Help others with their mental wellbeing
This program helps you understand why people think, feel and behave certain ways. Explore the professional practice of psychology, including cognitive, social, perceptual, physiological, intercultural, Indigenous and abnormal psychologies.
- 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.
- ^Campus note: First and second year courses available at Moreton Bay campus from 2020. Third year courses will be available from 2021.
- ^Campus note: First and second year courses available at Moreton Bay campus from 2020. Third year courses will be available from 2021.
This program helps you understand why people think, feel and behave certain ways. Explore the professional practice of psychology, including cognitive, social, perceptual, physiological, intercultural, Indigenous and abnormal psychologies.
In the final year of study, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about a specific area of interest when you undertake an advanced research project.
The training is scientifically and ethically based to teach you types of behaviour, examine personality and to do formal personality assessments.
In this program you will:
- Learn from award-winning psychology staff who work in the field
- Undertake an advanced research project
- Participate in paid work as a research assistant
- Gain high-level statistical and research skills
Career opportunities
Once a student is provisionally registered, they may work with an approved supervisor (supervising psychologist approved by the Psychology Board of Australia) in any field that a psychologist is employed. Career opportunities include the public health system (in hospitals), the private health system (hospitals and clinics), non-government organisations in the community (drug and alcohol services), correction services, child protection services, and private practice, to name a few. Students will also be eligible to apply to complete a higher degree program (PhD or Masters (by research or coursework)).
Accredited pathway to becoming a psychologist
Our honours program is an APAC accredited four year program in psychology, giving you a highly recognised qualification, following which you can apply for further postgraduate study such as a PhD or our postgraduate coursework programs which lead to general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) * via the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). A Class 2 (Division 1) Honours grade is required for eligibility to apply for these postgraduate coursework programs.
* In order to practise as a psychologist in Australia you must legally be registered with PsyBA.
Program structure
Introductory courses (4) 48 units
COU180 The Changing Planet
PSY100 Planning and Environmental Law
PSY101 Regional Transformation: political and economic geographies
PSY102 Landscapes, Place and People
Developing and Graduate courses (14) 168 units
PSY200 Public Space Planning and Design - Studio II
PSY201 Strategic Infrastructure Planning
PSY202 Participation and Conflict Resolution
PSY203 Introductory Counselling Skills
PSY204 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY205 Introduction to Psychology B
PSY300 Current Directions in Psychology
PSY301 Research Methods in Psychology A
PSY302 Research Methods in Psychology B
PSY303 Physiological Psychology
PSY304 Introduction to Human Development
PSY305 Social Psychology
PSY306 Motivation and Emotion
PSY307 Advanced Methods in Psychology
Elective courses (6) 72 units
Select 6 elective courses from the undergraduate elective course options.
Honours
Coursework (4) 48 units
PSY400 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PSY401 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
PSY402 Personality and Assessment
PSY403 Human Associative Learning
Dissertation (2) (48 units)
PSY408A Abnormal Psychology
PSY408B Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
Campus note: Moreton Bay - Third year courses available from 2021. Dissertation courses may be available subject to suitable supervision availability.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Entry to the fourth year of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) requires a grade point average (GPA) of 5.5 in the developing and graduate level (200/300 coded) PSY courses
Program notes
- A minimum GPA of 5.5 in the developing and graduate level (200/300 coded) PSY courses must be achieved at the end of third year for a student to be automatically allowed to continue to the fourth year honours component. Students who do not meet this requirement will be exited from the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) into the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) with full credit for all studies successfully completed
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods
- 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 Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.