Bachelor of Psychological Sciences
Undergraduate
SWI-PSY-DEG 2025Recognised by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
This accredited degree is the first step in becoming a professional psychologist. Study statistics, research methods, personality, and abnormal psychology. Work in health and allied industries, or keep studying towards a psychologist qualification.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Psychological Sciences
About this degree
Key Learning Outcomes
- Understand how mental health disorders develop and how to treat them using psychological techniques.
- Study how people interact with each other and with society (social psychology).
- Learn how humans develop across their lifespan (developmental psychology).
- Explore cognitive processes like memory, attention, and learning.
- Dive into major theories of personality and what drives behaviour.
- Build digital literacy with tools like Canva, learning how to communicate psychological insights online.
- Collaborate on a real-world project for a chance to be featured in the APS eLearning library.
On successful completion of this Course students will be able to:
- Explore career opportunities that help those who need it
- Learn how humans develop and empower yourself and your future
- APAC accredited and registration ready
- With real practical experience with the APS
Psychology examines what makes us do the things that we do. Through psychology, we seek to understand personality, delve into the nuance of psychological disorders, and explore the effects of social situations on all aspects of our behaviour.
Swinburne Online’s Bachelor of Psychological Sciences introduces you to these concepts by diving into cognitive processes including memory, perception, and attention, and how we change throughout our lives. Your degree is filled with engaging and groundbreaking units that are designed to equip you with skills you’ll need to design research projects and analyse behaviour.
Fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), graduates who are interested in practicing as psychologists will also be able to build the foundational knowledge needed to then take further study required towards becoming a registered psychologist.
Explore career opportunities in mental health, counselling, behaviour support and more.
Designed for busy lives, this 100% online degree lets you balance study with everything else — and gets you ready for a future as a specialist in the mental health and social services sectors.
Recommended study pattern
Core Units
Learning and Communicating Online (COM10003)
Foundations of Statistics (STA10003)
Brain and Behaviour (PSY10007)
Introduction to Research Methods (PSY10005)
Fundamentals of Psychology (PSY10008)
Psychology Major Units
Analysis of Variance and Regression (STA20006)
Social Psychology (PSY20016)
Cognition and Human Performance (PSY20006)
Developmental Psychology (PSY20007)
Psychology of Personality (PSY30008)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY30010)
History and Philosophy of Psychology (PSY30013)
Psychology Project (PSY30003)
Plus there’s a selection of electives to choose from. As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Psychological Sciences, students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:
- Four (4) core units of study (50 credit points)
- One (1) online core unit of study (12.5 credit points)
- Eight (8) Psychology discipline major units of study (100 credit points)
- Twelve (12) or Eleven (11) units of study* (137.5 to 150cp) comprising a second major, co-major, advanced minor, minor/s and/or electives.
Only for students completing this course online through OUA or SOL. Students may not complete more than 150 cps (normally 11 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$9,314
Indicative total fee $27,942
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.
Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.
Learn more about Swinburne.
Explore Swinburne courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 17
How to apply
Swinburne University of Technology manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Swinburne University of Technology 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
If you’re applying to Swinburne but haven’t completed Year 12, don’t worry! You can still apply if you have:
- Completed or partially completed an approved tertiary qualification (like a diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree, or degree).
- Relevant work experience and English language skills, or a STAT result (Special Tertiary Admissions Test), may also be considered.
For those with prior tertiary studies, you might be eligible for academic credit if your previous studies meet part of the course requirements.
If you have completed Year 12 (the Victorian Certificate of Education – VCE, or an equivalent qualification from interstate or internationally), you can apply based on that.
- Minimum ATAR requirements may apply for some courses.
- The full Course Information Set and Whole of Institution Set are available for reference.
Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience and appropriate English language skills, or a suitable Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) result, will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.
Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for credit.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for RPL.
Career opportunities
Mental Health Support Worker
Help clients with diverse mental health needs access care and navigate support systems.
Community Services and Development Officer
Work on support programs in employment, disability, and housing sectors.
Juvenile Justice and Corrections Officer
Guide and manage young offenders through rehabilitation in community and legal settings.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Design and evaluate behavioural intervention plans for clients with complex needs.
Behaviour Therapist
Use behavioural strategies to support individuals with mental health challenges or neurodiversity.
Caseworker or Case Manager
Coordinate personalised care plans for clients, ensuring access to health and social services.
Mental Health Advisor
Provide strategic advice and support to improve mental health outcomes in individuals or communities.
Psychology Administrator
Support psychological service teams by managing programs and operational needs.
Professional recognition
The degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Counsellors | $75K to $93K | Up 12.6% |
Health and Welfare Services Managers | Over $120K | Up 56.6% |
Human Resource Managers | Over $120K | Up 85.7% |
Policy and Planning Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.8% |
Psychologists and Psychotherapists | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |