Get work-ready
Kickstart your career in the psychology industry with one of the largest psychology departments in Australia, and follow a pathway that will help you help others, every day. We collaborate with government agencies, public and private organisations, hospitals and other universities to provide you with industry-relevant courses. You'll be ready for the real world with a balance of theory behind the human mind and human behaviour, as well as practical placements beginning from your first year.
Undergraduate
Undergraduate (your first degree)
A Deakin undergraduate course is the foundation of your future career, usually completed in two to four years. Duration varies based on degree type, enrolment pattern and any credit received from recognition of prior learning.
Postgraduate
Postgraduate (further study)
A postgraduate qualification can be undertaken by students who have already completed an undergraduate degree or possess significant, demonstrable work experience. Postgraduate courses include graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, masters and PhDs, as well as specialist programs for industry professionals.
Research
Higher Degrees by Research (supervised research)
Research degrees are research based master’s or PhD programs that focus on a single area of expertise. They provide students the opportunity to carry out highly specialised research under expert supervision.
Learn more about our courses
Bachelor of Psychological Science
This course fully engages you in psychology study. In addition to core units, it allows you to choose from specialised electives to further refine your knowledge and expand your career outcomes. You’ll have the option to apply for further study (honours in psychology,) or the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced), allowing you to pursue registration as a psychologist. We also offer a Graduate Diploma of Psychological Science, which is equivalent to a three-year undergraduate psychology degree, for people who have already completed a degree in another study area. This 10-unit course covers the accredited major in psychology and is a pathway to honours.
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Similar to the Bachelor of Psychological Science, this course offers extensive psychology study with specialised electives. Additionally, it guarantees a direct place into a fourth year of psychology study, the honours component (dependent on academic performance). This course is the perfect starting place for those intending to become a registered psychologist.
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
This course allows you to pursue psychology as your central major, while also exploring your choice of other arts majors like anthropology, language and culture, gender and sexuality and many more. You'll have the option to apply for further study – which once successfully completed allows you to pursue registration as a psychologist – or apply psychology to a range of other career areas.
Graduate in demand with 301,000 new jobs by 2026
The healthcare and social assistance industry is the largest growing employment sector in Australia. It’s projected to grow by nearly 16% by November 2026 with 301,000 new jobs created.*
Professional recognition
With a Deakin psychology qualification, you can kickstart your career with professional registration or you can opt for additional study.
Our Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) are recognised for registration purposes by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
Bachelor of Psychological Science students can apply to undertake additional study (such as an honours year or the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)) in pursuit of provisional registration with the PsyBA, provided they meet the eligibility requirements (such as WAM) throughout their study.
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) students can gain provisional registration with the PsyBA, provided they meet the minimum requirements detailed on the course page.
Deakin recognises the importance of providing opportunities and first-hand experiences within the health field, which is becoming increasingly important.
Dinisha Parmar
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Psychology careers
A psychology qualification can prepare you for many diverse, exciting career paths. While some psychology graduates go on to become registered psychologists, many others will pursue roles in complementary professions or entirely different fields.
Careers in psychology-related fields are always evolving; there are plenty of opportunities to tailor your studies aimed towards specific areas you're interested in – including some you may not have considered.
With a Deakin psychology course, you’ll learn how to help people lead more satisfying and meaningful lives. The study of the human mind and behaviour, and understanding why we do what we do, is unique to psychology – making Deakin graduates highly employable.
You’ll develop sought-after skills and knowledge that can be applied in diverse and exciting roles across a range of industries, including:
- business
- community services
- counselling
- education
- justice system
- marketing
- mental health
- youth work.
You can also go on to become a fully registered psychologist, where you can secure employment in specialist areas of psychology, including:
- clinical
- forensic
- organisational
- educational
- health
- sport.
Who we work with
Studying psychology at Deakin gives you access to our wide range of industry connections and partnerships, including:
- Barwon Health
- Eastern Health
- FBG Group
- National Australia Bank
- Richmond Football Club
- People Measures
- People Scape.
When you study with us, we provide the unique opportunity to undertake a supported placement in a public mental health service.
Research with us
Our researchers are bringing evidence to light on everything from child developmental concerns (including autism and ADHD), ways of building better relationships, programs for tackling obesity, strategies for addressing addiction and violence, and ways to use new technologies to help those with mental illness. These are just some of our areas of expertise.
Discover psychology at Deakin
Careers in psychology – Storm’s story
Learn about how Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) helped Storm in her role as a Residential Care Worker for MacKillop Family Services. By studying psychology at Deakin, you’ll be ready to begin your journey towards becoming a registered psychologist, or pursue career opportunities in a variety of different industries.
Careers in psychology - Danielle's story
Learn about how Deakin’s Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) helped Danielle to prepare for her role at Ventia. By studying psychology at Deakin, you’ll be ready to begin your journey towards becoming a registered psychologist, or pursue career opportunities in a variety of different industries.
Careers in psychology - clinical psychologist
Hear from Dave about his journey to becoming a clinical psychologist, and how Deakin helped to prepare him for his work and research in men’s mental health.
Study psychology at Deakin
Students talk about their experiences studying psychology at Deakin.
Footnotes
*2021 Employment Outlook - for the five years to November 2026, Australian Government National Skills Commission.