Alternative pathways into a psychology degree
By Samira KambojPublished on
Don't meet the entry requirements for a psychology degree? Student advisor Samira Kamboj explains the alternative pathways available, how they work, and how to choose the one that's right for you.
Understanding entry pathways
If you’ve looked at a psychology degree and realised you don’t quite meet the requirements to apply, it’s natural to feel discouraged.
But there are several alternative routes you can take to get started that you might not have considered, and I’m here to tell you about them.
Psychology degree pathways at a glance
These are the main alternative entry pathways that are available, including some only available through Open Universities Australia. You’ll see there’s an option to suit you no matter where you’re coming from or what you’re hoping to achieve.
Your pathway option: | This is: | It suits you if: | It opens the door to: |
Open Access subjects | Subjects from a psychology degree that can be studied individually | You don’t meet degree entry requirements and want to try psychology first | A bachelor degree |
Undergraduate certificate | A foundational undergraduate qualification | You don’t meet degree entry requirements but feel ready to commit to psychology study | A bachelor degree |
Vocational study | A TAFE qualification, such as a Certificate IV or Diploma | You’ve already studied at TAFE or another registered training organisation | A bachelor degree |
Work and life experience | An entry option that looks at your years of work or life experience | You’re a professional without previous study | A bachelor degree or graduate certificate |
The entry pathways explained
Open Access subjects
This first entry pathway is only available online through Open Universities Australia. It involves enrolling in single introductory subjects from participating psychology bachelor degrees to satisfy the entry requirements.
How it works
You’ll study alongside students who are enrolled in the full degree and complete the same coursework to set deadlines. This gives you a realistic sense of:
what university expectations are like
how much reading is involved in psychology study
how online tutorials and class discussions work
whether psychology feels like the right fit for you
To complete this pathway, you need to pass a set number of Open Access subjects. This varies depending on the degree you’re aiming to get into, but it’s generally two subjects.
Pathway duration
If you complete both subjects at the same time, which is considered a full-time study load, you can finish this pathway in 10 to 13 weeks. This will involve about 20 to 24 hours of study time each week.
If you prefer a part-time study load, which means you'll complete just one subject at a time, you might spend up to six months in this pathway. Many students do this so they can ease in. This translates into about 10 to 12 hours of studying per week.
Where it leads
Once you successfully pass your subjects, you’re eligible to progress into the following degrees with participating universities:
A Bachelor of Psychology
A Bachelor of Psychological Science
A Bachelor of Arts with a major in psychological science
A Bachelor of Health Science with a major in psychological science
And these double degrees:
A Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science
A Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Psychological Science
A Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Economics
A Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Health Sciences
Explore psychology degrees that accept Open Access subjects
The other benefits
Loan availability: If you’re eligible, you can use a FEE-HELP loan to defer the cost of your single subjects, rather than paying upfront.
Credit: You may be able to receive academic credit for your subjects once you’re enrolled in the full degree. That means the study you complete can actually count towards the degree.
Flexibility: If you decide that psychology isn’t for you after a subject, you don’t have to continue.
I always recommend this entry pathway to those who might be feeling a little rusty with study, or who aren’t totally confident about psychology yet, because it gives you more wiggle room with what you do next.
The undergraduate certificate
This is my favourite option for people who feel ready to commit to a psychology degree, but just don’t quite meet the requirements. It’s a short foundational qualification made up of four subjects, which can be ‘stacked’ towards a bachelor degree.
How it works
You enrol in an Undergraduate Certificate of Psychology or an Undergraduate Certificate of Psychological Science.
These courses can have some very low entry requirements, such as completion of Year 12. There are some psychology undergraduate certificates that don’t have entry requirements at all.
Pathway duration
You’ll complete four subjects, which takes 6-months full time or longer part time.
Where it leads
Once you successfully complete your certificate, you’ll satisfy the entry requirements for a Bachelor of Psychology or a Bachelor of Psychological Science.
Explore psychology undergraduate certificates
The other benefits
Cost: Undergraduate certificates offer Commonwealth supported places, which means the government covers a portion of your fees. You can defer your part of the fees with a HECS-HELP loan (provided you’re eligible).
Credit: You generally receive credit for the four subjects you complete, meaning you will enter your first year of the degree already partway through.
Qualification: An undergraduate certificate is a recognised qualification. While you won’t be qualified to work in psychology, you can apply what you’ve learnt to other careers like marketing or human resources if you’re already working in those roles.
Vocational study
Vocational study can help you get into a psychology degree in two ways: you may already have a relevant TAFE or vocational qualification, or you may choose to complete one first as a stepping stone into university.
If you already have a vocational qualification
If you’ve already completed study at TAFE or another vocational provider, you may be able to use this as an alternative pathway into an undergraduate degree.
Many psychology bachelor degrees will consider vocational study at diploma level or above, though requirements vary by university and course.
If you want to complete a diploma first
You can also choose to study a diploma as a pathway into a psychology degree, though this is usually a less direct option than starting with Open Access subjects or an undergraduate certificate.
How it works
A diploma is a bigger commitment, usually made up of 8 subjects instead of 4 like in an undergraduate certificate. It can be a good choice if you want more time to build your confidence before moving into a degree.
To get in, you’ll usually need Year 12 or Certificate III. If you’re applying as a mature-age student, you may also be able to complete a personal competency statement or STAT test instead.
Pathway duration
Completing 8 subjects will take 1-year full time, or longer part time.
Where it leads
A Bachelor of Psychology or Psychological Science.
The other benefits
Subject mix: Some diplomas combine university preparation subjects with psychology subjects, so you can build study skills while getting an introduction to the field. The Diploma of University Studies (Psychology) is a good example of this.
A standalone qualification: A diploma will give you a more substantial standalone qualification if you decide not to keep going straight away. It can be used in some mental health careers, like counselling or community work.
Credit: Your studies can be credited towards a bachelor later, which will give you fewer subjects to complete in the degree – though it depends on the subjects you study.
Work and life experience
This entry pathway applies to mature-aged applicants who are interested in studying psychology, though you can take the other entry pathways I’ve mentioned as well.
You’re most likely to take this route if you’ve been in the workforce for years but never finished Year 12 or earned a qualification.
How it works
There are a few different ways universities will assess your suitability for undergraduate university study based on work and life experience.
You may be asked to:
sit a Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
complete a Personal Competency Statement, which involves reflecting on your unique life experience and why you want to study at university; or
apply for entry through an Experience Based Entry Scheme, which involves submitting a portfolio of evidence like your resume, academic records and written references from employers or your school
Where it leads
Most Bachelor of Psychology, Psychological Science and related qualifications will offer a work and life experience entry option, but it’s best to check the entry requirements on the course page to confirm.
You can also ask myself or another student advisor about this.
Explore psychology bachelor degrees
If you’re interested in postgraduate study
Because psychology is a regulated profession, alternative entry pathways into postgraduate study are more limited. This is especially true if you want to become a psychologist.
But if you already have professional experience, you may be able to apply for a Graduate Certificate in Psychology through a work and life experience pathway. This can suit career changers who have spent several years working in a related field, such as community work, youth work, teaching, allied health or research.
A graduate certificate can then provide a pathway into an APAC-accredited Graduate Diploma in Psychology. This graduate diploma acts as a psychology bridging course for people who already have a bachelor degree in another field and want to move towards psychologist registration.
Which entry pathway is right for your situation?
See where you sit on this checklist, and it should help you decide on your next step.
□ It's been a long time since I studied, and I'm not sure I'm ready for university again
Consider: Open Access subjects. They let you ease back into study before committing to a full degree.
□ I know I want to study psychology. I just don't meet the entry requirements
Consider: An undergraduate certificate. It's one of the most direct ways to qualify for bachelor degree entry.
□ I want to try psychology before I commit to a full degree
Consider: Open Access subjects. You can experience university study first and decide whether it's the right fit.
□ I already have a TAFE qualification
Consider: Applying directly to a bachelor degree. Your previous study may already meet the entry requirements.
□ I'd like to earn a recognised qualification before committing to a bachelor degree
Consider: A diploma or undergraduate certificate. Both can act as stepping stones into a degree while giving you a foundational qualification.
□ I've been working for years but don't have Year 12 or previous university study
Consider: A work and life experience pathway. Depending on the university, your professional experience may be considered for entry.
□ I have over five years of professional experience and want to study psychology at postgraduate level
Consider: A work and life experience pathway. Depending on the university, your professional experience may be considered for entry.
□ My goal is to become a registered psychologist
Consider: Whatever option gets you into an APAC-accredited bachelor degree with the least extra study. For most people, that’s Open Access subjects or an undergraduate certificate. But if previous TAFE study or work experience already makes you eligible, that may be the quicker route.
If you're still not sure, speak to one of our student advisors. We can look at your previous study, work experience and career goals, then help you identify the most suitable pathway.
What should you think about before choosing an entry pathway?
One way to firm things up in your mind is to open a Word doc or grab a sheet of paper and write down your answers to these questions.
What’s your career goal?
You don't need to have everything figured out yet, but this is a good place to start. If you're exploring psychology to see whether it's right for you, Open Access subjects let you test the waters. If you've already decided you want to work in psychology, an undergraduate certificate will help you start building towards a bachelor degree right away.How much time do you want to spend preparing for degree entry?
Some pathways are shorter, like Open Access subjects. Others, like a diploma, give you more time to build your confidence before moving into a degree.Would you like the flexibility to change your mind?
If yes, look for a pathway with a clear exit point, like an Open Access subject, undergraduate certificate or diploma.Is a standalone qualification important to you?
If you’d like something to show for your study before committing to a full degree, an undergraduate certificate or diploma may suit you better than single subjects.
How can you get started?
Whether you're ready to apply or still comparing your options, these resources can help you take the next step:
Explore psychology courses to compare degrees and pathway options.
Read our guide to psychology entry requirements if you're not sure whether you're eligible yet.
Learn how psychology degrees work to understand the different qualifications and where they can lead.
Find out what it's like to study psychology online before you enrol.
Still have questions? Speak with a student advisor like me for personalised guidance on your entry options and next steps.
About the author
Samira Kamboj
Student advisor specialising in psychology courses
Samira Kamboj is our specialist in psychology course advice at Open Universities Australia. After returning to university as a mature-age student herself, Samira understands the difference education can make and is passionate about helping students from all backgrounds create new possibilities through study.
FAQs about entry pathways into psychology degrees
Do I need an ATAR to get into psychology?
No. While some psychology degrees accept students based on their ATAR, it's not the only way to qualify. Depending on the university, you may also be able to gain entry through Open Access subjects an undergraduate certificate, a TAFE qualification or your work and life experience
Can I transfer into a psychology degree from another course?
Yes, sometimes. If you've completed university study in another discipline, you may be eligible to transfer into a psychology degree or receive credit for some subjects. The amount of credit depends on the university and your previous study.
Can I become a psychologist through a pathway course?
A pathway course won't qualify you as a psychologist on its own. Instead, it helps you meet the entry requirements for an APAC-accredited psychology degree, which is the first step towards registration.
Will a pathway course count towards my psychology degree?
Often, yes. Open Access subjects, undergraduate certificates and some diplomas can count as credit towards a bachelor degree, though this depends on the university and the subjects you complete.
Can I study psychology part time while completing an entry pathway?
Yes. Most pathway options can be studied part time, allowing you to balance work, family or other commitments while working towards degree entry.
