Bachelor of Psychological Science
Uncover our inner workings
Are you fascinated by the human mind? Do you wonder what motivates our behaviour?
Psychological science investigates the way people think, behave, feel and learn. It studies processes of the human mind— including personality, intelligence and memory—so that we can better understand ourselves. Study at South Australia's #1 university for Psychology*.
What will you do?
Our Bachelor of Psychological Science nurtures creativity, analysis and communication skills. You will:
- learn about human development and the biological bases of behaviour
- investigate the mechanics of perception and learning
- explore the nature of motivation and emotion
- gain experience with psychological tests
- develop skills for counselling
- choose between over 35 majors and electives from related disciplines
- design and undertake meaningful research projects.
Where could it take you?
You could become a social psychologist, doing large-scale research to change the way we go about our lives. You might work in community services with people of all ages and backgrounds, or in market research and advertising. Perhaps you’ll go on to further study in the field and become a qualified psychologist.
Graduate entry
A graduate entry pathway is available. Learn more.
Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.
*Times Higher Education World Rankings by Subject, 2024.
^Australian Government, Labour Market Insights, 2023.
Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 394001, 3BG003 |
|---|---|
| 2023 CSP ATAR | 65.55 |
| 2023 CSP IB | 24 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR | 80 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - IB | 29.5 |
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February and July |
Selection Criteria
| Recent Secondary Education | Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
|---|---|
| Higher Education Study | You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. Graduate entry pathway - A completed AQF Level 7 Bachelors degree or equivalent (or higher) that does not include psychology or does not include psychology beyond Level I with the exception of a completed degree that includes the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited Psychology sequence that was awarded 10 or more years ago. Pre-requisite: Psychology 1A and Psychology 1B or equivalent (minimum pass grade). Applicants who do not have the prerequisite psychology studies or whose level 1 psychology was completed more than ten years ago must attend an intensive bridging course, Introductory Psychology. Applicants who require the Introductory Psychology course should apply for either Summer Semester or Trimester 2 depending on their preferred start in either Semester 1 or 2. Please note that if the Bachelor’s degree was completed more than ten years ago, the amount of credit available may vary/be reduced. |
| Vocational Education and Training (VET) study | You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Work and life experience | To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as a pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Other Entry Pathways | |
2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
| ATAR (raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors) |
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer | 56.4 |
|---|---|---|
| Median ATAR to receive an offer | 81.85 | |
| Highest ATAR to receive an offer | 98.95 | |
| Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 65.55 |
| Median Selection Rank to receive an offer | 85.75 | |
| Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 99.95 | |
| Minimum eligibility score | 65 | |
| Additional criteria considered | Selection rank only | |
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Admissions Transparency Data
Student Profile
Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023 Number of students Percentage of all students (A) Higher Education study
(includes a bridging or enabling course)76 37.4% (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study <5 N/A (C) Work and life experience
(admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)6 3.0% (D) Recent secondary education: - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
101 49.8% - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
N/A N/A - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
5 2.5% International students 14 6.9% All students 203 100.0% - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
Ready to Apply?
Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.
Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.
ApplyFees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees |
Commonwealth-supported place: $10,255
|
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
More information on Student Contribution Amounts.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.
Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.
To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships
To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships
Careers
Career Readiness
- human resource management
- advertising and marketing
- evaluation and applied research
- mental health services
- youth work
- family and social services
- public and private sector management
- juvenile justice and corrective services
- relationship counselling
- residential care worker
- private sector administration and management
- correctional services
Graduates from the Bachelor of Psychological Science work across a range of jobs and sectors, in addition to the option of engaging in further study to hold a career as a Psychologist. Graduates from this degree can look in areas such as research assistants, recruitment agencies, government agencies such as Centerlink, rehabilitation agencies, marketing companies, human resources or any type of area that can utilise skills in data analysis, critical thinking, report writing, time management, communication and presentation.
The Bachelor of Psychological Science leads to a variety of careers, some of which will require further study.
Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.
The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Graduate Attributes
The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.- Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
- Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Professionalism and leadership readiness
- Intercultural and ethical competency
- Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
- Digital capabilities
- Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Professional Accreditation
This program has been accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. Graduates who have completed this program will be eligible to apply for an honours year, followed by a two-year postgraduate qualification. This sequence of study will lead to professional registration as a psychologist.
Potential careers
Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:
Mental Health Worker; Animal Behaviourist; Ministerial Adviser; Parliamentary Member; Development Officer; Project Officer; Welfare Officer; Marketer / Marketing Manager; Human Resource Manager; Psychologist ...
Degree Structure
In the first year, students are able to choose four elective courses from areas such as arts, health and medical sciences, sciences, computer science and commerce, alongside the four core psychology courses.
At the beginning of second year, students either select a second major or continue to choose from a wide variety of electives alongside five core psychology courses.
In the third year, students complete four core psychology courses, including a compulsory research methodology course. The other four courses can be selected from psychology courses or electives. For students who chose to undertake a second major, the electives in third year will consist of second major courses.
The main objective of the degree is to provide students with a thorough education in the scientific discipline of psychology, while also introducing students to the application of the discipline. Since psychology is an evidence-based discipline, students will also have an opportunity to find out about the range of methodologies employed to collect and analyse data.
The Bachelor of Psychological Science enables students to graduate with a psychology specialty and a second specialty chosen from more than 35 available topics.
On completion of this degree, students are eligible to apply for an honours year in psychology at the University of Adelaide as well as other universities around the country that offer honours programs accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. It should be noted that an honours year in psychology is required to gain provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.
To become a registered psychologist, students need to complete a 2-year Masters program. At the University of Adelaide we offer three areas of specialisation; Master of Psychology (Clinical), Master of Psychology (Health) and Master of Psychology (Organisational and Human Factors).
Academic Program Rules
The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.
Areas of Specialisation
Students have the option of completing a second major in the Bachelor of Psychological Science. Along with their core psychology courses students can choose from one of the following areas:
- Addiction Science
- Anthropology
- Art History
- Australian Studies
- Classics
- Computer Science
- Creative Writing
- Criminology
- Cultural Studies
- Digital Humanities
- English
- French Studies
- Gender Studies
- Genetics
- Geography, Environment and Population
- German Studies
- History
- Human Neuroscience
- Indigenous Knowledges and Society
- International Development
- Italian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Linguistics
- Management
- Marketing
- Media
- Music
- Philosophy
- Politics and International Relations
- Population Health
- Sociology
- Spanish Studies
Find out more about these majors here
Example Study Plan
To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Psychological Science, the student must satisfactorily complete a program of study consisting of core Psychology courses.
A second major, as specified in the Bachelor of Psychological Science Academic Program Rules, is optional and not a compulsory requirement for this degree. Students choosing a second major must also complete electives to the value of 15 units, with a combined total of not less than 72 units.
Students choosing not to complete a second major must complete electives up to the value of 33 units with a combined total of not less than 72 units. Students have the option of completing all six Level 3 core psychology cores.
| Year 1 | S1 | PSYCHOL 1000 Psychology IA |
PSYCHOL 1005 Research Methods in Psychology (BPsychSc) |
Open Elective Level I | Open Elective Level I |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | PSYCHOL 1001 Psychology IB |
PSYCHOL 1006 Psychology Skills & Applications |
Open Elective Level I | Open Elective Level I | |
| Year 2 | S1 | PSYCHOL 2004 Doing Research in Psychology |
PSYCHOL 2006 Foundations of Perception & Cognition |
**PSYCHOL 2008 Big Picture Psychology: Global Challenges, Psychological Perspectives |
Open Elective Level II |
| S2 | PSYCHOL 2007 Psychology in Society |
PSYCHOL 2005 Foundations of Health & Lifespan |
Open Elective Level II | Open Elective Level II | |
| Year 3 | S1 | Two from the following three PSYCHOL 3022 Individual Differences, Personality & Assess PSYCHOL 3027 Psychology, Science & Society PSYCHOL 3026 Learning & Behaviour |
Open Elective Level III OR PSYCHOL 3028 Psychology Internship (optional) (Semester 1 or 2) PSYCHOL 3029 Research Internship (optional) (Semester 1 or 2) *Offered in second OR third year (more detail here) |
Open Elective Level III | |
| S2 | PSYCHOL 3020 Doing Research in Psych: Advanced (compulsory) One from the following two PSYCHOL 3021 Health & Lifespan Developmental Psych PSYCHOL 3023 Perception & Cognition |
Open Elective Level III | Open Elective Level III | ||
*Choose three from the five core psychology courses offered at level 3.
** This course can be done in either semester 1 or 2
Concurrent degrees
Students are able to study a second degree concurrently with their Bachelor of Psychological Science degree. This will take four years. Credit will be granted towards both degrees for Level 1 and 2 courses. Students will need to complete a full load at Level 3 for both the Bachelor of Psychological Science and for the concurrent degree.
Assessment
Related Degrees
Further Study
Graduates of the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences may consider further study to advance their knowledge and skills, to become a registered Psychologist or to enter into research
Testimonial
The degree has let me explore all of these facets of psychology I hadn't considered before. You really get to see the way psychology is integrated into the world more than you think.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
Last updated: Thursday, 6 Jun 2024
