Overview

Psychology is a discipline of both scientific research and applied practice. As a science, psychology is concerned with the study of behaviour and its underlying mental and neural processes. Students gain an integrated and comprehensive education in main discipline areas, including developmental, social, cognitive, biological, physiological and abnormal psychology. The … For more content click the Read More button below. Psychology has many areas of application, especially in clinical, correctional, counselling, educational, and organisational settings. In addition, people with training in psychology pursue careers in academic research, health research, developmental disabilities and rehabilitation, ergonomics, occupational health and safety, personnel selection, training, and management, vocational guidance, and marketing. The program allows students to complete an APAC-accredited undergraduate sequence in psychology across three years. The program is designed to allow students to complete a complementary major (in a related discipline where there is a professional and/or academic rationale that supports the proposed combination). Complementary majors available outside of the Faculty of Science include marketing, human resource management, management, criminology, linguistics and philosophy. From the Faculty of Science, students may choose a complementary major in neuroscience or vision science. Upon completion of this program students may choose to complete an additional fourth year program in psychology (Honours), subject to satisfying the entry requirements (refer to the Pathways section). The basic rules for the degree are set out under the Program Structure section of this Handbook. Students must ensure that they complete a minimum of 78 units of credit (UoC) in Psychology, a combination of PSYCxxxx core and PSYC3xxx elective courses (as defined under Program Structure). The remaining UoC may comprise of courses offered by the Faculty of Science or any other Faculty. Please consult the School of Psychology for detailed definitions of complementary majors and their appropriate program structures (refer to the Sample Programs section).

Learning Outcomes

1.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in the core topics of psychology.
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2.
Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to evaluate and apply research methods in psychology.
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3.
Develop and apply critical thinking skills that use logic, evidence and psychological science in understanding human behaviour and mental processes.
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4.
Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics in psychology.
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5.
Develop effective communication, interpersonal and leadership skills.
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6.
Apply knowledge and skills of psychology in a manner that is reflective, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
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Program Structure
144 Units of Credit:

Students must complete 144 UOC as a standalone program.

1. At least 78 UOC of Psychology courses
2. 54 UOC of Free Electives (see Complementary majors, below)
3. 12 UOC General Education courses

Complementary majors

In addition to their core study in Psychology, students may choose to use their Free Electives to complete one of the complementary majors listed below.

Please Note: Students wishing to undertake a complementary major in Neuroscience or Vision Science, or more than one major for their program, should be aware that it may not be possible to complete their program within 144 UOC (i.e., within three years of full-time study). This may involve additional time and cost and might have visa implications for International Students.

If you intend to do more than one major for this program, please consult the Program Authority (School of Psychology).

Students are encouraged to declare their major/s as soon as possible.

Level 1 Core Courses

Level 3 Core Courses

Level 3 Prescribed Electives List B

Free electives

Students who do not choose to complete a complementary major complete 54 UOC of Free Electives.

If a student uses their Free Electives to complete a complementary major, the remaining Free Elective UOC to be completed will vary depending on the major chosen, as follows.

Majors in:

- Criminology, Linguistics or Philosophy: 12 UOC of Free Electives.
- Human Resource Management, Management or Marketing: 18 UOC of Free Electives.
- Neuroscience: 0 UOC of Free Electives.

GEN# coded courses can only be used to fulfil the General Education requirement of the program (i.e., they cannot be used to fulfil the Free Elective requirement). Any exceptions to these rules must be approved by the Associate Dean (Academic Programs) or nominee.

General Education

Students must complete 12 UOC of General Education courses.

This requirement is satisfied for students who complete one of the optional complementary majors from outside the Faculty of Science.

Students not taking a complementary major must choose GEN# coded courses (excluding those with a GENS prefix), courses substituted for General Education, or a combination of both to fulfil the General Education requirement of this program.

Maximum Level 1 UOC

No more than 72 UOC of Level 1 courses (including 12 UOC General Education) will be counted towards the degree.

Level 2 Maturity Requirements

Students must complete at least 24 UOC of Level 1 courses before enrolling in Level 2 courses.

Please Note: Level 2 course PSYC2101 Assessment, Personality & Psychopathology may be taken in Term 3 of Year 1.

Level 3 Maturity Requirements

Students must have completed 72 UOC before taking any of the following courses.

Sample Programs

To access sample program(s), please visit:

Related Programs

Related Programs

Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) - BPsych(Hons)3632 - Psychology (Honours)

Related Double Degree Programs

Bachelor of Psychological Science - BPsychSc
Bachelor of Laws - LLB
4722 - Psychological Science / Law

Program Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning
Progression Requirements

Pathways

Honours Programs

Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) - BPsychSc(Hons)4518 - Psychological Science (Honours)

Professional Outcomes

Professional Recognition
Career Opportunities

Recognition of Achievement

University Medal
Award of Pass with Distinction

Additional Information

Science Handbook Rules and Editions

Students must follow the program rules and requirements in the UNSW Handbook published in the year they commence their studies with the Faculty of Science.

Students who transfer from another UNSW Faculty into Science (for example, from a Bachelor of Arts into a Bachelor of Science) must follow the program rules and requirements in the UNSW Handbook published in the year of their transfer.

Students who are readmitted to UNSW after a period of unapproved absence or deferment, or after exclusion, must satisfy the program rules in the Handbook published in the year of their readmission. In addition, these students may be subject to restrictions on which courses taken at UNSW may be counted on their return. In some cases, students returning from an unapproved absence may be required to repeat courses. See the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) section above for more details. Students who take approved leave or deferment will follow the Handbook for the year of their original commencement unless otherwise approved by the Associate Dean (Academic Programs). 

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)