Key details
Duration
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Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
80Course code
Overview
Are you a high-achieving psychology student, who wants to distinguish yourself from other graduates, advance your knowledge of psychological assessment and intervention and research a topic you love? If you answered yes, then the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) could be your next step.
The Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) is an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited fourth-year program. The Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) course is designed to equip you with an in-depth understanding of the application of psychological theories to practice and advance your capacity to design, conduct, interpret, and communicate impactful research. Our program also provides students with in-demand interdisciplinary skills that are highly valued by employers in human-centred professions and to help people achieve their full potential. We understand the need for flexible study options, and our course is offered with full-time or part-time options and can be completed online.
We actively encourage applications from First Nations Australians who have completed an APAC accredited three-year undergraduate sequence in Psychology. We understand that undertaking further study can involve a significant financial challenge and we encourage First Nations applicants who have a passion for and commitment to the study of Psychology to contact the Faculty of Health in relation to seeking opportunities for financial support while studying.
Students in our Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) course will have a range of opportunities to learn, grow and develop during their studies, including:
- Support from passionate, dedicated academic supervisors who will help to build your research skills and capabilities, with helpful advice and guidance for those interested in pursuing a Higher Degree by Research (e.g., PhD) and academic career pathway
- Completing evidenced-based units taught by academic and clinical experts to help you develop the foundations for future professional practice and career
- Conducting independent research in an area of psychology (or other related discipline) that is of interest to you and aligns with our areas of focus
- Developing experience in how psychological science is disseminated, including the process of publishing your research findings in high-impact scientific journals
- Accessing state-of-the-art technology and facilities, including CDU's Wellness Centre within the Faculty of Health "Health Hub."
Career opportunities
This qualification provides you with the knowledge and skills to work in areas relevant to human health and wellbeing, such as health, counselling, education, sport, marketing, policy, forensic, youth work, justice systems, service delivery, human resource management, and research. Depending on your chosen area, you could work in a wide variety of contexts including state/territory and federal government agencies, community organisations, businesses, schools and universities.
Completing the Honours program gives you access to exciting specialised graduate and postgraduate studies. If you complete your Honours with at least a high 2A, you can also apply to continue your studies by undertaking specialised postgraduate courses including the Masters of Psychology (Clinical) or choose a career in research by embarking on a PhD.
Professional recognition
This course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). During your studies, you can also join the Australian Psychological Society.
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2026 is AUD $33,208.00. This equates to $4,151.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia. See 2026 Higher Education International Annual Tuition Fees.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study psychology at CDU?
Gain a deeper understanding of human behaviour and make a positive impact on the lives of other people when you study psychology with us. Becoming a psychologist is only one of many potential careers, with graduates finding a wide variety of roles in government organisations, community services, advertising and marketing, preventative health, and more.
- #1 in Australia for psychology employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Psychology at CDU?
Gain a deeper understanding of human behaviour and make a positive impact on the lives of other people when you study psychology with us. Becoming a psychologist is only one of many potential careers, with graduates finding a wide variety of roles in government organisations, community services, advertising and marketing, preventative health, and more.
- #1 in Australia for psychology employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Why study psychology at CDU?
Gain a deeper understanding of human behaviour and make a positive impact on the lives of other people when you study psychology with us. Becoming a psychologist is only one of many potential careers, with graduates finding a wide variety of roles in government organisations, community services, advertising and marketing, preventative health, and more.
- #1 in Australia for psychology employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Psychology at CDU?
Gain a deeper understanding of human behaviour and make a positive impact on the lives of other people when you study psychology with us. Becoming a psychologist is only one of many potential careers, with graduates finding a wide variety of roles in government organisations, community services, advertising and marketing, preventative health, and more.
- #1 in Australia for psychology employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
What will I study?
One half of the Honours year (50%) comprises advanced course work. The course work component entails four core units: two units in the first semester and two units in the second semester. Our team of lecturers will share their extensive knowledge in advanced applied research methodology, ethical issues and solutions in research and practice, psychological assessment, and interventions.
Course structure
The other half of your Honours course (50%) consists of a research project that will see you gain expertise and experience in the designing, conducting, and communication of research. You may be able to design and conduct an exciting independent scientific research project, or join a project that is underway. Staff will guide you through the research process as your supervisors. In the first semester, you will write up a research proposal and present your proposal to staff. In the second semester, you will work towards completing your project and then write it up in the style of a scientific journal article and present your findings at the Honours Research Conference. Some of our students have gone on to publish their articles in scientific journals.
The Honours Program must be completed either in 2 years of part-time study or 1 year of full-time study
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (6 unit) | 80cp | Compulsory Core unit totalling 80 credit points as detailed below: PSY414Psychological Assessment |
| 80cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time or part-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge, pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements for each unit.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| PSY793 Honours Thesis #20 | CO | PSY794 Honours Research Project #20 | CO |
| PSY417 Research Methods and Practice | CO | PSY414 Psychological Assessment | CO |
| PSY416 Ethics and Professional Issues | CO | PSY415 Psychological Intervention | CO |
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit |
Part-Time Study Plan
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of the following:
- an APAC accredited three-year undergraduate psychology sequence or the CDU Bachelor of Psychological Science degree; and
- a GPA of at least 5.0; and
- credit in units equivalent to PSY247/PSY248 Research Design and Analysis and PSY347/PSY337 Advanced Research Design and Analysis completed as part of an APAC accredited qualification.
Applicants who have completed CDU's WPSYG1 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Graduate Entry) plus a three-year bachelor degree are also eligible for entry.
Alternative assessment provisions are available for First Nations Australians who have completed an APAC accredited three-year undergraduate sequence in Psychology.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the standard English language proficiency requirements for Higher Education courses at Charles Darwin University (CDU) and provide evidence as part of their application.
You can meet the minimum English language requirement by providing evidence of one of following:
| Previous study in English |
|
| AHPRA Registration | Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English Test within two years of commencement, with the minimum scores shown below. |
| Primary language pathway | Completion of six years of primary and/or secondary schooling in a recognised English-speaking country*, including at least two years between years 7-12. |
Additional information about accepted tests and the evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
^English tests - approved tests and minimum scores
| Undergraduate and postgraduate pathway program requirement | Postgraduate requirement (HDR and coursework) | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP003 | Successful completion of EAP004 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below 6.0 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 | Overall minimum: 58 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 |
Information about test validity, accepted combined test results, IELTS One Skill Retake and evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
*Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
All previous studies must have been delivered in English (medium of instruction was English). Applicants who have studied at an institution from a coutnry on the extended list must provide confirmation that their study was completed within the last five years.
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
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CDU has been doing online study for so long they're really good at it. At CDU, everyone, online and on campus, is just a student.
Michelle
CDU student
CDU graduates have the best career and employment prospects. International students have ranked CDU 1st in Australia for learning and living experience
Hema
CDU student
CDU has been doing online study for so long they're really good at it. At CDU, everyone, online and on campus, is just a student.
Michelle
CDU student
CDU graduates have the best career and employment prospects. International students have ranked CDU 1st in Australia for learning and living experience
Hema
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Student profile
There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.
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