Psychology in Context: From Foundations to Applications
Undergraduate
MAQ-PSYX1101 2026Previously MAQ-PSYX1104
Course information for 2026 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Gain an overview of key concepts in psychology. You’ll explore personality, motivation, learning, and more. Set a strong foundation in key study skills, including researching and essay writing, to lean on throughout your psychology degree.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 15 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Price from
- $2,245
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Psychology in Context: From Foundations to Applications
About this subject
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe and explain foundational principles, theories and concepts in psychology across domains such as history, culture, personality, learning and memory, cognition, emotion, and motivation
- Describe the nature and purpose of psychological research based on first-hand engagement with the research process
- Communicate psychological concepts and evidence clearly and appropriately using different modes suited to academic and professional contexts
- Apply psychological knowledge in ways that show ethical awareness, cultural sensitivity, respect for diversity, and the capacity for self-reflection and life-long learning
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
IPsychology helps you explore why people think, feel, and behave the way they do. In this unit, you will be introduced to ideas and approaches that shape the discipline and the profession, including its history and cultural perspectives. You will examine core areas such as personality, learning and memory, perception and cognition, motivation, and emotion, with a focus on how these perspectives are applied. You will also engage with the research process, developing skills in scientific reasoning and statistics that allow you to explain and interpret psychological evidence. By the end of the unit, you will have a strong foundation in psychological knowledge, with the ability to consider ethically and communicate your ideas with clarity and cultural awareness.
- Group Presentation (35%)
- Online invigilated examination (45%)
- Written Reflection (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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
Entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MAQ-PSYX1104 (Not currently available)
Others
NCCW (pre-2020) PSY104, PSYC104, PSYU1104
NCCW (2020 and onwards); PSYX1104, PSYU1104, PSYU1101
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Undergraduate
MAQ-PSY-DEGSingle subject FAQs
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