Honours degree of Bachelor of Psychology
ATAR/Course cut-off
View courses for International students.
Overview
Psychology is the science of the human mind. It looks at why people behave the way they do and what motivates behaviours and social trends.
This specialist degree includes a fourth year of study where you'll complete a research thesis under the supervision of academic staff. The aim is to align psychology honours students with world-class research supervisors who share the same interests.
You'll study advanced topics in psychology in this highly structured program. These include developmental psychology, biopsychology, cognitive processes, principles of psychological assessment and research methods in psychology.
Key features
- Best possible pathway toward becoming a professional psychologist.
- Many honours graduates become specialists in their field, either as professional psychologists or researchers.
- Start your academic career by completing an individual research project in your 'honours' year.
Minimum course duration
4 years full-time
Location
North Ryde
UAC Code
300126
Suitable for
If you are analytical and inquisitive, and are interested in pursuing further graduate study in psychology.
HECS Course fee
AUD $5,648 p.a.
Student amenities fee
Information on the Student services and amenities fee
Entry requirements
English language requirements
If you have completed the NSW HSC or equivalent you satisfy the English proficiency requirements.
For full information view the English proficiency requirements table (436 Kb).
Work experience requirements
What you will study
| General requirements | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Minimum number of credit points required for the degree | 96 |
| Minimum number of credit points at 100, 200 and 300 level in PSY | 54 |
| Minimum number of credit points required at 200 level or above | 45 |
| Minimum number of credit points required at 300 level | 24 |
| Minimum number of credit points required at 400 level | 24 |
| Completion of a designated People unit | |
| Completion of a designated Planet unit | |
| Completion of a designated Participation unit | |
| Completion of other specific minimum requirements as set out below |
Specific requirements
The following outlines the units (subjects) to be studied within this honours degree
| 100 level | Credit Points | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Required | PSY104 | Introduction to Psychology I | 3 | ||
| Required | PSY105 | Introduction to Psychology II | 3 | ||
| Required | PSY122 | Design and Statistics I | 3 | ||
| 200 level | Credit Points | ||||
| Required | PSY234 | Social and Personality Psychology | 3 | ||
| Required | PSY235 | Developmental Psychology | 3 | ||
| Required | PSY236 | Biopsychology and Learning | 3 | ||
| Required | PSY245 | Principles of Psychological Assessment | 3 | ||
| Required | PSY246 | Cognitive Processes I | 3 | ||
| Required | PSY247 | Perception I | 3 | ||
| Required | PSY248 | Design and Statistics II | 3 | ||
| 300 level | Credit Points | ||||
| Required | PSY399 | C/P | Psychological Science: Putting Theory into Practice | 3 | |
| Required | PSY349 | Design and Statistics III | 3 | ||
| Required | PSY351 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3 | ||
| Required | 15cp from | PSY units at 300 level | 15 | ||
| 400 level | Credit Points | ||||
| Required | Thesis | 12 | |||
| Required | Research and Design IV | 3 | |||
| Required | Ethical, Conceptual and Prof Issues | 3 | |||
| Required | 6cp from | PSY elective units at 400 level | 6 | ||
| Balance of credit points required (Electives) | 18 | ||||
| Total credit points required to satisfy this honours degree | 96 | ||||
Notes
- Units marked with a C are Capstone units.
- Units marked with a P are Participation units.
- The course information contained on this page is applicable for 2012 ONLY.
For more information please read the courses disclaimer.
Careers
Accreditation
All of our psychology degrees, with the exception of the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology Major) and the Bachelor of Science (Psychology Major) are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). This enables students to progress through a pathway of study towards registration as a psychologist.
B Psychology (Honours) is a four-year honours course designed to prepare students for entry into the profession of psychology. An initial group of students will be admitted into the degree in the first year based upon their UAI. Students enrolled in 300127 B Arts ? Psychology or 300129 B Science ? Psychology may transfer into B Psychology (Honours) at the end of their third year of full-time study or part-time equivalent providing they meet the entry requirements. Students initially enrolled in B Psychology (Honours) who do not satisfy these requirements will not be permitted to enter the fourth honours year but will be required to take out a B Arts?Psychology or B Science?Psychology degree.
After the fourth year, a further two years postgraduate training or supervised experience is required for registration as a psychologist.
Macquarie University offers the following postgraduate study options for registration as a psychologist in NSW:
- Two-year postgraduate masters degree in: Clinical Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology or Organisational Psychology
- Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Applied Psychology. This is a psychology registration program that assists fourth year Psychology graduates with supervised internship to complete their professional practice and be eligible for registration.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities are largely determined by the level of academic training with options available in:
- Business areas such as: human resources, training or marketing
- Educational institutions as a research assistant or report writer
- Employment in psychology related areas (But not under the title of "Psychologist")
- Family or community based organisations
- Government departments and agencies
- Health Services organisations
Employers
- Australian Institute of Criminology
- Centrelink
- Department of Community Services
- NSW Health
- Rehabilitation Centres
- Psychological research projects
Average starting salary
$43,000, but this can vary greatly.
Profiles
Our Students
Ashleigh Fong
"Everyone is incredibly friendly and always willing to help. All my lecturers have a huge passion for what they are teaching and this motivates the students to apply themselves to their studies. The lectures are always exciting and informative while the vast range of activities on campus caters for everyone."
Our Graduates
Alissa Beath
"I came to Macquarie to study psychology because it had the best reputation for psychology out of all the universities in Sydney.
The department had many world-renowned academics. I enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts - Psychology degree, and chose a number of varying units from other departments throughout my degree. I found that beneficial to gain other perspectives from other areas of study, and found it contributed to my psychology degree."
Our Expertise
Professor Ron Rapee
Professor Ron Rapee, Director of the Centre for Emotional Health, received two prestigious awards in 2009 - the Australian Psychological Society 2009 Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award (October 2009) - recognising the outstanding contribution Ron's work has made to the science of Psychology in Australia, which also follows on from Ron's recent award in August from the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy, where he was awarded the 2009 Distinguished Career Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Cognitive Behaviour Research and Therapy.
an education in the top two per cent of universities in the world, giving you an international recognised and respected degree
