ||
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Students must complete 3 from the following units: | ||
PSYC13016 | Cognitive Psychology | |
PSYC13023 | Educational Psychology | |
PSYC13021 | Forensic Psychology | |
PSYC13022 | Learning & Behaviour Modification | |
PSYC13024 | Qualitative Research Methodology |
NOTE: To meet the course’s psychology study requirements of a total of 72 units of credit (12 units) at Level two and three as detailed above, students must undertake 1 additional unit from the Level 2 or Level 3 unit options as listed above.
Number of units: 8 | Total credit points: 48 |
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Students undertake further study in 8 elective units (48 units of credit). Elective units may be chosen from the additional psychology units provided in this course or any undergraduate 6 credit point unit from CQUniversity provided prerequisite and corequisite requirements are met.
Credit Applications
Credit applications for units will only be granted where the units that form the basis of the credit application have been taken as part of a course of study in psychology offered by an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited academic organisational unit.
Refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit information on the CQUniversity website for further on the guidelines and application process.
Computing Requirements
Students will need to have access to a computer or equivalent device in order to complete their coursework. It is important that students have dependable access to the internet and a computer (or equivalent device) with hardware capable of video conferencing for online classes.
Students enrolled in this course will be engaged in many activities involving technology and the online environment, including video conferencing into online classes, completing assessments in word processing or presentation software, recording oral presentations, submitting written or video-recorded assessments online, completing online tests or quizzes, posting to online forums, and responding to emails.
Students should review their unit profiles to learn about any specific technology requirements for their coursework.
Group and Teamwork
One of the learning outcomes for this course is for students to be able to communicate effectively through a variety of approaches, individually and in collaboration with others. This learning outcome aligns with the foundational competencies we are required to develop in students as an APAC- accredited 3-year program in psychology. As such, students in this course will be required to demonstrate interpersonal skills and teamwork through assessment tasks that involve working in pairs or small groups with other students.
Students should review their unit profiles to learn about specific assessment requirements in each unit.