Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Psychological Science

On successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

1. Analyse major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and evolution of ideas in psychology to professionally and ethically address contemporary issues of cognition and behaviour.
2. Reflect on the quality of your own and others’ decisions through critical thinking, sceptical inquiry and interpretation of research evidence, acknowledging the ambiguity of competing explanations.
3. Embrace a variety of approaches to lifelong learning to understand diverse influences on behaviour.
4. Use contemporary techniques to effectively and ethically communicate with a range of audiences to disseminate knowledge.

Bachelor of Science

On successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

1. Explain the methodologies of science and the role and relevance of science in society.
2. Apply in-depth knowledge and skills in one or more scientific disciplines to provide specialist advice and functions in a range of contexts.
3. Design and implement scientific investigations, including quantitative analysis and critical evaluation of results.
4. Communicate scientific results, information, and arguments, to a range of audiences, for a range of purposes, and using a variety of modes.
5. Apply scientific methods and knowledge ethically, responsibly, respectfully and safely in research or workplace settings guided by relevant regulatory and professional frameworks.

A double degree is a structured program that allows you to study two separate disciplines simultaneously, earning two qualifications upon graduation. Rather than completing two separate degrees, a double degree is designed to reduce the overall study time.

Why study a double degree?

Expanded Career Opportunities

• With qualifications in two fields, you can expand your career opportunities beyond the traditional paths, giving you the flexibility to pursue multiple career paths or combine your skills in unique ways.

Save Time & Money

• A double degree is structured to take less time than studying two degrees separately, meaning you can graduate and start working sooner.

Enhanced Skill Set

• Studying two disciplines helps you develop interdisciplinary skills

Stronger Professional Network

• You’ll engage with professionals and academics from multiple disciplines, expanding your connections and future career opportunities.

Follow Your Passions

• A double degree lets you explore two fields.

Increased Job Security

• With expertise in two areas, you can pivot between industries or combine your skills in ways that can make you more resilient to economic changes.

A double degree allows you to diversify your knowledge, increase your employability and future -proof your career. Whether you’re passionate about multiple fields or seeking a competitive advantage, it’s an investment in a flexible future.

Bachelor of Psychological Science

Psychology, the study of human behaviour, impacts every environment in which humans live, work, cooperate and communicate. Whether it’s in the classroom or the courtroom, the family home or the extremes of Antarctica, in Tasmanian communities or international relations, psychology plays a role.

If you want to develop knowledge and skills that will enrich your personal and professional life, or your goal is to become a research scientist, counsellor or registered psychologist, the Bachelor of Psychological Science provides the perfect foundation. When you study the science of psychology you will learn about the biological and psychological principles of human behaviour, and will develop the transferable skills of critical thinking, communication and problem solving that are vital everywhere people interact.

Bachelor of Science

If you enjoy pursuing your curiosity and understanding the world around you, consider yourself an innovator, and are passionate about shaping the world from our living laboratory, our Bachelor of Science provides a gateway to an exciting world of rewarding careers.

The University of Tasmania’s science degree provides you with a foundation of core skills in science, analysis, and rational thinking. You have options to focus your study in one or more scientific disciplines and learn the methods to apply your skills and knowledge to the practical needs of industry, business, and government in both scientific and non-scientific roles.

Recommended study pattern

In a 4 year double degree you will complete a total of 400 credit points comprising 200 credit points from each course. The requirements of each course, such as majors and core subjects, are specified below. For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended.

Bachelor of Psychological Sciences:

Year 1

• TAS-PSY111 Transferable Skills in Psychology
• TAS-PSY112 Brain and Behaviour
• TAS-PSY124 Mental Health and Individual Differences
• TAS-PSY125 Psychological Processes

Year 2

• TAS-PSY207 Social Psychology
• TAS-PSY211 Research Skills in Psychology
• TAS-PSY223 Health and Psychological Wellbeing
• TAS-PSY224 Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience

Year 3

• TAS-PSY302 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
• TAS-PSY305 Clinical Psychology
• TAS-PSY311 Advanced Research Skills in Psychology
• TAS-PSY312 Forensic Psychology

Year 4

• TAS-PSY324 Psychological Assessment and Intervention
• TAS-PSY325 Neuropsychology and Clinical Neuroscience
• TAS-PSY331 Psychology of Language
• TAS-PSY336 Human Behaviour in Extreme Environments

Bachelor of Science

Year 1 to 4

Choose 1 Major from the following options:

• Geography and Environment
• Sustainability

8 Discipline Electives, from any combination of the following groupings

• Climate Science & Energy
• Earth and Geological Sciences
• Environmental Management, Policy & Justice
• Food, Agriculture & Innovation
• Geospatial Science
• Quantitative & Physical Sciences
• Sustainability Thinking & Action

Award requirements

Satisfactory completion of 32 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 4-9 years from commencement.

Choose your subjects

Majors

Bachelor of Science Majors:

Geography and Environment

Environmental problems are also social problems. Explore people-environment interactions through the Geography and Environments major to develop specialist expertise across the physical, spatial and social sciences and the integrated knowledge needed to solve environmental challenges locally and globally. Geography is uniquely placed within the BSc to offer insights into the complex social-ecological systems that need to be navigated to achieve these solutions, including understanding regulatory frameworks, ethics in science, and the critical evaluation and synthesis of information.

BSc students with a major in Geography and Environment have career prospects in land management, policy and planning, sustainability planning, environmental regulation and assessment, in both the public and private sector. You will develop skills for 21st Century jobs that require flexibility, innovative thinking and lifelong learning. You will expand your knowledge of environments and peoples, and the ways they interact from the local to the global.

We offer our students a wide range of experiences on campus, as well as in Tasmania's amazing natural environments only minutes from campus - experiences that are simply not available at other universities in Australia. Field experiences begin in week 3 of first year and continue through your studies.

• Introductory subjects:
  • TAS-KGA171 Global Geographies of Change
  • TAS-KGA172 Nature, People, Place
• Intermediate subjects:
  • TAS-KGA204 Earth, Climate and Life
  • TAS-KGA223 Environmental Management
• Advanced subjects:
• TAS-KGA319 Science and Policy for Energy Futures
• TAS-KGA320 Our Changing Climate
• TAS-KGA327 Geoheritage and Geotourism
• TAS-KGA381 Environmental Impact Assessment

Sustainability

Developing sustainable societies is a major challenge of the Anthropocene. This Major allows students to explore the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills that underpin the development of sustainable societies and solutions. Informed by international and local research, practice and theory, this program allows students to develop specialist expertise across the physical and social sciences and humanities. With an emphasis on student-led and problem-based learning, this Major provides the frameworks for developing sustainability solutions in a range of fields and careers.

This Major is for students interested in developing sustainable societies. Informed by international and local research, practice and theory, the Major allows students to develop specialist expertise across physical and social sciences and humanities.

• Introductory subjects:
  • Choose 1 subject from
    • TAS-HEJ111 Communicating Sustainability
    • TAS-HUM111 Engaging with Sustainability 
  • Choose 1 subject from
    • TAS-KGA171 Global Geographies of Change
    • TAS-KEA104 Humans: Earth Shapers
    • TAS-ZAS118 Sustainability
    • For articulating Diploma of Sustainable Living students only
      • TAS-KGA107 Local Lives for a Sustainable Planet
• Intermediate subjects:
  • TAS-KGA207 Systems Thinking
  • Choose 1 subject from
    • TAS-BEA207 Natural Resource Economics
    • TAS-HPP222 Modern Political Ideologies
    • TAS-KGA223 Environmental Management
• Advanced subjects:
  • TAS-KGA301 Change Agents for Sustainability
  • Choose 3 subjects from
    • TAS-CXA322 Food, Health and Environment
    • TAS-HGA343 Globalisation and Society: Power, Inequality and Conflict
    • TAS-KGA308 Political Ecologies of Development
    • TAS-KGA319 Science and Policy for Energy Futures

Exit points

Students may exit the course with:

• Any exit award applicable for one of the constituent courses; or

• An award for only one of the constituent courses

Students will not be able to continue in the Double Degree if they elect to pursue the second constituent course after exiting from the first. Students will be transferred to the constituent course they wish to pursue.

Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.

This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.

• Psychological Science Core Subjects

• Geography and Environment Major

• Sustainability Major

• Sustainability Major (for articulating Diploma of Sustainable Living students only)

• Climate Science & Energy

• Earth & Geological Sciences

• Environmental Management, Policy & Justice

• Food, Agriculture & Innovation

• Geospatial Science

• Quantitative & Physical Sciences

• Sustainability Thinking & Action

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $58,870

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

A place for curious minds to solve big challenges and make a difference in the world.

Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more.

It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

14

• Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least two subjects of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points) at 100 level or higher and which may include 100 level subjects completed in the UTAS Diploma of University Studies. If an applicant has failed any subjects, the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made;

OR

• Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).

Graduate Entry Pathway

To be eligible for an offer into the graduate entry pathway for the Bachelor of Psychological Science you must have completed a Bachelor degree (or equivalent) or higher in any discipline in the past 10 years. Otherwise students will be admitted to the standard pathway.

Successful completion of any two (2) OUA open access subjects of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points) at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified.

Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. In 2026, the lowest ATAR to receive an offer into this course was 65.8. The lowest ATAR to receive an offer may change from year to year based on the number of applications we receive.

Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your individual subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.

Completed a Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Certificate IV (or equivalent) in any discipline.

Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.

Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and/or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.

The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.