Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience combines foundational psychology with specialised cognitive neuroscience study. It is designed for students interested in understanding the relationship between the brain, cognition and human behaviour.

Key benefits include:

• Integrated study of psychology and cognitive neuroscience rather than studying the two disciplines separately.
• Study of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and neuroimaging techniques and their applications in clinical and research settings.
• Access to Swinburne's neuroimaging capabilities, including its single-site MEG, MRI and EEG facilities.
• Development of psychological research methods, survey design, research project management and neuroscientific research skills.
• Training in scientific report writing, research analysis and interpretation of cognitive-neuroscience data.
• A student-led Psychology Project that provides an opportunity to undertake an individual research project with potential industry links.
• The course is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
• Graduates can progress to the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours), which Swinburne identifies as the next step in the pathway towards registration as a psychologist.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The degree contains 300 credit points, consisting of psychology and cognitive-neuroscience study plus approved additional study. The course page states that the published study sequence is indicative and based on Semester 1 2026; unit availability and sequencing can change.

Year 1 – 100 credit points

Core units:

• Brain and Behaviour – PSY10007
• Foundations of Statistics – STA10003
• Fundamentals of Psychology – PSY10008
• Introduction to Research Methods – PSY10005

Cognitive neuroscience / psychology major units:

• Neuroscience – NEU10002
• Methods of Cognitive Neuroscience – PSY10009

The remaining Year 1 study consists of approved elective units.

Year 2 – 100 credit points

Major units:

• Developmental Psychology – PSY20007
• Sensation, Perception, and Attention – PSY20021
• Clinical & Experimental Applications of Neuroimaging – PSY20022
• Cognition and Human Performance – PSY20006
• Social Psychology – PSY20016
• Analysis of Variance and Regression – STA20006

The remaining study consists of approved electives.

Year 3 – 100 credit points

Major units:

• Psychology Project – PSY30003
• Psychology of Personality – PSY30008
• Hunger, Sex, and Sleep – PSY30017
• Measurement, Data, and Analytics in Cognitive Neuroscience – PSY30018
• History and Philosophy of Psychology – PSY30013
• Mental Health Diversity, Diagnosis and Treatment – PSY30016
• Developmental, Educational and Social Neuroscience – PSY30019
• Psychophysiology Project – NEU30006.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme is built around two integrated disciplines:

• Psychology
• Cognitive Neuroscience

The Psychology component covers areas including:

• Fundamentals of psychology
• Brain and behaviour
• Developmental psychology
• Social psychology
• Cognition and human performance
• Psychology of personality
• Mental health
• Psychology research methods
• Psychological measurement and analysis.

The Cognitive Neuroscience component covers:

• Neuroscience
• Methods of cognitive neuroscience
• Neuroimaging
• Sensation and perception
• Cognitive neuroscience data and analytics
• Developmental, educational and social neuroscience
• Psychophysiology.

For the additional 50 credit points, students can choose approved electives or a minor. Current handbook examples include:

• Mental Health Advanced
• Applied Psychology
• Data Science
• Applied Mathematics
• Biotechnology
• Biomedical Science.

Programme Highlights

• 3-year undergraduate psychology and cognitive neuroscience degree.
• CRICOS code: 119098H.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
• APAC-accredited degree.
• Integrated psychology and cognitive neuroscience curriculum.
• Access to neuroimaging learning opportunities using MEG, MRI and EEG facilities.
• Psychology Project and Psychophysiology Project.
• Study of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuroimaging and brain-behaviour relationships.
• Training in psychological and neuroscientific research methods.
• Guaranteed Work Integrated Learning through the Psychology Project.
• Optional 6-month or 12-month professional placement subject to competitive selection and applicable course-transfer requirements.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne lists career opportunities including:

• Research Scientist
• Rehabilitation Counsellor
• Training and Development Professional
• Disability Support Officer
• Drug and Alcohol Case Manager
• Psychologist, with further study.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current 2027 starts are 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027.
• The current application deadlines are 24 February 2027 and 28 July 2027 respectively.
• Current CRICOS code: 119098H.
• The course is APAC accredited.
• The course includes specific Informed Choices requirements relating to sensory abilities, mobility, professional conduct, duty of care, learning, communication and interpersonal interaction.
• Students are expected to demonstrate professional conduct, integrity, ethical reasoning and culturally appropriate behaviour in contexts covered by APAC accreditation.
• Some safety-critical and professional activities have limited flexibility for adjustment, while other components may be reasonably adjusted.
• Professional placement is competitive rather than automatic. International students who obtain a placement may need to change into the relevant Professional degree before undertaking it.
• Students considering a professional placement should account for possible visa and extended-study-duration implications.
• Maximum academic credit that can be granted is 150 credit points, normally 12 units.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this programme in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa (Subclass 500).

Key requirements include:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for the intended course.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Evidence of financial capacity where required.
• English-language evidence where required.
• Satisfaction of health and character requirements where applicable.
• Satisfaction of the Genuine Student requirement.