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Develop expertise in analytical thinking and scientific research methods as you examine psychological theory, interpretation and application. Psychological science is vital to numerous professional areas including behaviour insights, marketing, experimental sciences, data interpretation and more. Continue your studies with Honours and Master-level degrees available to those wishing to pursue clinical or professional psychology practice.

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#1 in Queensland

for median graduate salary 2024 Good Universities Guide, UG Psychology

5 Stars

for student teacher ratio 2024 Good Universities Guide

Transferrable skills

Expand employability opportunities through elevated thinking

Townsville: January
Singapore: February, May, September

$34,960.00⁺

⁺estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible

Fees currently displayed are indicative only. 2024 fees will be uploaded by October, 2023.

3 years full-time

English (Units 3/4,C)

English language requirements

Band 1

If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course.

View the international entry requirements for this course

085452B

What to expect

Gain expertise in analytical thinking and scientific research methods relevant to a broad range of careers and further study.

Study a core program in Psychology along with additional electives to suit your interests. Choose from a range of specialised subjects, including forensic psychology, memory and cognition, cognitive neuroscience, psychopathology, intercultural psychology, and social psychology.

Your knowledge of psychological theory is highly applicable to professional practice in numerous areas including behaviour insights, marketing, experimental science, data interpretation and more. Combine this degree with business to broaden your skillset.

JCU Psychological Science graduates are innovative, critical thinkers who are widely-skilled and contribute valuably in their chosen fields.

View the handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Bachelor of Psychological Science.

Honours

The Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) degree is available for high-achieving students. It consists of extra study and the development of a personal research project and thesis. An Honours degree is usually essential for entry to research higher degrees. Refer to the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) Handbook for eligibility information. Complete an application through our Online Application Portal.

Career Opportunities

JCU Psychological Science graduates are sought-after professionals who excel in their chosen fields.

Graduates pursue careers in areas including private practice, academic and applied research settings, counselling services, law courts, police and defence forces, prisons, hospitals, and schools.

With further study, you could find employment as a clinical psychologist, counselling psychologist, educational psychologist, forensic psychologist, occupational psychologist or psychotherapist.

To become eligible for registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia, you are required to complete a minimum six-year sequence of education and supervised training. View the handbook for professional accreditation requirements.

Handbook

Handbook year	Information valid for students commencing in 2024
Course Code	112810
Course type	Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7)
Professional accreditation status	This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Graduates of this course who wish to become fully registered as a psychologist must complete an APAC accredited, Level 2, fourth year course (e.g., Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology), followed by the completion of an accredited Masters degree (e.g., Master of Professional Psychology, with one further year of supervised practice or a Master of Psychology [Clinical]). Please refer to the Pathways to Registration as a Psychologist on the APAC website for more information.
Owner	Academy
College	Healthcare Sciences

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course prerequisites	English (Units 3/4,C)
Minimum English language proficiency requirements	Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 1 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.
Additional selection requirements	Information published by JCU or otherwise made available to students when applying, may specify additional criteria to be considered in ranking applicants in order of merit if the number of applications exceeds a quota or other limit on the places made available for the course. Information provided by applicants during the application process and any other information obtained by JCU in the application process may be used by JCU to rank applicants in order of merit by reference to those additional criteria.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

72 credit points as per course structure

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Psychological Science, graduates will be able to:

Integrate a broad and coherent body of knowledge with depth in major theoretical perspectives and concepts, and philosophical and historical developments, in the core areas of psychology
Review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and evidence bases in the core areas of psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals including but not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Review and reflect on the methods and ethics of scientific investigation as applied to psychology
Exercise critical thinking and judgement in the design and conduct of scientific investigations to solve psychological questions with intellectual independence
Apply advanced English language and technological and numeracy skills to generate, interpret and communicate knowledge, data, arguments and research findings appropriate for a diversity of audiences
Adapt and apply research skills, psychological and cultural understanding, to investigate human behaviour in diverse contexts in regional, national and international communities including but not limited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for one's own learning and practice in collaboration with others.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements	Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please visit: Bachelor of Psychological Science.
Reasonable adjustments	All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

Level 1

PY1101:03 Exploring Psychology 1

PY1102:03 Exploring Psychology 2

PY1103:03 Critical Thinking in Psychology

PY1106:03 Communicating Psychology: Listening, Translating & Disseminating

Level 2

PY2103:03 Introduction to Scientific Approaches in Psychology

PY2107:03 Conducting and Interpreting Experimental Studies in Psychology

PY2111:03 Learning Processes, Behaviour and Performance

PY2112:03 Memory and Cognition

PY2101:03 Behavioural Neuroscience

PY2106:03 Developmental Psychology

Level 3

PY3101:03 Conducting and Interpreting Non-Experimental Studies in Psychology

PY3102:03 Social Psychology in Everyday Life

PY3103:03 Psychopathology

PY3107:03 Psychological Assessment

PY3108:03 Personality Psychology

OPTIONS

Select 12 credit points of any undergraduate subjects

PLUS

Select 6 credit points of specified PY level 2 subjects from List 1

PLUS

Select 9 credit points of specified PY level 3 subjects from List 2

List 1

PY2018:03 Intercultural Psychology and Cross Cultural Communication

PY2104:03 Health Psychology

PY2109:03 Environmental Psychology

PY2110:03 Intersections of Psychology and Law: Forensic Psychology

List 2

PY3104:03 Principles of Counselling

PY3105:03 Workplace Psychology

PY3106:03 Historical Narratives of Modern Psychology

PY3109:03 Cognitive Neuroscience

PY3201:03 Applied Psychology Internship

PY3202:03 Applied Psychology Project

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
JCU Singapore
JCU Townsville

Candidature

Expected time to complete	3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Maximum time to complete	7 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites	Must successfully complete all level 1 requirements before attempting any level 2 subjects. Must successfully complete 50% (12 credit points) of level 2 subjects before attempting any level 3 subject.
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	No
Special assessment requirements	Nil
Professional accreditation requirements	Graduates of this course who wish to become fully registered as a psychologist must complete an APAC accredited, Level 2, fourth year course (e.g., Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology), followed by the completion of an accredited Masters degree (e.g., Master of Professional Psychology, with one further year of supervised practice or a Master of Psychology [Clinical]). Please refer to the Pathways to Registration as a Psychologist on the APAC website for more information.
Supplementary exam for final subject	Not applicable

Credit

Eligibility	Students may apply for credit transfer for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure.
Maximum allowed	48 credit points
Currency	Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.
Expiry	Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 17 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the candidate has not completed this course.
Other restrictions	A maximum of 9 credit points of credit may be granted at level 3. Up to 24 credit points may be granted only to applicants who have been awarded a Diploma of Higher Education (Psychological Science).

Award Details

Award title	BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Approved abbreviation	BPsychSc
This is a joint degree	No
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Not applicable - this course does not have majors
Exit with lesser award	Students who have completed 24 credit points of their course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Diploma of Tertiary Studies. Students who have completed 48 credit points of their professional course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Associate Degree of Health Sciences.
Course articulation	Not applicable
Special awards	Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Honours

Honours availability

Available as an additional 24 credit points of study [end-on]

Eligibility

Completion of an AQF Level 7 bachelor degree that includes an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council approved three-year sequence in psychology completed within the past 10 years; and a minimum program GPA of 5.5; or

Completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council approved bridging degree that achieves foundational competencies within the past 10 years; and a minimum program GPA of 5.5.

Special note: Applicants for the 2022 or 2023 intakes that have completed a JCU AQF Level 7 bachelor degree that includes an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council approved three-year sequence in psychology within the past 10 years, and that do not meet the above–stated entry requirement, may be assessed as a transitional arrangement under the previous entry requirement of a credit average (GPA 5.0) across PY2103, PY2107 and a minimum of a distinction average (GPA 6.0) across 15 credit points of level 3 PY subjects, including PY3101.

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD34,960.00

Courses are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

A Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependants accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.

Pathways to JCU

Consult the admission requirements section in the Handbook for prerequisites and pathways into this course.

How to apply

Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.

Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.

Student

Patrick Twivey

Bachelor of Psychological Science

I chose to study at JCU as I knew of the great reputation it has for job success and educational outcomes. The small class sizes mean that the lecture and tutorial staff are more accessible if you have any questions. One highlight so far is learning about biological processes and how these drive behaviour.
Student

Luana Healey

Bachelor of Psychological Science

I was impressed with the variety of subjects while studying the Bachelor of Psychological Science, including Forensic Psychology and Personality Psychology. My experience with Indigenous staff and peers has been a highlight throughout my university years and has provided rewarding and culturally strong opportunities.
Alumni

Julie Marshall

Bachelor of Psychological Science

The highlights of my course are the lifelong friendships that I have made with classmates, and the connections that I have made with those already working in different areas of psychology. Thinking about studying psychological science at JCU? Do it!
Employer

Ann Nicholls

Manager Offender Development, Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, Custodial Operations

It is great having JCU graduates on staff. The JCU school of Psychology clearly has experienced and knowledgeable lecturers, tutors and staff. The graduates bring a solid knowledge base, enthusiasm and energy to grow and build on their study, plus a genuine care to support the team around them.