Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
How do we think and learn? How do we control our movements and behaviour? What makes us tick? Exploration of the human mind and behaviour is a fascinating field and this degree is an equally fascinating educational journey into behaviour, cognition, and psychological principles and theory.
We have designed our Bachelor of Psychological Science to be a rich, flexible, and highly engaging learning experience. It will shed light on how humans work, individually and in sociocultural groups, and will take you inside your own head –to develop a deep and real understanding of your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviour. It will take you across many different fields of psychological practice –many you will never have considered. You will be working with an academic team comprising active researchers publishing their work in international journals.
This degree will help you develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as proficiency in research and statistics, all of which will inform your ability to apply scientific approaches in professional settings as well as enhancing your understanding of yourself and of the world.
How do we think and learn? How do we control our movements and behaviour? What makes us tick? Exploration of the human mind and behaviour is a fascinating field and this degree is an equally fascinating educational journey into behaviour, cognition, and psychological principles and theory.
We have designed our Bachelor of Psychological Science to be a rich, flexible, and highly engaging learning experience. It will shed light on how humans work, individually and in sociocultural groups, and will take you inside your own head –to develop a deep and real understanding of your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviour. It will take you across many different fields of psychological practice –many you will never have considered. You will be working with an academic team comprising active researchers publishing their work in international journals.
This degree will help you develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as proficiency in research and statistics, all of which will inform your ability to apply scientific approaches in professional settings as well as enhancing your understanding of yourself and of the world.
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
Applicants will not be considered for admission on the basis of having fully or partially completed a Certificate III (AQF Level 3) or a Certificate IV (AQF Level 4).
Students admitted with a completed Bachelors degree will be required to complete all core units.
| Country | Score |
|---|---|
| Austria AMC | 3.4 |
| Bangladesh HSC | 3.6 |
| Brazil SSLC | 8.2 |
| Canada High School OSSD | 50 |
| Chile PSU | 6.4, overall 600-649 |
| China Gao Kao | 449 |
| Colombia CB (NAT) | 81, overall 300-349 |
| Denmark USSLE | 6.2 |
| France FB | 11 |
| German Abitur | 3 |
| Hong Kong HKDSE | 14 |
| India CBSE (best 4) | 8.5 in external exam |
| India CISCE | 71 |
| India Higher Secondary School Certificate (best 4) | 78 academic subjects |
| Indonesia SMA | 8.2 |
| International Baccalaureate | 24 |
| Japan USSLC | 4 |
| Korea, Republic of, CSAT | 298 |
| Malaysia ICSSUEC | 71 |
| Malaysia STPM | 5 (3 A levels) |
| Nepal Higher Secondary Education Certificate | 73 |
| Nepal Proficiency Certificate | 82 |
| Norway GPA | 1.5 |
| Pakistan HSSC Humanities and Science streams | 77 |
| Pakistan HSSC Pre-Eng and Pre-Med streams | 31 |
| Papua New Guinea HSC (best 5) | 2.5 pass Eng & Math |
| Peru OCSE | 17 |
| Phillipines NSAT | 89 |
| Russia FCCSE | 4.3 |
| Saudi Arabia MESSLC | 83 |
| Singapore SCGCE | 15.5 |
| Spain SSSD | 8.2 |
| Spain STBPU | 7.5 |
| Sri Lanka GCE | 4.5 |
| Sweden SSLC | 13 |
| Taiwan GSAT | 54 |
| Taiwan Senior High School Certificate | 87 |
| Thailand CSE | (Matayom 6) 1.9 |
| Turkey HSD | 4 |
| UK Board GCE A Levels | 13 |
| USA SAT & ACT | SAT 1410, ACT 20 |
| Vietnam (in 4 subjects) | 7.5 Average |
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 6.0 |
| Listening | minimum 5.5 |
| Reading | minimum 5.5 |
| Speaking | minimum 5.5 |
| Writing | minimum 5.5 |
The course covers analytical skills in solving individual, interpersonal, and community-wide problems. Core topics include the biological bases of behaviour, social psychology, learning and memory, cross-cultural psychology, abnormal psychology, as well as research design, interpretation of research findings, and statistical methods.
The structure encompasses basic theory to application, with a strong emphasis on acquisition of an understanding of the scientific principles leading to effective professional practice. Some units involve applied skills (e.g. personal reflection, demonstration of testing methods and other assessment techniques, and methods for facilitating behaviour change) while others emphasise areas in experimental psychology, statistics, and research methods.
This degree also has flexibility that allows you to combine subjects from diverse disciplines across the University. You can choose elective units or a group of units in a shared major as part of your Bachelor of Psychological Science.
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Online | Term 1, Term 3 |
International students
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Term 1, Term 3 | $29,360 ($3,670 per unit) | 071464B |
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 | $29,360 ($3,670 per unit) | 071464B |
| Online | Term 1, Term 3 | $29,360 ($3,670 per unit) | N/A |
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Psychological Science, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Units | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH1004 | The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1001 | Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1009 | Introducing Health Psychology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1002 | Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1010 | Positive Psychology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2001 | Psychological Assessment | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2005 | Psychological Investigation I | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3001 | Social Psychology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3003 | Learning and Memory | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| STAT2002 | Quantitative Methods in Psychology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| STAT3001 | Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2002 | Understanding Psychological Diagnoses | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2004 | Lifespan Psychology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3004 | Biological Psychology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3005 | Culture and Psychology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3002 | Psychological Investigation II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Students can select either the Psychology Extension Major OR one university shared major (excluding the Psychology shared major) OR 8 elective units from university wide offerings. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.
Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Available | Notes | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award | ||||||||||||||||||||
First Year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH1004 | The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar | Term1,3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Elective OR Shared Major Unit | ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1002 | Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation | Term2,5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1009 | Introducing Health Psychology | Term2,4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1001 | Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Elective OR Shared Major Unit | ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1010 | Positive Psychology | Term4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Elective OR Shared Major Unit | ||||||||||||||||||||
Second Year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| STAT2002 | Quantitative Methods in Psychology | Term1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Elective OR Shared Major Unit | ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2001 | Psychological Assessment | Term2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2005 | Psychological Investigation I | Term2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2004 | Lifespan Psychology | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Elective OR Shared Major Unit | ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2002 | Understanding Psychological Diagnoses | Term4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Elective OR Shared Major Unit | ||||||||||||||||||||
Third Year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3004 | Biological Psychology | Term1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Elective OR Shared Major Unit | ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3001 | Social Psychology | Term2,5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Elective OR Shared Major Unit | ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3003 | Learning and Memory | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| STAT3001 | Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3005 | Culture and Psychology | Term4,5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3002 | Psychological Investigation II | Term4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Available | Notes | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award | ||||||||||||||||||||
First Year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH1004 | The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar | Term1,3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| HLTH1005 | Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health | Term1,4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1002 | Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation | Term2,5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1009 | Introducing Health Psychology | Term2,4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1001 | Psychology Foundations: Brain and Cognition | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1005 | Fundamentals of Career Success in Psychology | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC1010 | Positive Psychology | Term4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| WELF1003 | Counselling Theory and Practice | Term4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Second Year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| STAT2002 | Quantitative Methods in Psychology | Term1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PBHL1003 | Foundations of Health and Health Care Systems | Term1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2005 | Psychological Investigation I | Term2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2001 | Psychological Assessment | Term2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2004 | Lifespan Psychology | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2003 | Exercise and Sport Psychology | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2002 | Understanding Psychological Diagnoses | Term4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC2007 | Behaviour Change | Term4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Third Year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3004 | Biological Psychology | Term1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| WELF2005 | Case Management and Care Planning | Term1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3001 | Social Psychology | Term2,5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Elective Unit | ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3003 | Learning and Memory | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| STAT3001 | Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology | Term3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3005 | Culture and Psychology | Term4,5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| PSYC3002 | Psychological Investigation II | Term4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Comprehend and apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychological principles, theories, and concepts using a scientific, evidence-based approach. |
Demonstrate independence and integrity in scholarly inquiry and creative problem-solving in psychology. |
Demonstrate the capacity to evaluate evidence, tolerate ambiguity, recognise biases, and apply values and ethics necessary for professional conduct in psychology. |
Apply appropriate research and assessment methods in psychology. |
Apply knowledge and skills of psychology to meet personal, professional, and societal needs. |
Analyse and evaluate information, theory, and research in the discipline of psychology and apply academic literacy skills to communicate these in a variety of written and oral forms. Employ interpersonal and communication skills conducive to effective collaboration. |
Demonstrate a reflexive manner appropriate to a range of socially and culturally diverse people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. |
The assessment methods used in this course vary from unit to unit and may include written assignments, oral presentations, blog or journaling assignments, research reports, video or audio presentations, and collaborative research.
All core units in the Bachelor of Psychological Science are offered online and most on campus. All students have access to online workshops and a variety of teaching approaches including smaller group tutorials, online activities, and live classes.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Psychological Science can seek employment in health, social and disability services, human resources, youth services, corrective services, armed services, research agencies, in ‘big data’, education, and in a range of careers that require critical thinking and an understanding of human psychological factors.
This degree is also a pathway to the Honours year. Eligible graduates may apply a fourth year of study in the APAC accredited Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours. Completion of that fourth year of study is the minimal educational qualification to apply for provisional registration as a psychologist in Australia (conditional on undertaking an approved practice pathway).
Psychologists can undertake private practice and/or can gain employment in health, social, and disability services, youth services, corrective services, the armed services, research agencies as the CSIRO, in education, and in many other areas.
There are no compulsory placements in this course.
The course has Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accreditation for entrance into postgraduate training.
Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.
Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.
Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.