Study with us

Our psychology, counselling and mental health courses draw on the ‘human element’ – the ability to listen and empathise – with a focus on learning through real‑life opportunities. Enjoy flexible study options, unique partnerships and transition-to-work activities.

Psychology lounge – our online student support hub

As a psychology student at Deakin, our online lounge is designed to help you navigate your course and life at Deakin. It’s a place where you can choose your units and majors, contact student advisers, find out about school activities and connect with the Deakin University Psychology Society (DUPS).

As a fourth-year undergraduate or postgraduate psychology student, you may learn in our state-of-the-art, purpose-built cognitive neuroscience facility at our Melbourne Burwood Campus where you can use techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and electroencephalography. Our facilities will help you further your understanding of the human body and mind.

In your third year, we have a ‘Psychology at Work (Internship)’ elective unit where you can undertake a 140-hour placement in a psychology-related role. You must source a placement that allows you to display or develop your capabilities across eight key competency areas, including critical thinking, teamwork and problem solving. Some examples of student placements include:

• assisting with preparation of materials for workshops/training sessions designed to develop teams
• scoring psychological assessment tools
• placement with the Department of Human Services in child protection services
• assisting researchers with specific parts of a study and recruiting participants
• shadowing outreach workers in a community setting
• writing summary reports of meetings with clients
• assisting with development and delivery of youth outreach programs.

We have over 100 partner organisations that offer you the opportunity to experience real-life work situations across clinical, health, forensic and organisational psychology. We also encourage guest lectures from our partners to blend academic teaching with contemporary practice.

Our partners include:

Partnership psychology clinic placements

You can also take part on a placement at one of our joint psychology clinics. Our partnerships with health services include the Eastern Health Psychology Clinic and the Barwon Health and Deakin University Psychology Clinic.

Whether you're planning to land a job in the mental health field after your first degree, pursue postgraduate study to become a registered psychologist, or follow a research pathway; you'll be career ready.

Gain a different perspective by studying part of your degree overseas. You'll learn alongside students from your host country, while gaining insights into local organisations and practices. There are several options available, from short-term study tours to our immersive Global Citizenship Program. You may also have the option to spend a full trimester abroad, depending on your course.

Our psychology sequence is recognised by both the Psychology Board of Australia and the Australian Psychological Society. Find out how your studies and training can lead to general registration as a psychologist.

Are you a registered psychologist?

If you're already a registered psychologist, we offer a supervisor training program approved by the Psychology Board of Australia. The program is designed to meet the needs of registered psychologists who seek or wish to retain supervisor endorsement for supervising colleagues, students and others.