Course summary

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, and how they influence behaviour. Psychological research seeks to identify those mechanisms that explain behaviour in various contexts. Psychologists use research findings to help us understand who we are and how we think, feel, act and change. By understanding these aspects of human behaviour, psychologists are able to promote wellbeing and understand psychological problems affecting people. Psychologists' clients include children, adults, couples, families and organisations.

This degree

The Bachelor of Psychological Science is a three-year undergraduate degree. You can make a choice to deepen your studies in psychology with the objective of becoming a registered psychologist or you can take complementary studies from UOW's wide variety of disciplines to develop other career pathways where knowledge of psychology is advantageous.

Students with an excellent academic record and an extended major in psychology can apply for entry to the additional one-year Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) degree, a prerequisite to professional registration.

If you combine your studies with a second major, or minor options from Social Science, Arts, Commerce or Science, you can prepare for a wide variety of careers involving human resources, marketing, social research, work health and safety and many more.

What you will study

During this degree you will study the foundations of psychology and learn about research methods and statistics. You will also undertake study in the following areas:

• personality
• biological psychology and learning
• cognitions and perception
• development and social psychology, and
• psychology of abnormality

Pathway to Teaching

You may also take a minor in Education Studies and complete the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (UAC: 753225).

This pathway degree offers priority entry to the Master of Teaching (Primary) and a reduced study load while undertaking your master’s degree. You’ll graduate with an undergraduate and postgraduate degree, as well as the qualification and skills to teach children aged 5-12 years.

If you want to be a School Counsellor you need to be a trained teacher as well as a registered psychologist. The pathway degree in Bachelor of Psychological Science will not qualify you for Psychology honours and professional registration, but will enable you to reach that goal quickly in the future with some additional study.