Key facts
1 year full-time
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Gain an insight into why people think, feel and behave the way they do. After a solid foundation in the elements of human behaviour, your Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) year allows you to pursue a career as a psychologist, and prepare yourself for postgraduate study.
Do you want to learn from industry professionals and begin a rewarding psychology career?
During your honours year, you will get the chance to build on your relevant undergraduate degree and learn an extended range of psychological assessment methods, as well as gain an understanding of the process of formulating psychological opinion in casework.
The research and analytical skills you develop in your honours year will strengthen the quality of your research projects, and become indispensable tools in your future career.
Upon graduating, you will be eligible to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA). If you would like to pursue full registration, you can go on to complete two years of relevant work under the supervision of a registered psychologist, or complete a master’s or doctorate that includes work placement. Students wishing to become fully registered psychologists can then apply to continue their study by undertaking one of the following:
- Master of Psychology (Clinical)
- Master of Psychology (Organisational)
- Master of Professional Psychology
- Doctor of Psychology (Clinical).
Course information
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- H452
- CRICOS code?
- 022030A Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Waterfront (Geelong)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) students must attain 8 credit points.
Psychology Honours consists of two components: coursework and a thesis.
The coursework component (consisting of classes and seminars) contributes 50% to the final grade of Honours awarded. part-time students must complete the coursework component in the first year of their course. As required by the accreditation guidelines of the Australian Psychological Society, the coursework covers:
- research methods;
- issues in psychological assessment; and
- Applied Counselling Skills (Advanced)
For further details of the coursework component, see the unit description for HPS431, HPS432, HPS433 and HPS434
The thesis component (see HPS435 and HPS436) contributes 50% to the final grade of honours awarded. The thesis is a write-up of an individual research project based on an original piece of empirical research. A range of types of data (qualitative, quantitative, subjective, objective) and a range of data-collection settings and methodologies can be used as the basis of the thesis component. The Fourth Year Thesis consists of four components:
Research Project A in Trimester 1
1. Thesis literature review draft (1500-2000 words; 0% hurdle assessment)
2. Thesis proposal presentation (10-minute oral presentation; 0% hurdle assessment)
Research Project B in Trimester 2
3. Thesis poster (A0 research poster; 0% hurdle assessment)
4. Thesis (5500-6000 words; 4 credit points; 100%).
Students are encouraged to attend the annual School Fourth Year Conference online.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.
Karolinska Institute exchange students must enrol in HPS435X Research Project A (Karolinska Exchange) and HPS436X Research Project B (Karolinska Exchange).
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Core units
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Karolinska Institute exchange students must enrol in:
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Mandatory student checks
There are no mandatory student checks required for this course.
Workload
You should be able to commit 35 hours a week to your honours degree.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
Not applicable
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Please note, there are limited places in this course and entry is competitive. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. Applications for this course may close prior to the published closing date if all places are filled.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet the following criteria based on the type of applicant you are:
Internal applicants (current or recent Deakin University student):
- completion of a bachelor degree from Deakin University with an approved three-year major sequence in psychology, with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in Research Methods B and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 psychology core units
- completion of a Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science or Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies from Deakin University, with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in Research Methods B and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 psychology core units
Note: Applicants will be ranked on the basis of the marks achieved in the level-2 and level-3 HPS core units completed at Deakin University. This rank may also take into account marks achieved for level-2 or level-3 psychology core units (or their equivalent) completed at another institution and for which the applicant received recognition of prior learning from Deakin University.
External applicants (not a current or recent Deakin University student):
- completion of a bachelor degree (with an APAC accredited three-year major sequence in psychology), with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in a level three psychology research methods unit and a minimum average of 75% over all level-2 and level-3 psychology core units
- completion of a Foundation Level 1 APAC accredited psychology course or equivalent (for example: a 1 year bridging course - Graduate Diploma of Psychology), with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in level three psychology research methods unit and a minimum average of 75% over all level-2 and level-3 psychology core units
Indigenous Entry Stream (recognised as an Indigenous Australian):
- completion of a bachelor degree (with an APAC accredited three-year major sequence in psychology), with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in a level three psychology Research Methods unit and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 psychology core units
- completion of a Foundation level 1 APAC accredited psychology course or equivalent (for example: a 1 year bridging course - Graduate Diploma of Psychology) with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in level three psychology Research Methods unit and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 psychology core units
For more information on the Indigenous Entry Scheme including eligibility and how to apply, visit the Indigenous Entry Scheme page.
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in any other English
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about international student fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, visit the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Pathways
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs.
Careers
Career outcomes
Upon graduation, if you choose not to continue with further study in psychology, your possible career options include work in:
- hospitals and clinics
- mental health organisations
- community support services
- human resources
- marketing and social research
- corrective services
- policy development
- justice and advocacy systems.
If you choose to continue studying to pursue full registration as a psychologist, you may find employment in a variety of settings such as:
- clinical psychologist
- cognitive neuroscientist
- counsellor
- criminal psychologist
- educational and developmental psychologist
- family therapist
- forensic psychologist
- health and community psychologist
- mental health officer
- organisational psychologist
- rehabilitation counsellor
- sport and exercise psychologist
- youth psychologist.
Professional recognition
This course is recognised for registration purposes by the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) and is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). As a graduate, you will be eligible to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist and for entry to APAC accredited master or doctoral level training programs that lead to registration as a psychologist.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate understanding of advanced knowledge (theoretical, empirical and practical) in the areas of psychological assessment, counselling, advanced research methods and research practice. |
| Communication | Demonstrate clear written and oral communication skills in order to convey complex psychological knowledge and ideas to laypeople and professionals. |
| Digital literacy | Apply advanced skills to select appropriate digital tools to source, interpret, adapt, collate, analyse and disseminate discipline specific information in psychology to a variety of audiences relevant to pre-professional practice of psychology. |
| Critical thinking | Competence in the design and conduct of research, critically evaluate, synthesise and integrate complex scientific evidence, and apply this knowledge to assessment, counselling and case management that demonstrate evidence-based pre-professional practice in the field of psychology. |
| Problem solving | Respect and use critical and creative thinking, sceptical inquiry and the scientific approach to solve problems related to research and applied skills (psychological assessment, counselling and case-management) in the field of psychology. |
| Self-management | Display high level self-management through reflection, continual improvement and learning that reinforces the importance of responsibility and accountability for pre-professional development in the field of psychology. |
| Teamwork | Communicate effectively in a variety of formats and in a variety of contexts with diverse ethnic and cultural partners and teams. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate, report and apply ethical principles to understand how to work productively in the field of psychology within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts by collaborating and communicating in a self-reflective and culturally sensitive manner. |