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. Topics of study include learning, memory, cognition, perception, motivation, life-span development, personality, social interactions, and abnormal psychology. The program also develops … 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. In the fourth year of the program, 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 including: 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.

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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Graduate Capabilities

For more information on Graduate Capabilities please click on this link

Program Structure

Students must complete 192 UOC when taken as a standalone program.

1. 96 UOC of PSYC courses (Stage 1 - 3)
2. 48 UOC Honours in Psychology (Stage 4)
3. 36 UOC Free electives (These courses can be taken from any Faculty of the University).
4. 12 UOC General Education courses

NOTE: This is a four-stage, full-time program. Students must enrol in a full study load of 48 UOC across each year of the degree. Only in exceptional or unavoidable circumstances will students be allowed to enrol in a reduced study load across any given year.

Disciplinary Component144 Units of Credit:
Free Electives36 Units of Credit:
General Education12 Units of Credit:
Excluded General Education Courses
Course Information Rule

Program Constraints

Maturity Rule

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:
Psychology (Honours) Degree Template

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

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

Internship, Placement and Exchange Opportunities

PSYC3361 Research Internship is an invite-only course available to students with a WAM > 80. Students may opt to go on exchange during their program.

Progression Requirements

Academic Standing
Students are required to achieve an average mark of 75 or higher in Psychology courses taken in any Stage (based on the first attempt result for each course). Students not maintaining this level of performance in Stage 1 will be counselled. Students who fail to achieve an average mark of 75 or higher in all Psychology courses taken in Stages 2 and 3 will normally be required to transfer to the Bachelor of Psychological Science (3435, Pass Degree).

Honours Entry
Entry into the fourth (Honours) year of this program is competitive, depends upon the availability of School resources and is subject to academic performance, based on your Psychology Average (Distinction minimum).
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

Students who do not achieve the Psychology Average will normally not be permitted to continue to the fourth (Honours) year of the program and will be required to transfer the Bachelor of Psychological Science (3435, Pass Degree) in order to graduate.

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

Associated Programs

Similar Program

Bachelor of Psychological Science - BPsychSc3435 - Psychological Science
Bachelor of Science - BSc3970 - Science

Related Double Degree

Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice - BCCJ
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) - BPsych(Hons)3798 - Criminology & Criminal Justice / Psychology (Honours)
Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) - BPsych(Hons)
Bachelor of Laws - LLB4721 - Psychology (Honours) / Law

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 Philosophy - MPhil2475 - Science
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 to become an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) (www.psychology.org.au).

Career Opportunities

Psychologist in clinical, correctional, counselling, educational, organisational settings; academic research; developmental disabilities and rehabilitation; ergonomics; health research; marketing; work health and safety; personnel selection; training; management; vocational guidance.

Additional Information

Definition of 'Science' courses

Table 1

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:

Domestic Students
Commonwealth Supported Students (if applicable)
International Students

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)
Pre-2019 Handbook Editions