Bachelor of Psychological Science

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

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

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.

https://psychology.org.au/psychology/careers-and-studying-psychology/studying-psychology/study-pathways

Professional recognition

Accreditation Status: The Bachelor of Psychological Science is a professionally accredited degree. This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). 

Students who complete the Bachelor of Psychological Science may be eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours). 

Note that completing the Bachelor of Psychological Science does not entitle graduates to register or practice as a psychologist. To be eligible to register as a psychologist, graduates must also complete an APAC accredited Honours year [(e.g., Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)], followed by an APAC accredited postgraduate degree.

If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us (https://www.utas.edu.au/enquire) for further information.

Higher education via OUA

Successful completion of any 4 OUA open access subjects of study at the equivalent AQF level, unless otherwise specified.

Higher education

• Applicants must have Completed UTAS University Preparation Program or an equivalent enabling program offered by another Australian university; OR 
• Applicants must have completed the equivalent of at least two subjects of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points) within an equivalent AQF level course or higher; OR
• Completed DUS (Diploma of University Studies) any pathway or equivalent.

Secondary education

ATAR: 65 or higher.

Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers are made based on the number of places available. 

VET studies

Successful completion of certificate IV or higher.

Work and Life

Domestic Applicants with work and life experience: If you have not successfully completed senior secondary, tertiary or TAFE/VET study, but have extensive or sustained work experience.

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.

https://www.utas.edu.au/study/apply/admission-requirements/recognition-of-prior-learning

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:

• Counselling
• Criminal Justice
• Neuroscience
• Health Services Support e.g. drug and alcohol, cancer, disability, rehabilitation
• Aged, Family and Child Services
• Probation and Parole Services
• Policy and Planning
• Business
• Marketing
• Education
• Public Affairs
• 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

Award Requirements

Satisfactory completion of 24 subjects, as required in the schedule, within 3-7 years from commencement.

Exit Points

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