Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business

VU course code: ABPB | CRICOS: 075219E | Level of study: Undergraduate

ATAR

Not required

Duration

4 years full time or longer for part time

Delivery mode

In person

Fees

Commonwealth supported place

Location

Footscray Park

Next start date

29 April 2024

Application closes

21 April 2024

View all start dates

Overview

Combine psychology studies with a business specialisation to develop insights into people’s behaviour on an individual and organisational level, in a Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business at Victoria University.

This double degree will help you apply key psychology principles in the workplace, giving you the confidence and expertise to understand and manage a range of stakeholders from teammates and clients to customers and employers.

Through VU’s Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business, you’ll learn how to:

establish employee development programs
advise management on employee relations
lead organisational change
analyse consumer behaviour.

These skills will help you further your career opportunities within:

community service organisations
human resource departments
marketing research agencies
banking and financial institutions
government departments.

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

Elucidate and apply a broad knowledge of psychological theory and social research methods;

Exhibit skills in independent research, theoretical analysis and critical evaluation in psychology and business fields;

Analyse and reflect upon the application of psychological and business theory in addressing contemporary challenges at an individual, interpersonal and organisational level;

Interpret and coherently communicate knowledge and ideas using a range of media;

Exemplify advanced interpersonal and collaborative skills, consistent with professional, culturally appropriate and ethical practice when working with people from diverse backgrounds; and

Exhibit independence, self-reflection and creativity to meet goals and challenges in professional and academic pursuits.
: Our strong network within industry means you’ll have plenty of opportunities for sought-after industry-based experience through practical work placements. Psychology students complete a fieldwork unit, which gives you the opportunity to gain experience in a field related to your studies.

Students have completed placements within:

the Department of Human Services (Child Protection)

family and carer support services

arts and cultural organisations

refugee and asylum seeker support services

public and private health services

school settings.
If you choose to continue on to postgraduate studies, you’ll be able to take up professional training at VU’s Psychology Clinic, providing discounted psychological services to the community.
: You can personalise your learning with both a psychology and business specialisation.

Business specialisations include:

accounting

banking and finance

financial risk management

global logistics and transport

human resource management

international business

international trade

management and marketing

music industry

retail and commerce

small business and entrepreneurship.

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

No minimum ATAR required

This course does not have a minimum ATAR requirement for entry. Read the entry criteria for this course below.

Why ATAR is not applicable

You do not need an ATAR score to apply for this course. Instead, you need to have successfully completed secondary school and to meet any requirements outlined below. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their ATAR, age, education or socioeconomic background.

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).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of two units of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Human or Health Services, Business, Commerce or similar.
OR:
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) 5 27.8%

(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)
NA NA

(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)
9 50.0%

(D) Work and Life experience <5 <5

International students <5 <5

All students 18 100%

"<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.

Applicant background	Number of students	Percentage of all students
(A) Past Higher Education Study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	5	27.8%
(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)	NA	NA
(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)	9	50.0%
(D) Work and Life experience	<5	<5
International students	<5	<5
All students	18	100%

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 Guaranteed

If you’re currently in Year 11 or 12, our exclusive VU Guaranteed program offers a guaranteed place in a university or TAFE course, before your final Year 12 exams.

Learn more about VU Guaranteed

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 Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business, students will be required to complete 384 credit points consisting of:

96 credit points of Core First Year studies;
108 credit points of Core Psychological studies;
24 credit points of Psychology Elective studies;
48 credit points of Core Business studies;
96 credit points of specialised studies selected from one of the Business Majors;
12 credit points of Work Integrated Learning studies (APP3028 Fieldwork or BSK3001 Workplace Learning).

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

Graduates of VU’s Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business have the specialist knowledge and confidence to apply psychology principles within organisations.

This double degree leads to employment in several sectors from community services or marketing to finance or government.

Typical roles include:

organisational development consultant
financial analyst
human resources manager
marketing officer
policy advisor.

Salaries

See the average salary for psychologists in Australia.
See the average salary for ICT business and systems analysts in Australia.

Starting salaries for graduates may be different.

Psychology pathway

This course puts you on track to becoming a registered psychologist, with graduates eligible to gain entry into a fourth year of psychology, followed by a master program.

Accreditation

Our Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business is accredited by the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC).

VU Stories

Capitalising on her studies

Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business

"My university experience set me up for success by bringing business and psychology together, which are both such important parts of my role in Deloitte human capital consulting today."

Jessica's story