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Psychology student in prac on consultation
B-PSYCH

Psychology

Bachelor degree pass/honours

Find out how the human mind thinks and why we behave the way we do.

This offering version is phasing out and no longer taking applications. You may be able to apply for a later version.

Course outline
  • ATAR
    Guaranteed ATAR 70
  • Qualification
    Bachelor of Psychology
  • Duration
    4 years full-time
  • Credit
    800
  • CRICOS
    041070B
  • Location
    Curtin Perth
Course outline

Select your preferred campus:

2023

Semester 1

On campus

Semester 2

On campus

Course outline

Outline

Outline

Learn about perception, cognition, emotion, personality, behaviour and interpersonal relationships, and how psychologists examine, explain and predict what people do as individuals and in groups.

Your first year is interprofessional and taken with other health sciences students. In your second year you will gain greater knowledge in learning, motivation, perception, child development and social psychology.

You will prepare a research proposal in your third year and develop advanced knowledge in abnormal psychology, adult development, community psychology, cognition, cross-cultural psychology, Indigenous psychology and individual differences.

Your fourth year includes a year-long research project and you will develop skills in areas such as program evaluation, psychological assessment, and counselling.

Note on fourth year: Due to stringent accreditation requirements, you must attain a minimum credit average in your second and third year core psychology units to continue into the fourth year of the course. If you do not attain the credit average required, you will graduate at the end of the third year with the intermediate award, Bachelor of Science (Psychology). High-achieving students may be offered a place in the honours program.

Double degree options

You can study Psychology as part of a double degree with either a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) or Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations).

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.

What jobs can the Psychology lead to?

Careers

With further study:

  • Registered psychologist
  • Endorsed psychologist

Industries

  • Government
  • Hospitals
  • Local community
  • Not-for-profit sector
  • Schools
  • Sports organisations

What you'll learn

  • apply psychological theory to evidence based practice and extend the boundaries of knowledge through research; discriminate between valid discipline knowledge and questionable esoteric theory and practice
  • apply logical and rational processes to critically analyse problems and generate innovative solutions to psychological questions
  • access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information and evidence from a range of sources applicable to psychology
  • communicate effectively with individuals, groups and communities
  • select and effectively use appropriate technologies relevant to psychological research and practice
  • demonstrate ability for self directed learning and reflective practice
  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of international perspectives in psychology
  • demonstrate understanding and respect for human rights and cultural diversity
  • independently and collaboratively apply professional skills in an ethical manner

Why study Psychology

Highly ranked course

Curtin is ranked in the top 10 nationally for psychology, in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021.

Broad career options

Expand your career prospects by studying psychology as part of a double degree with Law, Human Resource ManagementHR Management and Industrial Relations, or Marketing.

Highly ranked course

Curtin received five stars for undergraduate outcomes of skills development, learner engagement and teaching quality in the field of psychology, in The Good Universities Guide (2022).

 

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. On graduation from the fourth year of the program, you are eligible to apply for an associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society.

For full general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia, you must complete a further two years of training. This can be via one of two pathways: An accredited 1-year master program and 1-year internship as a provisionally registered psychologist, followed by the National Psychology Exam; or an accredited 2-years master program.

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    At least Mathematics: Applications ATAR and at least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics or Psychology.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • UniReady

    If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

  • Certificate IV + English Competency

    The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency.

  • Indigenous applicant

    If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

  • STAT entry

    Written English and either MC Verbal or Quantitative

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements | Study (curtin.edu.au) before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

We do accept mid year enrolments. However please note that there may be restrictions on unit availability.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, but also includes those who may have completed their senior secondary studies with a TAFE or other VET provider within the same time frame. This includes applicants whose secondary education was undertaken interstate or overseas.

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Written English and either MC Verbal or Quantitative

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    At least Mathematics: Applications ATAR and at least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics or Psychology.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements | Study (curtin.edu.au) before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

We do accept mid year enrolments. However please note that there may be restrictions on unit availability.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, but also includes those who may have completed their senior secondary studies with a TAFE or other VET provider within the same time frame. This includes applicants whose secondary education was undertaken interstate or overseas.

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Written English and either MC Verbal or Quantitative

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    At least Mathematics: Applications ATAR and at least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics or Psychology.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements | Study (curtin.edu.au) before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

We do accept mid year enrolments. However please note that there may be restrictions on unit availability.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, but also includes those who may have completed their senior secondary studies with a TAFE or other VET provider within the same time frame. This includes applicants whose secondary education was undertaken interstate or overseas.

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to Curtin course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.

Note on fourth year

To switch into this course, you need to have:

  • completed an APAC accredited three-year degree, with a 60% average across second and third year.

Note on honours year

To switch into this course, you need to have:

  • completed an APAC accredited three-year degree, with a 70% average across second and third year.

 

Higher education course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to other higher education course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.

Note on fourth year

To switch into this course, you need to have:

completed an APAC accredited three-year degree, with a 60% average across second and third year.

Note on honours year

To switch into this course, you need to have:

completed an APAC accredited three-year degree, with a 75% average across second and third year.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    At least Mathematics: Applications ATAR and at least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics or Psychology.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6.0

Speaking

6.0

Reading

6.0

Listening

6.0

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the Inherent requirements | Study (curtin.edu.au) before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.

We do accept mid year enrolments. However please note that there may be restrictions on unit availability.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, but also includes those who may have completed their senior secondary studies with a TAFE or other VET provider within the same time frame. This includes applicants whose secondary education was undertaken interstate or overseas.

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool
Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and charges

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees

2023 Fee year:

$8,300*

Commonwealth supported

Fees are indicative first year only and are subject to passage of legislation.

*The indicative first-year fee is calculated on 200 credit points, which is the typical full-time study load per year, however some courses require additional study to be completed, in which case the fee will be higher than that shown.

This fee is a guide only. It may vary depending on the units you choose and does not include incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks – visit other fees and charges for more information. For more information on fees and to determine your eligibility for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, please visit fee basics or the Study Assist website

If you’re not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, please see information for international students.

Important fee information

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

2023

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

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  • Curtin course code: B-PSYCH
  • CRICOS code: 041070B
  • Last updated on: 21 September 2023