Graduate Diploma of Psychology

What you’ll learn:

• Develop Advanced Psychological Knowledge: Gain a deep understanding of key psychological theories and evidence. 
• Research: Learn to analyse and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources.
• Interpret & Communicate Complex Ideas: Build strong professional communication skills to effectively present and explain psychological concepts to various audiences.
• Ethical Practice: Apply ethical frameworks to real-world scenarios, ensuring integrity in practice. 
• Problem-Solving: Develop creative solutions to tackle complex issues in human behaviour and cognitive processes.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Systematically review, critically evaluate, consolidate, and synthesise research from a variety of sources to develop advanced psychological knowledge.
2. Formulate arguments that are fit for purpose, and demonstrate an advanced understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in psychology.
3. Critically analyse, evaluate, and transform information to generate creative solutions to solve complex applied and theoretical problems in psychology.
4. Define, evaluate, and integrate theoretical principles; responsibly and independently apply these in a range of general and professional contexts relevant to psychology.
5. Apply knowledge and specialised skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others.
6. Interpret and communicate complex ideas, problems and arguments in a professional manner to a range of audiences using a range of media.
7. Coherently articulate lines of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, and professional accountability, and apply frameworks to analyse situations and offer practical solutions to ethical problems in local and international contexts.

What is the Graduate Diploma of Psychology? 

Swinburne Online’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology provides foundational knowledge in human behaviour alongside practical skills in research and critical thinking.

Whether you’re looking to change your career or simply gain professional insight into human nature, you’ll build the same APAC–accredited foundations as a three–year undergraduate psychology degree, giving you the credentials to continue your journey towards registration.

Who is this course for? 

If you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree in any field and are looking to transition into psychology, this course can help take you further. Whether you’re on a pathway to becoming a registered psychologist or exploring roles in mental health, community services or counselling, it provides a strong foundation for further study or psychology‑related work. With academic depth and industry relevance, it’s perfect for career-changers, return-to-work professionals, and anyone ready to go even further into the world of psychology. 

• Graduates: Designed for students with an undergraduate degree in any discipline who have a passion for helping others. 
• Pathway-focused students: Those seeking a recognised route into further psychology study, including pathways to registration. 
• Career-changers: Those who lead busy lives and want a flexible option to help enhance their careers while balancing life.  

How you’ll study

• The Graduate Diploma of Psychology runs across three Teaching Periods per year.
• Expected study load is between 8–10 hours per week, per unit.
• Set your own study paceby taking one or more units per Teaching Period. 
• Learning is delivered through interactive materials, including videos, quizzes, podcasts, diagrams, and written content.
• 24/7 access to your online classroom, discussion boards, and learning content.

Recommended study pattern

To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma of Psychology students must complete 10 units comprising of:

Foundational units

Introductory Research Methods and Statistics (PSY70020)

Brain and Behaviour (PSY70011)

Fundamentals of Psychology (PSY10008)

Core units

Social Psychology (PSY70013)

Developmental Psychology (PSY70015)

Cognition And Human Performance (PSY70014)

Analysis of Variance and Regression (STA70007)

Psychology Of Personality (PSY70016)

Mental Health Diversity, Diagnosis and Treatment (PSY70018)

Psychology Project (PSY70019)

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma of Psychology students must complete 125 credit points comprising of:

• Ten (10) compulsory Psychology units of study (125cps).

Volume of Learning

The Graduate Diploma of Psychology consists of a total of 125 credit points. All units carry 12.5 credit points (cps). A standard annual full-time load comprises eight (8) units (100 cps), and a standard annual part-time load comprises four (4) units (50 cps). The volume of learning of the Graduate Diploma of Psychology is typically 18 months.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Diploma of Psychology is 62.5 credit points (normally five units).

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

Indicative total fee $38,230

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.

Study on your own terms with this forward-thinking university.

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.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

19

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

15

To gain entry into this course, applicants must have one of the following:

• A completed undergraduate degree in any discipline; or
• A completed postgraduate degree in any discipline; or
• A completed Graduate Certificate of Psychology.

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.