Course overview
Curious about how to apply the science of mind and behaviour to understand and promote mental health and wellbeing? Deakin's four-year Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) has an embedded honours year, distinguishing it from our other psychology courses. Honours includes practical training preparing you for provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and sets you on the pathway to general registration.
Specialise from year one with the only Victorian university to offer specialist psychology majors in an undergraduate psychology degree, allowing you to learn what you are passionate about sooner. 140 hours of professional placements provide valuable industry experience and strengthen your employment prospects. In your honours year, you will complete a group research project and learn advanced studies in counselling, psychological assessment, critical evaluation and research methods.
Do you want to become an expert in human behaviour, personality and emotion, and use those skills to help people?
Psychology is about understanding the underlying mental processes and factors behind human behaviour. This course will equip you with the skills and strategies to be able to help people, no matter which area of psychology you pursue. You will also learn from the best as we are ranked #1 in Victoria for psychology course satisfaction, teaching, facilities and undergraduate employment.*
This degree differs to our other psychology degrees such as the Bachelor of Psychological Science and the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), as it has an additional honours year embedded in the course. When you graduate, you will have the option of two distinct career paths – further study in pursuit of general registration as a psychologist, or employment in psychology-related fields that don’t require registration, such as:
- counselling
- social work
- youth work
- careers counselling
- life counselling
- mental health rehabilitation
- marketing
- social research
- human resources management
- developmental psychology.
The course’s Psychology in Practice units will ensure you graduate with work-ready skills and provide you with alternative employment pathways. Careers in psychology-related fields are always evolving, visit our careers page to discover the exciting range of careers that you could pursue.
You can pursue your interests early on with a specialist major in child and family, organisational studies or forensic studies. In addition to your chosen major sequence, you will cover a number of broad areas of psychology, including:
- behavioural and clinical neuroscience
- child and adolescent psychology
- cognitive psychology
- forensic psychology
- psychopathology
- relationships and the psychology of groups.
As a graduate, you will be eligible to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist, as well as APAC-accredited masters or doctoral-level training programs that lead to full registration as a psychologist, including:
- Master of Professional Psychology
- Master of Psychology (Clinical)
- Master of Psychology (Organisational) - plus one year of supervised practice
- Doctor of Psychology (Clinical).
You will also have the opportunity to develop your counselling and coaching skills through Applied Counselling Skills core units, and/or through one of our online postgraduate counselling courses.
Ranked in the top 200 in the world^, Deakin’s School of Psychology is one of the largest and most progressive psychology departments in Australia. The school has strong partnerships with industry, including collaborative activities with government agencies, public and private organisations, hospitals and other universities. These partnerships ensure your degree remains relevant to industry and workforce needs. You will be in high demand by employers who want graduates that are ready to face challenges with confidence.
Discover our psychology and mental health courses.
*Student Experience Survey 2021-2022 and Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-2023, Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT).
^2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2024 are closed.
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2025 close 16 February 2025
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
- Year
2025 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400315151 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400515151 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400615151 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS) - Deakin code
- H345
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Course structure
To complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), students must attain 32 credit points including:
- 4 credit points of Foundations of Psychology
- 8 credit points of Psychology Essentials
- 4 credit points of Psychology in Practice
- 2 credit points of Psychology course electives
- 8 credit points of Psychology Honours
Plus, either:
- 6 credit points of electives (psychology course electives or University open electives) OR
- 6 credit point psychology major
Students must also ensure that they have met the following course rules to be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours):
- a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
- a minimum of 6 credit points at level 3
- Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit).
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.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a place in the Psychology Honours program, students will have:
- Completed the first three levels of the course (i.e., they will have achieved 24 credit points)
- achieve a minimum of 65% in Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)
- achieve a minimum of 80% or above across the Psychology Essentials units (8 units including Psychology Research Methods (Intermediate)). Entry will also be determined by the availability of supervisors and resources.
The 80% cut-off may vary, depending on the availability of Honours places. Students who meet the selection cut-off, and successfully complete the Honours year, will graduate with one-degree H345 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours). Failure to meet the above WAM requirements will result in an alternative exit from H345 Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) with a degree of H344 Bachelor of Psychological Science provided the student meets the course requirements of H344. Students who have taken an alternative exit of H344 Bachelor of Psychological Science may apply for entry to the less competitive fee-paying alternative to Honours: H650 Graduate Diploma of Psychology. Students who do not wish to complete the honours year may also opt for the H344 Bachelor of Psychological Science alternative exit.
Karolinska Institute exchange students must enrol in HPS435X Research Project A (Karolinska Exchange) and HPS436X Research Project B (Karolinska Exchange).
24
Compulsory credit points
2
Psychology electives
6
Elective units
32
Total
Core units
Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2023 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2023 can refer to previous online Handbooks.
^ Foundations of Psychology unit
* Psychology in Practice unit
# Psychology Essentials unit
^^ Psychology Honours unit
Level 1 - Trimester 1
plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit
Level 1 - Trimester 2
plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit
Level 2 - Trimester 1
plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit
Level 2 - Trimester 2
plus two psychology course electives, electives or psychology major units
Level 3 - Trimester 1
plus two psychology course electives, electives or psychology major units
Level 3 - Trimester 2
plus one psychology course elective, elective or psychology major unit
Level 4 - Trimester 1
Level 4 - Trimester 2
Note: for Psychology Fourth year admission (Honours or equivalent), students are assessed on the weighted average mark (WAM) of Psychology Essentials.
Karolinska Institute exchange students must enrol in:
Major sequences
The following majors are available within the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
- Forensic Studies -Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong),Online
- Child and Family -Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong),Online
- Organisational Studies -Burwood (Melbourne),Online
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Elective units
Psychology Course Electives
Two credit points from:
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
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)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
Applicants who have completed an APAC accredited psychology undergraduate course or an APAC accredited psychology major should apply for the courses H452 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or H650 Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
Applicants who have completed an APAC accredited psychology undergraduate course or an APAC accredited psychology major should apply for the courses H452 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or H650 Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Registration as a Psychologist
The current requirements for registration as a provisional psychologist include the completion of four years of academic study of psychology that is recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia. The academic program usually consists of an approved undergraduate psychology sequence followed by an approved fourth-year of study, such as Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology or honours in psychology.
Following successful completion of an approved fourth-year of psychology study, you may apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) can lead directly to provisional registration provided the honours year is completed within this four-year course.
In order to gain full registration, provisional psychologists must then complete either two years of supervised practice, or a minimum two years of further study, which may include: Master of Psychology, Doctor of Psychology or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (with supervised practice completed outside the degree).
Note: This course is currently accredited as at the date of publishing.
Alternative exit
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
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. Refer the relevant unit guide.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Work experience
As part of this course you will have the option of undertaking 140 hours of industry placement through elective units, and our core employability-orientated units ensure you graduate work-ready. Applied Counselling Skills core units also allow you to develop your counselling and coaching skills.
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.
If you don't meet the academic entry requirements as outlined in the tabs below, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) Multiple Choice (MC) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.
Academic requirements
Current or recent secondary education
If you're currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
Year 12 prerequisite subjects
- Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
ATAR
- Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent
Higher education
If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
- successful completion of at least two bachelor level or above units (AQF Level 7 or equivalent)
Vocational education
If you have undertaken any Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, you will need to meet at least one of following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:
- completion of a certificate IV or higher in a related discipline
- completion of a diploma or higher in any discipline
- at least 50% completion of a diploma or higher in a related discipline
Work and life experience
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago, or did not finish Year 12, and haven’t undertaken any further study, you may be considered for admission to this degree based on your work, volunteer and/or life experience.
Submit a personal statement outlining your motivation to study, previous education and employment history, and how this course can assist your career aspirations or progression. Think of it as a job application cover letter – it should be relevant and demonstrate your commitment and interest in this course or study area.
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 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 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)
Selection adjustments
Subject adjustment
A study score of 35 in Biology, Health and Human Development, any Mathematics or Psychology equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in Biology, Health and Human Development, any Mathematics or Psychology equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
Access and equity
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enable Deakin to consider disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and the impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you’re from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin’s special entry access schemes.
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. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2024 students (PDF, 793KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
Please note that a maximum of five credit points can be granted for Psychology core units.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose, as each unit has its own cost. 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 time it takes to complete 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 8 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 fees and available payment options on our Current students fees website.
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 for Trimester 1, 2025 are open. We've helped over 300,000 Deakin graduates across Australia and throughout the world apply with confidence. In Year 12? Follow these how to apply steps. Completed secondary education in or prior to 2021? Follow these how to apply steps.
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
You can apply for this course through the Indigenous Access Scheme, which recognises the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and considers the skills, experience and community work that prepares you for study. We look beyond your ATAR and academic results so we can reward your hard work with a place at university.
Pathways
View pathways into the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) with our pathways finder.
Once you have successfully completed this course, if you are interested in further study and pursing general registration as a registered psychologist, you may be eligible to apply for an accredited program such as the Master of Professional Psychology, Master of Psychology (Clinical), Master of Psychology (Organisational), or Doctor of Psychology (Clinical).
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Monday - Friday
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Want a degree that’s more than just a qualification? Our industry connections, world-class facilities and practical approach to learning are just some of the reasons why Deakin students graduate confident and ready to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow.
Career outcomes
When you graduate, you will have the option of two distinct career paths – further study in pursuit of general registration as a psychologist, or employment in psychology-related fields that don’t require registration.
A psychology qualification can prepare you for many diverse, exciting career paths. If your passion is not to complete further study to become a registered psychologist, there are still many diverse career options available, including:
- careers counselling
- child protection
- counselling
- developmental psychology
- family support
- human resources management
- human services
- life counselling
- marketing and communications
- mental health rehabilitation
- not-for-profit aid
- public health
- social research.
Additional qualifications may be required for some of the careers listed here, you can find out more about roles and responsibilities, skills, qualifications and experience here.
If you are ready to take your psychology career further, the option to become a fully registered psychologist is available to graduates from this course by undertaking a masters or doctorate qualification in psychology. If you choose to pursue general registration as a psychologist, you may find employment in a variety of roles, including:
- 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.
The contexts in which you work may include:
- private clinics and practices
- public and private hospitals
- business corporate organisations
- schools and universities
- government departments and agencies
- community sporting clubs and institutes
- various social research organisations.
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 | Integrate theoretical knowledge of the discipline of psychology in relation to: health, social, cognitive, methodology, neuroscience, development, and personality. Demonstrate understanding of advanced knowledge (theoretical, empirical and practical) in the areas of psychological assessment, counselling, advanced research methods and research practice. |
| Communication | Communicate psychological knowledge and arguments effectively using the most appropriate means utilising clear, discipline appropriate, coherent and well-developed communication skills. Convey complex psychological knowledge and ideas to laypeople and professionals. Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding. |
| 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 | Identify and critique the factors that contribute to the development of unhealthy mental processes and behaviours, develop arguments, reports, or commentaries based on empirical research and apply the results to affect healthy behaviour change in oneself or others, and; apply the skills required to affect healthy behaviour change in oneself and in others in diverse contexts. Competence in the design and conduct of research, and skills to critically evaluate, synthesise and integrate complex scientific evidence. Application of knowledge to assessment, counselling and case management to 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 | Engage in independent learning as a reflective practitioner to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology; and manage resources, timelines and other constraints to achieve high-quality and timely outcomes. |
| Teamwork | Collaborate and communicate psychological principles and practices effectively in interdisciplinary teams, in a variety of contexts with diverse ethnic and cultural partners and teams, to work and learn in a range of environments including communities of practice, research and professional practice. |
| Global citizenship | Embody the values and attitudes of the scientist-practitioner. 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, culturally sensitive, and inclusive manner. |