Australian residents
International students
ATAR:
Lowest selection rank*: 81.15
*Offers made in 2022. More about ATAR
Duration: 
4 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
Footscray Park
Delivery mode: 
In person
Start date:
1 May 2023
Application due dates:
Direct applications are due on 23 April 2023 for our next intake which starts on 1 May 2023.
Apply

Overview

Understand human behaviour, motivation and relationships. Choose VU’s Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) to study the human mind and the science of personality.

You’ll spend the first three years of the program focusing on psychology and social research methods, and will undertake a minor in an arts specialisation.

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 completion of the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), you’ll be able to apply for registration as a Provisional Psychologist and take up further career and post-graduate study options.

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 Health and 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.

At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.

Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back

VU's Psychology Clinic specialises in cognitive-behavioural therapy and psychodynamic therapy.

Careers in psychology

Graduates of VU’s Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) can apply for provisional registration as a psychologist and can find employment in:

  • welfare
  • community services
  • human resources.

Some of our graduates undertake further study to qualify as teachers or social workers.

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

Salaries

See the average salary for psychologists in Australia via Labour Market Insights. Starting salaries for graduates may be different.

Employment growth

More people are reaching out to psychologists and counsellors, as the benefits of cognitive therapy and psychoanalysis over traditional practices and medication become evident.

Skills for the clinic & beyond

Skills for the clinic & beyond

After graduating from VU, Theresa Marasco found employment in a range of different workplaces before setting up a private practice of her own.

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Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC) Accredited Course logo

Our Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is accredited by the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC).

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.  Academic admission standards are based on the average grade across all core second and third year psychology units. 

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. 

First Year Core Units

Year 2, Semester 1

Year 2, Semester 2

Plus

12 credit points of Psychology Elective studies

Year 3, Semester 1

Year 3, Semester 2

Plus

12 credit points of Psychology Elective Studies

Year 4, Semester 1

Year 4, Semester 2

Psychology Electives:

We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.

Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.

Find out more about the VU Block Model.

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

  1. Elucidate an advanced knowledge and application of psychological theory and social research methods;  
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in theoretical analysis and critical evaluation in psychology;  
  3. Exemplify skills in designing, executing and reporting a research study with some independence;  
  4. Exhibit advanced cognitive, research and problem-solving skills to successfully undertake postgraduate research or a professional career in psychology;  
  5. Critically reflect upon the nature of psychology as a profession and the ethical and legal responsibilities of individuals practising the profession;  
  6. Exhibit interpersonal skills and interventions, consistent with pre-professional and culturally sensitive practice, when working with people from diverse backgrounds;  
  7. Demonstrate independence, self-reflection and creativity to meet goals and challenges in professional and academic pursuits, and;  
  8. Critically reflect on how broader systemic factors have an impact on and help inform human behaviour and wellbeing.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admissions

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.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

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.

Subject adjustments

A study score of 20 in Health and Human Development, any Humanities, any Mathematics, Psychology or any Science equals 5 aggregate points per study. A study score of 25 in English other than EAL equals 5 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in English (EAL) equals 5 aggregate points. Overall maximum of 20 points.

ATAR profile

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 92.75 96.85
Median rank to receive an offer 71.35 87.85
Lowest rank to receive an offer 61.45 81.15

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Completion of at least one semester of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

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).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Selection criteria assistance

Let us know which qualifications you have studied and we will help you find the admission information that most applies to you.

Which of the following qualifications have you studied, or are currently studying?

Still not sure? Make an enquiry and one of our advisors can assist.

Student profile

Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

International Foundations at VU (Extended) JQAH

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU JQAG

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Available start dates:
  • 1 May 2023

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Find out more about applying for our courses.

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 23 April 2023 for our next intake which starts on 1 May 2023.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

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Get help

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.