Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

Name: Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
Price: <a href='#fees-and-scholarships'> Commonwealth supported place </a> AUD

VU course code: ABPC | CRICOS: 077996C | Level of study: Undergraduate

ATAR

Lowest selection rank: 81.35*

Duration

4 years full time or longer for part time

Delivery mode

In Person

Fees

Commonwealth supported place

Location

Footscray Park

Next start date

20 January 2025

Application closes

12 January 2025

View all start dates

Overview

Understand the human mind and the science of personality with a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from Victoria University (VU).

Learn about human behaviour, motivation and relationships in this psychology degree. Prepare to apply for registration as a provisional psychologist and take up further career and postgraduate study options.

You’ll spend the first three years of the program focusing on psychology and social research methods. This includes a work placement during your third year, in which you’ll gain practical experience in a professional setting.

In the fourth (honours) year, you’ll pursue advanced studies in quantitative and qualitative social research methods, professional practice units and a research thesis.

You’ll graduate with an in-depth knowledge of human emotion and behaviour to understand why we think and behave in the way we do – and why this differs from one individual to the next.

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

Elucidate an advanced knowledge and application of psychological theory and social research methods;

Critically analyse and exemplify skills in psychological assessment and evidence-based intervention strategies with due reference to cultural considerations;

Exhibit advanced problem-solving and research skills to investigate substantive research questions relevant to the discipline of psychology;

Critically evaluate the nature of psychology as a profession, the legal and ethical responsibilities of the psychologist, and the role of relevant regulatory bodies and professional organisations;

Exhibit interpersonal communication and interviewing skills consistent with pre-professional and culturally sensitive practice, when working with people from diverse backgrounds;

Exemplify independence, self-reflection and creativity to meet goals and challenges in professional and academic pursuits, and

Interrogate how broader systemic factors have an impact on and help inform human behaviour and wellbeing.
: As a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) student, you’ll get the valuable opportunity in your third year of study to complete a fieldwork unit, which includes 60 hours of work placement.
Choose to complete your placement in an organisation that aligns with your area of interest, such as these examples experienced by our students:
community organisations, such as Autism Camp Australia
mental health organisations and general practice, such as Orygen and private psychology clinics
sport-based organisations
public and private health services
school settings.
Find out more about VU’s psychology fieldwork program.
: The major focus of your fourth year of study will be an extended research thesis, in which you’ll spend the year focusing on an area that aligns with your interests.
You’ll learn to work as an independent researcher, taking responsibility for planning, conducting and reporting a research project with the support of a thesis supervisor.
Your thesis will report the findings of your independent research in a style appropriate to submit to a journal for publication.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

ATAR requirements

Minimum ATAR: 81.35*

This course has a minimum ATAR entry requirement. This means you’ll need to achieve a certain ATAR, along with other criteria, to be considered for this course.

The following table shows the ranking results of our current student intake and is an indication of the ATAR you’ll need to successfully apply.

* Use as a guide only. This ATAR was created in January 2024 and may change for 2025 entry.

VU course code: ABPC

VTAC course code: 4301042241

Campus: Footscray Park

ATAR profile of people who received an offer for the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours).
	ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors)	Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Highest rank to receive an offer	83.70	92.55
Median rank to receive an offer	74.55	85.95
Lowest rank to receive an offer	68.60	81.35

Learn more about ATAR

What is ATAR?

The Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) compares the results of final-year school students, with adjustments made for factors such as hardship. The ranking is expressed as a number between 0 and 99.95. ATAR minimum entry requirements are not usually essential entry criteria for applicants who have completed secondary education more than 2 years ago.

Entry criteria

Minimum entry criteria include:

English-language requirements
academic requirements.

Your work and life experience will also be considered.

To find specific entry requirements for this course, please select the section below that is most relevant to you.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

: This information is relevant if, in the 2 years prior to studying with us, you have completed (or will complete) one of the following:

Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE)

an Australian or overseas equivalent to VCE

an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
: This information is relevant if you have completed an accredited award (such as a certificate or diploma) at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (usually a TAFE, polytechnic or other registered VET institute).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.

Admission criteria

Completion of at least one semester of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.

Admission criteria

Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
: Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students

(A) Past Higher Education Study
(includes a bridging or enabling course) 8 34.8%

(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study <5 <5

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
6 26.1%

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
NA NA

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
<5 <5

(D) Work and Life experience <5 <5

International students <5 <5

All students 23 100%

"<5" – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Special entry programs

Special admission programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

VU Early Entry

If you're currently in Year 11 or 12, our exclusive VU Early Entry program comes with a Conditional Offer to the course of your choosing*, a personalised course plan, special events, exclusive discounts and access to one-on-one course advice.

*Conditions apply.

Learn more about VU Early Entry

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of the course.

You should carefully consider the inherent requirement statement as a:

guide for your learning during the course
way for you to identify challenges you may have in studying this course.

Learn more about inherent requirements

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) students will be required to complete 384 credit points, consisting of:

96 credit points (equivalent to 8 units) of Core First Year studies;
216 credit points (equivalent to 18 units) of Core Psychology studies;
2 x 24 credit points (equivalent to 2 units) of Core Thesis studies; and
24 credit points (equivalent to 2 units) of Psychology Elective studies.

In order to be eligible to advance to the fourth (Honours) year of the course, students must achieve the stringent academic admission criteria that are required for Honours programs in Psychology. A minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70% across all core third year psychology units is required.

Students who have successfully completed the first three years of study but have not met the academic admission requirements for the Honours year will be eligible to apply to graduate with a Bachelor of Psychological Studies.

Units

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the government, reducing it to the amount listed here. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens will qualify for a CSP place. If your course is not Commonwealth supported, or you don't qualify, you'll pay full fees.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

Fees

Scholarships

Careers

The number of jobs for psychologists is expected to grow strongly over the next five years as more people are reaching out to psychologists and counsellors.

Once you graduate from VU’s Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), you can apply for provisional registration as a psychologist and find employment in:

welfare
community services
human resources.

If you’d like to become a fully-registered psychologist, you’ll need further training at the masters and doctoral level.

Alternatively, you may choose to continue on to further study to qualify as a teacher or social worker.

Work towards becoming a clinical psychologist

Professional accreditation/Industry recognition

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

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