Bachelor of Psychology

On successful completion, you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of the underlying principles, theories and concepts in the core topics of psychology.
2. Recognise the importance of maintaining reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive approaches to the understanding of psychology.
3. Apply knowledge and skills of psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
4. Analyse and critique theory and research in psychology, including the conduct, analysis and interpretation of empirically-derived data
5. Prepare and produce written and oral-format communications regarding the critique of theory and research in psychology
6. Demonstrate interpersonal skills and teamwork.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics in psychology.
8. Extend your knowledge of psychology through self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry in this discipline.

Psychology is a discipline characterised by both scientific research and applied professional practice. This degree is concerned with providing students with a scientific understanding in the psychological processes that underlie behaviour including perception, cognition, learning, motivation, neuroscience, psychopathology, personality, emotion, developmental psychology, health psychology, counselling and social relationships, as well as training in the analysis of data and research methodologies. This course allows students to complete an accredited Psychology degree across three years. Students in this course also have the option to transfer to the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) course to complete an additional fourth year of honours in Psychology, conditional on meeting the entry requirements. A key feature of the Bachelor of Psychology degree is the capstone unit, which aims to provide students with skills to facilitate their transfer into the workplace, and the opportunity to gain limited but relevant experience working in the field.

Recommended study pattern

Minimum number of subjects for the degree: 24

CORE ZONE

Essential subjects: 140 credit points

• PSYX1101 Introduction to Psychology I (Open Enrolment)
• PSYX1102 Introduction to Psychology II (Open Enrolment)
• STAX1103 Introduction to Psychological Design and Statistics (Open Enrolment)
• PSYX2234 Social and Personality Psychology
• PSYX2235 Developmental Psychology
• PSYX2236 Biopsychology and Learning
• PSYX2246 Cognitive Processes I
• PSYX2247 Perception
• PSYX2248 Design and Statistics II
• PSYX3332 Principles of Psychological Assessment
• PSYX3333 Social Interaction in the Modern World
• PSYX3336 Personality and its Disorders
• PSYX3337 Psychopathology
• PSYX3338 Organisational Psychology

Elective subjects: complete 1 subject form the following options:

• PSYX2224 Psychology, Health and Wellbeing
• PSYX2201 Counselling Approaches and Principles

Capstone subject

• PSYX3399 Psychological Science: Putting Theory into Practice

FLEXIBLE ZONE

Electives: 80 credit points

You can use your flexible zone to enrol in any subject for which you meet the pre-requisites.

TOTAL CREDIT POINTS REQUIRED FOR THIS PROGRAM: 240

Award requirements

To be awarded the degree, students must complete the following minimum requirements.

• Minimum number of subjects required for the degree: 24
• There are 16 Core subjects required for this degree, including a final Capstone subject (PSYX3399).
• There are 8 elective subjects required for this degree.

Choose your subjects

Electives

• Students can complete 80 credit points (8 subjects) from any subject for which they meet the prerequisites.

Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.

This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.

• Core Zone: Essential Open Enrolment Subjects

• Core Zone: Essential Subjects

• Electives

• Core Zone: Essential Capstone Subject

Students are eligible to register for the Macquarie Bachelor of Psychology after successfully completing 4 OUA higher education subjects including STAX1103, PSYX1101 and PSYX1102 (or eqivalent subjects) ; or successfully complete STAX1103 and PSYX1101 or PSYX1102 with a WAM of 65 or above. Students must follow the degree structure in place at the time of their Bachelor of Psychology registration with the University. Registration is free for all students.

Please Note: Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) and HECS are not available for this degree. However, subject to your eligibility, other HELP loans may be available.

Once you have been admitted into your degree, you must enrol in at least one subject in the study term immediately following admission, and you must remain enrolled past the census date. If not, your admission will lapse and you will need to re-apply for the degree again. Deferment is not available for OUA students.

https://students.mq.edu.au/study/faculties/open-universities-australia/degree-information.

Please note that students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy will not be permitted to register in Macquarie University degrees offered through OUA. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.

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

Indicative total fee $41,935

The amount shown here is 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.

This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.

Learn more about Macquarie University.

Explore Macquarie courses.

QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

11

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

10

To gain eligibility, students must successfully complete 4 OUA subjects, including STAX1103, PSYX1101 and PSYX1102 (or equivalent subjects)

OR

successfully complete STAX1103 and PSYX1101 or PSYX1102 (or equivalent subjects) with a WAM of 65 or above.

OR

successfully complete PSYX1104 and PSYX1105 with a WAM of 65 or above

OR

successfully complete 4 OUA subjects, including PSYX1104 and PSYX1105

Competitive ATAR of 83, a Selection Rank of 83 or equivalent OP of 9.

Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall with minimum 6.0 in each band, or equivalent.

All applicants for undergraduate coursework studies at Macquarie University are required to provide evidence of proficiency in English.

You may satisfy the English language requirements if you have completed:

• senior secondary studies equivalent to the NSW HSC
• one year of Australian or comparable tertiary study in a country of qualification

For more information see English Language Requirements.

If you have completed prior study at Diploma level or higher, you may be eligible for credit towards your Bachelor at Macquarie which can reduce the duration of your program.

For more information see our Recognition of Prior Learning page or submit an enquiry.