Bachelor of Psychological Science
Undergraduate
SCU-PSY-DEG 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Explore the human mind and behaviour
Study key topics in psychology including perception, motivation, and memory. Consider psychology across the lifespan, in states of health and illness. You’ll develop skills for research, statistics, and problem-solving. Understand yourself and others.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 36 months
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Psychological Science
About this degree
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 (GA).
Course Learning Outcomes
GA1: Intellectual rigour
Comprehend and apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge of psychological principles, theories, and concepts using a scientific, evidence-based approach.
GA2: Creativity
Demonstrate independence and integrity in scholarly inquiry and creative problem-solving in psychology.
GA3: Ethical practice
Demonstrate the capacity to evaluate evidence, tolerate ambiguity, recognise biases, and apply values and ethics necessary for professional conduct in psychology.
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
Apply appropriate research and assessment methods in psychology.
GA5: Lifelong learning
Apply knowledge and skills of psychology to meet personal, professional, and societal needs.
GA6: Communication and social skills
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.
GA7: Cultural competence
Demonstrate a reflexive manner appropriate to a range of socially and culturally diverse people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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.
Award requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Psychological Science, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:
- 16 core units (192 credit points); and
- The Psychology Extension Major OR 1 shared major OR 8 elective units (96 credit points).
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$8,333
Indicative total fee $25,000
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.
Southern Cross University believes in the power of change. Their graduates stride the global stage at the frontline of healthcare, transforming education in the classroom, and tackling the world’s wicked problems with scientific and engineering solutions. Students enjoy award winning support, teaching quality, and online delivery. Ranked among the best for many years, they will help you make the change you seek to transform your tomorrow.
Learn more about SCU.
Explore SCU courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 32
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 34
How to apply
Southern Cross University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Southern Cross University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
ATAR of 70 or equivalent.
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).
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
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:
Overall 6.0
- Listening minimum 5.5
- Reading minimum 5.5
- Speaking minimum 5.5
- Writing minimum 5.5.
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
Career opportunities
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.
Professional recognition
The course has Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accreditation for entrance into postgraduate training.
Career outlook
- Counsellors:
- $75K to $93K
- Health and Welfare Services Managers:
- Over $120K
- Human Resource Managers:
- Over $120K
- Policy and Planning Managers:
- Over $120K
- Psychologists and Psychotherapists:
- $93K to $120K