Handbook

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Overview

The purpose of Honours in Psychology is to enable students who have performed well at undergraduate level to deepen their knowledge of approaches, perspectives and traditions in psychology and undertake a significant research project. Honours is a means for connecting undergraduate study with supervised independent research by consolidating and extending … For more content click the Read More button below. Students conduct a year-long, 30 UOC major independent research project (completed under the guidance of an academic supervisor), and write a thesis based on the project. In addition, students complete 18 UOC of advanced-level core and elective coursework in both Term 1 and Term 2. The research project may be undertaken in most areas of psychology, such as: psychopathology, behavioural neuroscience, cognitive science, cognition and perception, forensic psychology, and social, personality and developmental psychology. The project culminates in a written thesis, which is assessed independently by two academics (neither of which is the student's supervisor). The coursework requirement includes content that encompasses history, professional ethics, evidence-based practice and advanced coverage of selected contemporary issues in psychology that reflect the expertise and research specialisations of School staff. The Honours year commences in late January/early February and is undertaken full-time over one year. Mid-year entry and part-time enrolment are not available.

Students conduct a year-long, 30 UOC major independent research project (completed under the guidance of an academic supervisor), and write a thesis based on the project. In addition, students complete 18 UOC of advanced-level core and elective coursework in both Term 1 and Term 2.

The research project may be undertaken in most areas of psychology, such as: psychopathology, behavioural neuroscience, cognitive science, cognition and perception, forensic psychology, and social, personality and developmental psychology. The project culminates in a written thesis, which is assessed independently by two academics (neither of which is the student's supervisor).

The coursework requirement includes content that encompasses history, professional ethics, evidence-based practice and advanced coverage of selected contemporary issues in psychology that reflect the expertise and research specialisations of School staff.

The Honours year commences in late January/early February and is undertaken full-time over one year. Mid-year entry and part-time enrolment are not available.

Program Structure

Students must complete 48 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

1. 18 UOC Coursework Courses
2. 30 UOC of Research Thesis Courses

Specialisation Requirements

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Sample Programs

To access sample program(s), please visit:

Honours Course Outlines

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

The number of places available for Honours varies from year to year and depends upon the availability of School resources.

Internal applicants

An internal applicant is a student who completes an APAC-accredited undergraduate (or bridging) sequence in psychology at UNSW the year immediately prior to commencing Honours. For example: a student completing at any point during 2020 will be considered an internal applicant for the 2021 Honours year.

The minimum requirement for eligibility for entry into the Honours year is to achieve a Psychology Average of at least 75.

For undergraduate bridging sequence students the Psychology Average is calculated based on first attempt marks for all courses completed (i.e., from PSYC5001 to PSYC5010).

For undergraduate sequence students the Psychology Average is calculated based on first attempt marks for psychology core courses common to all psychology programs / specialisations (see below); and the three highest first attempt marks of any completed Level 3 psychology electives.

Psychology core courses common to all psychology programs / specialisations: PSYC1001, PSYC1011, PSYC1111; PSYC2001, PSYC2061, PSYC2071, PSYC2081, PSYC2101; PSYC3001, PSYC3011.

NOTE:

Neither Level 1 PSYC electives nor psychology courses taken at another institution count towards the Psychology Average.

Completion of PSYC3371 Multivariate Data Analysis for Psychology, in conjunction with PSYC3001, is important as preparation for the Honours year. Students can take PSYC3371 as a Stream A or Stream B elective.

External applicants

The number of places available for external applicants (if any) varies from year to year and depends upon the availability of School resources.

The minimum requirement for eligibility to apply for the Honours year is to complete an APAC-accredited undergraduate (or bridging) sequence in psychology, with a Psychology WAM of 80 or better, within the last 10 years. Anyone with international psychology qualifications must have them assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) prior to submitting an application.

Limitations on Recognition of Prior Learning

For more information about admission requirements for various UNSW programs, visit the following website(s):

Domestic Students

International Student

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Progression rules are in accordance with university policy.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Postgraduate Pathway

Doctor of Philosophy - PhD1400 - Psychology

Master of Psychology (Clinical) - MPsychol(Clin)
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD1404 - Psychology (Clinical) / Psychology

Master of Psychology (Forensic) - MPsychol(For)
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD1405 - Psychology (Forensic) / Psychology

Master of Science (Research) - MSc(Res)2450 - Psychology (MRes)

Master of Psychology (Clinical) - MPsychol(Clin)8256 - Psychology (Clinical)

Master of Psychology (Forensic) - MPsychol(For)8257 - Psychology (Forensic)

Professional Outcomes

Accreditations

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible for associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) www.psychology.org.au.

Recognition of Achievement

University Medal

Honours Classes

At the completion of their Honours program students will be awarded an honours grading as follows:

Honours Class 1: mark of 85 or greater;
Honours Class 2 Division 1: mark from 75 to 84;
Honours Class 2 Division 2: mark from 65 to 74;
Honours Class 3 or Pass: mark below 65.

The calculation of class of award will be determined from the student’s weighted average mark for all of the courses (research-based and coursework) required for the program.

Please note that only PSYC4-coded courses will be included within an honours calculation.

Honours marks and gradings will be scrutinised at the School level to ensure consistency across cohorts. The Faculty will also review these marks and grades prior to the release of results.

Additional Information

How to Apply

The application process is the same for both domestic and international applicants, but differs for internal and external applicants.

Internal applicants should refer to https://www.unsw.edu.au/science/our-schools/psychology/student-life-resources/honours
External applicants should refer to https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/undergraduate/bachelor-of-psychological-science-honours

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) and Advanced Standing section below 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:

Domestic Students

Commonwealth Supported Students (if applicable)

International Students

Additional Expenses and Resources

Resources required by students will be articulated in Honours Handbooks and Honours websites provided by the School.

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Psychological Science (Honours)

4518

48 Units of Credit

Overview

Program Structure

Enrolment Disclaimer

Sample Programs

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Associated Programs

Postgraduate Pathway

Professional Outcomes

Accreditations

Professional Recognition

Recognition of Achievement

Additional Information

Program Fees

Additional Expenses and Resources

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions