Bachelor of Psychological Science

There are many career pathways available for students who have completed a degree in psychology, including:

• Human Resource Management
• Marketing and Market Research
• Employment and training services
• Teaching
• Community health and welfare
• Health services support e.g. Drug and alcohol, cancer, disability, rehabilitation
• Probation and parole services
• Aged, family and child services
• Policy and planning
• Counselling

If you aim to become a registered psychologist you will need to complete an APAC accredited fourth year psychology qualification e.g. Honours in Psychology, and then follow one of the following pathways:

• Option 1: 5 + 1 Internship Pathway, e.g. Master of Professional Psychology
• Option 2: APAC-accredited postgraduate professional psychology degree, e.g. Master of Psychology (Clinical)

Further information about these options can be found on the Australian Psychological Society website.

Professional recognition

Accreditation Status: The Bachelor of Psychological Science (53F) is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Further information on accreditation status of psychology courses can be viewed on the APAC website.

Graduates who complete both an accredited undergraduate sequence and subsequently complete an APAC accredited fourth year psychology qualification will be eligible for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia, with eligibility for full registration following two years of appropriate postgraduate training. Graduates will be eligible for membership of the Australian Psychological Society on completion of an accredited two-year postgraduate program in psychology.

Higher education

Applicants must have

• Completed UTAS University Preparation Program or an equivalent enabling program offered by another Australian university; OR
• Completed course at Diploma level or above at any Australian higher education provider (or equivalent overseas qualification); OR
• Partially completed a course at Associate Degree level or higher at any Australian higher education provider (or have partially completed an equivalent overseas qualification).

Applicants must have completed the equivalent of at least two units of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points). If an applicant has failed any units, the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made.

Secondary education

This course uses ATAR and equivalent ranks as part of the admission process.

VET studies

Completed Certificate IV or above.

Work and Life

This course accepts applications based on work or life experience.

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. These include:

• marketing
• business
• advertising
• criminal justice
• neuroscience
• education
• public affairs
• health services
• human resources, and numerous other areas.

Recommended Study Pattern

For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended. If students are undertaking part-time study, we recommend that students complete all first year compulsory subjects prior to completing elective subjects to maximise success.

Year 1. 8 subjects in first year including:

• 4 compulsory subjects:
  • TAS-PSY111 Transferable Skills in Psychology
  • TAS-PSY112 Brain and Behaviour
  • TAS-PSY124 Mental Health and Individual Differences
  • TAS-PSY125 Psychological Processes
• 4 UTAS electives

Year 2. 8 subjects in second year including:

• 4 compulsory subjects:
  • TAS-PSY207 Social Psychology
  • TAS-PSY211 Research Skills in Psychology
  • TAS-PSY223 Health and Psychological Wellbeing
  • TAS-PSY224 Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience
• 4 UTAS electives

Year 3. 8 subjects in third year including:

• 8 compulsory subjects:
  • TAS-PSY302 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
  • TAS-PSY305 Clinical Psychology
  • TAS-PSY311 Advanced Research Skills in Psychology
  • TAS-PSY312 Forensic Psychology
  • TAS-PSY324 Psychological Assessment and Intervention
  • TAS-PSY325 Neuropsychology and Clinical Neuroscience
  • TAS-PSY331 Psychology of Language
  • TAS-PSY336 Human Behaviour in Extreme Environments

Exit Points

Students will be permitted to exit the course and graduate with the Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling exit award where the requirements of the exit award have been met.