Understand how people work
- 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 this program, you’ll learn how to explain human behaviour. Our award-winning staff will teach you about how people develop through the lifespan, what motivates us, how to understand personality, and how to encourage behaviour change.
Explore the professional practice of psychology, including cognitive, social, perceptual, physiological, intercultural, Indigenous and abnormal psychologies. You’ll complete this program with an introductory knowledge to the science behind psychology and an understanding of its applications.
In this program you will:
- Learn about human behaviour
- Specialise in counselling, social work, or public health through electives
- Have the opportunity to work as a research assistant
- Have the opportunity to continue your studies which may result in registration as a psychologist or completing a PhD
Career opportunities:
- Health and education services
- Disability support officer
- 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 further accredited postgraduate study graduates may be eligible for registration as a psychologist in that state or territory.
Program structure
Introductory courses (4) 48 units
COU180 Exercise Prescription and Programming I
PSY100 Biomechanics I
PSY101 Exercise Physiology I
PSY102 Sport and Exercise Psychology
Developing and Graduate courses (14) 168 units
PSY200 Motor Control and Learning
PSY201 Active Lifestyle Nutrition
PSY202 Foundations of Outdoor Environmental Studies
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 (72 units) from the undergraduate elective course options.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Gympie) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Gympie) Semester 2 commencement (July)
- (Fraser Coast) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Moreton Bay) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Moreton Bay) Semester 2 commencement (July)
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 (120 units), including the core courses
Program notes
- 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 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 Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.