ObjectivesThe Bachelor of Psychology at the Geelong campus at Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool campus is designed to enable students to complete a four year sequence in psychology that complies with requirements for probationary registration as a psychologist with the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria (PRBV) and also for associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS). It is comprised of the three-year undergraduate sequence in psychology and the fourth year Honours program in psychology which are currently offered separately. Students will normally complete the course in four years of full time study or nine years part time. Due to the stringent requirements of entry to an Honours year and the requirements for registration, students who do not attain the progression standards will exit with a three-year award, the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology). The undergraduate major in psychology is currently available to students enrolled in a three year psychology sequence within the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Management, Bachelor of Science, the Bachelor of Health Sciences, the combined Bachelor of Nursing / Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) and the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) degree, this last degree is offered only on the Burwood campus. The fourth year sequence (Honours in Psychology) is currently available to students at both the Waterfront and Burwood campuses.
Entry requirementsGeneral admission requirements for entry into undergraduate courses for international students at Deakin are summarised in the undergraduate admission requirements table. Some courses may have additional entry requirements. Students must also meet the undergraduate English language requirements.
Academic titleBachelor of Psychology (International Students)
Course descriptionFees and charges
Fee paying place - International (IFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the university does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fees for international students apply to persons living in Australia with Temporary Resident status, provided that there is no limitation on study and persons living abroad who are not Australian citizens and do not have Permanent Resident status in Australia.
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
* The 'indicative annual course fee' cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2009, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2009 can be viewed at http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/handbooks2009/search.php.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
You can work in a variety of settings including clinical, forensic, organisational, educational, health sport and many other specialist areas. The contexts in which you work may include private practice, hospitals, business organisations, schools, universities, government agencies, community sport groups and various research groups.
Course rules
The course comprises 32 1-credit point units including a minimum of 20 psychology units. At year one, two introductory units in psychology are taken (HPS111 Introduction to Psychology A and HPS121 Introduction to Psychology B). In addition students enrolled in the Bachelor of Psychology will take three foundation faculty units - HBS107 Understanding Health, HBS108 Health Information and Data and HBS110 Health Behaviour.
At year two, students typically take five units at a more advanced level (HPS201 Research Methods in Psychology A is a core unit, a minimum of four other units are selected from those on offer), together with electives to achieve 8 credit points for the year.
Course structure
Year 1
Trimester 1
HPS111 Introduction to Psychology A
HBS107 Understanding Health
plus two elective units
Trimester 2
HPS121 Introduction to Psychology B
HBS110 Health Behaviour
HBS108 Health Information and Data
plus one elective unit
Year 2
Trimester 1
HPS203 Cognitive Psychology A
HPS204 Introduction to Social Psychology
plus two elective units
Trimester 2
HPS201 Research Methods in Psychology A
HPS202 Child and Adolescent Development
HPS205 Behavioural Neuroscience
plus one elective; the recommended elective is:
HPS206 Psychology in the Criminal Justice System
Unit HPS201 is a core unit
Year 2 elective units
Four second-year elective units must be taken from the currently available psychology units listed above. The additional elective units at this level may include other psychology units, or students may choose to take complementary studies in other disciplines.
At year 3, students take an advanced unit in Research Methods in Psychology (HPS301) and a unit in Psychological Testing and Measurement (HPS309) together with at least three other third year psychology units.
Year 3
Trimester 1
HPS301 Research Methods in Psychology B
plus three elective units
Trimester 2
HPS309 Psychological Testing and Measurement
plus three elective units
Year 3 elective units
A minimum of three third-year elective units must be chosen from the psychology units listed below. The additional elective units at this level may include other psychology units, or students may choose to take complementary studies in other disciplines.
Trimester 1
HPS302 Pathways Through Adulthood
HPS307 Personality
HPS395 Clinical Neuroscience
Trimester 2
HPS303 Cognitive Psychology B
HPS304 The Social Psychology of Relationships
HPS308 Psychopathology
Year 4
Trimester 1
HPS425 Honours in Psychology Part A
HPS427 Honours in Psychology Part C
Trimester 2
HPS426 Honours in Psychology Part B
HPS428 Honours in Psychology Part D
The four units HPS425, HPS426, HPS427, HPS428 comprise the honours sequence in psychology. All four parts must be successfully completed before a result will be obtained. 8 credit points will be achieved at the end of the sequence.
Total coursework weighting at fourth year is 50%. The research thesis at fourth year is completed across the entire year and accounts for 50% of the total weighting. Attendance and presentation at the annual Faculty Fourth Year Research Conference and attendance at the weekly School Research colloquia are hurdle requirements.
Admission requirements - general
General admission requirements for entry into undergraduate courses for international students at Deakin are summarised in the undergraduate admission requirements table (194kb).
Some courses may have additional entry requirements.
Students must also meet the undergraduate English language requirements.
Advanced standing - general
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for advanced standing. You will need to provide your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your advanced standing.
Your advanced standing is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the Advanced Standing System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
How to apply
* Applicant Portal: Use our online application system to submit and track your application now.
* Apply through a Deakin International office: Fill out an application form and submit it to a Deakin International office.
* Apply through a Deakin representative: Take your application form to your preferred agent for assistance.
Tracking your application:
If you have already applied and wish to enquire about your application please refer to the relevant area through which you originally applied.
* If you applied online, log back into the Applicant Portal using your username and password.
* If you applied through a Deakin representative please contact your representative.
* If you applied through a Deakin International office please contact that office.