Psychology courses

Psychologists have a unique insight into what drives human behaviour. Studying psychology will set you up to:   

• Help other people, no matter what psychological issues they’re facing.  

• Graduate with in-demand skills and join a profession that allows you to be constantly learning.  

• Gain skills that are transferable across industries, including advanced problem-solving, critical thinking, highly developed communication and writing skills, and the ability to conduct research.  

• Specialise in a field of psychology that matches your interests, such as sports and performance, clinical, forensic, or organisational psychology.

Like a psychologist, a counsellor works with a patient to resolve issues they are facing. However, a counsellor has a lot less professional training than a registered psychologist.  

A counsellor may be helpful for people facing short-term life stress, such as that caused by a divorce, grief or job loss.  

A psychologist may be helpful for someone who wants to explore past events and ongoing mental health concerns, such as anxiety or depression.   

To learn more about the key differences, read our blog about counselling vs psychology.

Psychologists and psychiatrists are both mental health professionals—and sometimes work together with the same patient. But there are differences in the way they work, and the path they take to become professionals.  

The key difference is that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor, which means that they can prescribe medication, and that their patients are referred to them by a GP. This means that they may work with patients who have more complex or serious conditions.

The short answer is: you will most likely complete a masters degree—such as a Master of Clinical Psychology—if you want to become a registered psychologist in Australia.  

Psychology is a regulated profession in Australia, meaning there is a specific study pathway you need to complete before you can register as a psychologist. This involves a minimum of six years of education.  

However, there are a few different ways you can get there. This can involve:  

• A three-year Bachelor of Psychology  

• An honours year  

• A two-year Master of Psychology (or a PhD) 

Or you can opt for the 5+1 pathway, which looks like:  

• Five years of psychology study 

• A one-year internship 

• Completion of the National Psychology Exam

If you have already completed an undergraduate degree in another field, you may like to start your psychology education with a Graduate Diploma in Psychology. 

For more information on the best pathway for you, book a call with a student adviser.

Entry requirements vary depending on the online psychology course that you’re interested in. To be sure, have a look at the entry requirements section on each psychology course page for more information.  

If you don’t have an ATAR or didn’t get the score you were hoping for, it may still be possible to enrol in a psychology course. Open Universities Australia can help you get into a psychology degree through an undergraduate certificate or single subject entry pathway.  

Ask us how today.

After studying psychology, you may go on to become a:  

• General psychologist or clinical psychologist  

• Sports psychologist  

• Counsellor  

• Social worker 

• Forensic psychologist  

• Organisational psychologist  

• Human resources professional  

• Academic or researcher

A great way to find out is to enrol in a single psychology subject. You can give the field a test run, without committing to a full qualification.   

Otherwise, you might be interested in one of these closely related study areas, which also involve analysing behaviour, working with people, and supporting the community: 

Enrolling online is simple. Here’s how it works:

1. Find your course

• Browse the options on this page.

• Use our comparison tool to explore the different choices.

• Need help? Book a free phone consultation with a student advisor for personalised guidance.

2. Start your enrolment

• When you’re ready, click ‘Start studying now’ on the course page.

• Follow the prompts to begin your enrolment.

• You’ll need to provide supporting documents, such as:

  • Proof of identity

  • Your tax file number

  • A Unique Student Identifier (USI)

3. Wait for confirmation

Your chosen university will email you to confirm if your enrolment has been successful.

Note: Some courses have enquiries and applications handled directly by the university. If this applies, it will be clearly stated on the course listing page.

For more details, check our online self-service enrolment guide. And if you need help at any stage, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.