Introduction
Fast facts
Australian students
UAC code: Newcastle - 483970, Central Coast - 483980
Start dates:
Semester 1 - 22 February 2021
Semester 2 - 19 July 2021
Mode of delivery: Face to Face
Duration: 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent up to 8 years maximum.
Programme code: 40099
International students
Location: Newcastle, Central Coast
Start dates:
Semester 1 - 22 February 2021
Semester 2 - 19 July 2021
English language proficiency:
IELTS overall minimum - 7.0
IELTS section minimum - 7.0
Duration: 3 years full-time.
Mode of delivery: Face to Face
International entry requirement: Admission to our undergraduate degree programmes usually requires successful completion of a senior secondary school qualification similar to the Higher School Certificate (HSC), the highest educational award in New South Wales schools.
Programme code: 40099
CRICOS code: 095149D
Study psychological science
Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour, the human brain and its effect on the way we act and why. This fascinating area of study covers a broad range of areas such as mental illness, interventions, the biology of the brain, memory, decision making, as well as developmental, social and personality studies.
In addition to learning about a diverse array of psychology fields, the Bachelor of Psychological Science at The University of Newcastle also encompasses the statistical analysis and research methodologies to provide you with comprehensive skills that can be utilised across a variety of career paths. Your study of psychology will help you become an expert in human behaviour and give you the skills to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
Why study with us?
Hands-on learning - you will have access to guest lectures from practising psychologists, problem-based workshops and video material to give you a well-rounded perspective of the range of areas within psychology.
87.3% of undergraduate Psychology students are satisfied with teaching quality (Student Experience Survey 2019)
We are globally recognised for excellence in scientific research - you will learn from award-winning academics who are research leaders in their field, including Professor Scott Brown who was named Australia’s leading researcher in cognitive science (The Australian’s 2019 Research magazine). The University of Newcastle's top researchers in psychology teach into your programme and you will have opportunities for one-on-one discussions with some of the top researchers in the country.
Graduate with a distinct employment advantage - Graduates have the opportunity to go on to complete an Honours year, which is considered by employers as an added skill and has been used by previous graduates to pursue higher-level positions and salaries.
Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Psychological Science (Advanced) webinar
This webinar took place Wednesday 8 July 2020
Join Academics and Student Ambassadors to learn about the Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Psychological Science (Advanced). Discover what you will study throughout the degree, work-integrated learning opportunities and career outcomes.
What you will study
The Bachelor of Psychological Science covers a wide range of subject areas. In your first year, you will examine the influences on behaviour and personality plus the mechanisms of behaviour such as emotions, perception, learning and memory. Second-year expands on these topics to include areas of the biological basis of behaviour, while in the third year you will study core topics in more depth. Throughout the degree you will learn about:
Research methodology
Statistics
Cognition and information processing
Social psychology and personality
Clinical and abnormal behaviour
Neuroscience
Psychopharmacology
Perceptual processes and learning theory
Developmental psychology
Depending on your marks throughout your degree you will have the option to study Honours. Honours give you a good research base to progress on to postgraduate study and can also boost your employment prospects. We are one of only a handful of universities to offer a Psychological Science (Honours) degree and this gives you a better chance to pursue higher positions and salaries after you graduate.
Career opportunities
Professionals in the field of psychology work in a large range of areas.
If you want to practise as a clinical psychologist you will need to complete additional postgraduate study after your Bachelor of Psychological Science degree - Master of Clinical Psychology.
Some typical roles include:
Careers Counsellor
Case Worker
Juvenile Justice Officer
Market Researcher
Mediator
Practising Psychologist
After successful completion of this degree, graduates can:
Work with the law, police services and in correctional services
Undertake further study
Following is a list of possible areas you could move into after this degree:
We are currently working to resolve some technical issues that are preventing the display of the Career Opportunities information for this degree. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Professional recognition
APAC Australian Psychology Accreditation CouncilThe Bachelor of Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
Accreditation ensures graduates receive a high-quality education that will allow them to employ their psychological knowledge and skills in the community.
Practical experience
Our Newcastle (Callaghan) and Central Coast (Ourimbah) campuses offer psychology labs that are stocked with equipment to enhance your practical skills and theoretical studies.
The degree includes a pre-professional strand of courses each year, which will help you prepare for professional practice. These courses involve guest lectures from practising psychologists, problem-based workshops and video material to provide an accurate picture of the range of areas within psychology.
If you choose to do a fourth year of Honours, you will conduct a major research project on a specific area of psychology. This gives you practical, hands-on research experience - an essential part of the psychology discipline.
Additional work-integrated learning opportunities may include School of Psychology research spaces, the University of Newcastle Psychology Community Clinic and external professional agencies.
