Understand people.
This program is designed to give you an in-depth introduction to the science behind psychology and an understanding of its applications. You’ll study psychology and social science to understand and explain human behaviour.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie. Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs.
- *** Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast in 2017. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs campus.
- ** Subject to successful full-time progression and electives chosen. Applies to the first three years full-time study in the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) Programs only and presumes no break in study or credit transfer.
- The 2 Day Guarantee was introduced in 2016 and will be progressively rolled out across year levels. First year is included in 2016 onwards; second year from 2017 onwards; and third year from 2018 onwards
- * In addition to being able to study all courses at Sippy Downs, students may choose to complete some first-year courses at Gympie. Only first-year courses are offered at Gympie. The remainder of the degree is completed at Sippy Downs.
- *** Only first-year courses are offered at Fraser Coast in 2017. The remainder of the program must be completed at Sippy Downs campus.
- ** Subject to successful full-time progression and electives chosen. Applies to the first three years full-time study in the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) Programs only and presumes no break in study or credit transfer.
- The 2 Day Guarantee was introduced in 2016 and will be progressively rolled out across year levels. First year is included in 2016 onwards; second year from 2017 onwards; and third year from 2018 onwards
This program is designed to give you an in-depth introduction to the science behind psychology and an understanding of its applications. You’ll study psychology and social science to understand and explain human behaviour.
Explore the professional practice of psychology, including cognitive, social, perceptual, physiological, intercultural, Indigenous and abnormal psychologies. Learn about human development, motivation and emotion, personality and assessment, and human associative learning. Choose electives to link areas such as counselling, social work or public health to expand your career options.
This program provides graduates with highly marketable skills relevant to a wide range of other positions such as disability support officers, community health, research and telephone counselling.
Our psychology staff are national teaching and learning award winners and you’ll also get the opportunity to participate in paid research assistant work in your second or third year of study. This program is accredited with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), and you can complete further study to become a registered psychologist, clinical psychologist or pursue an academic career.
Balancing university studies with the rest of your life can be a challenge. USC gives you the option to condense all classes for this program into two days a week, when studying at Sippy Downs. The 2 Day Guarantee was introduced in 2016 and will be progressively rolled out across year levels. First year is included in 2016 onwards; second year from 2017 onwards; and third year from 2018 onwards. Some conditions apply.
Visit Study Psychology for more information.
Career opportunities
Health and education services, community work, training and development, human resource management, exercise science, research.
Accreditation
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council has accredited the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) as a three-year undergraduate sequence in psychology. Following successful completion of an accredited honours year plus either further accredited postgraduate study or supervision following the guidelines of the Psychologists Registration Board in their state or territory, graduates may be eligible for registration as a psychologist in that state or territory.
Balancing university studies with the rest of your life can be a challenge. USC gives you the option to condense all classes for this program into two days a week, when studying at Sippy Downs.
Program structure
Introductory courses (4)
COR109 Newsroom
PSY100 Communication and Thought
PSY101 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
PSY102 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
Advanced courses (14)
PSY200 Social Research
PSY201 Understanding Society: An Introduction to Social Theory
PSY202 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
PSY203 Understanding Cultural Diversity
PSY204 Gender and Culture
PSY205 Industry Project 1: Social and Community Studies
PSY300 Industry Project 1: Social and Community Studies
PSY301 Communication and Thought
PSY302 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY303 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY304 Current Directions in Psychology
PSY305 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY306 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY307 Physiological Psychology
Elective courses (6)
Select 6 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core courses
- You must select and register your compulsory major(s)/minor(s) as soon as possible
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- Most courses are valued at 12 units unless otherwise specified
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)
- The 2 Day Guarantee was introduced in 2016 and will be progressively rolled out across year levels. First year is included in 2016 onwards; second year from 2017 onwards; and third year from 2018 onwards
- Students following the 2 Day Guarantee option should refer to the program Blackboard site for enrolment details