Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling

At the end of the program, students of the Edith Cowan University (ECU) Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling can:

1. Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of theoretical and technical psychology and counselling situations.
2. Think critically to analyse, interpret and conceptualise/synthesise complex psychology and counselling knowledge and problems.
3. Think creatively to anticipate challenges and generate psychology and counselling relevant solutions and responses.
4. Use digital technologies and psychology and counselling related literacies to access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources.
5. Communicate psychology and counselling knowledge and ideas clearly, coherently and with independence.
6. Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural diversity, including Indigenous cultural competence.
7. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values through appropriate psychology and counselling methods.
8. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and scholarship.

If you have an interest in the science of psychology and in counselling, this course will introduce you to the professional art of counselling with the added bonus of preparing you for advanced psychology training.

You’ll acquire skills to analyse and research behaviour and to be able to explain interactions between people and their environment. The course is also a great springboard to postgraduate studies in psychology and counselling.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, subjects in this degree can include:

• Introduction to Psychology
• Psychology of Motivation and Emotion
• Dynamic Models of Counselling
• Therapeutic Practice with Families and Couples.

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award requirements

Students are required to complete 360 credit points.

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

Indicative total fee $51,000

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.

ECU is ranked one of the world’s best young universities and Australia’s best public university for teaching quality. That quality extends to more than 30,000 students, many studying online through Open Universities Australia. ECU offers the same quality of teaching to you, regardless of where you’re studying in the world. Their flexible study solutions include a huge range of online courses, recognising your need to juggle work, family or other commitments.

Learn more about ECU.

Explore ECU courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

29

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

24

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. Academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• AQF Cert IV
• Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent)
• Undergraduate Certificate
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test*
• University Preparation Course*
• Indigenous University Orientation Course*; OR
• Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment*.

*For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

Alternatively, applicants can apply with the indicative or guaranteed ATAR.

Alternatively, applicants can apply via Experience Based Entry Scheme, subject to eligibility. Our Experience Based Entry Scheme allows you to be considered for entry to an undergraduate course through an assessment of your ability to succeed in higher education. This is based on a portfolio of evidence you provide to us.

Students can satisfy English competency requirements by showing any of the following:

• Results of Year 12 English ATAR or English Literature ATAR with a grade C or better or equivalent.
• Results of a Special Tertiary Admissions Test to ECU’s standards.
• An IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0).
• Completion of 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada.
• Completion of an ECU University Preparation Course, Indigenous University Orientation Course, or Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment.
• Completion of a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree as described by the Australia Qualifications Framework.
• Completion of 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
• Completion of other tests, courses or programs as accepted by ECU.

If you have completed units of study at University, undertaken a Diploma qualification or higher, or have relevant professional experience, you may be eligible for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning (CRPL).

To assess your eligibility for credit, we first need you to apply for and accept an offer in your course of interest with us. You can then submit an Application for Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning via your Student Portal.