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CC43 - Bachelor of Psychological Science

Overview

Optional Residential School

Some units in this course require you to attend an optional Residential School or Work Integrated Learning. Please see Course Features in the Getting Started tab for further information.

Course Overview

The aim of this course is to give you a comprehensive overview of the scientific discipline of psychology and its applications. The course is delivered in accordance with the foundational (level one) competencies for three-year undergraduate psychology programs as specified by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). You will acquire an understanding of the underlying principles, theories and concepts within the discipline. In addition, you will develop knowledge of the range of core research areas that make up the discipline, and an understanding of the methodologies and statistical techniques used by researchers for information gathering and analysis. There will be opportunities for you to explore applied and professional uses of psychology. In addition, you will be introduced to psychological theory, research, and applied and professional uses of psychology in an ethical and culturally responsive context.

Upon completion of this course, you will have a highly marketable qualification. This course is universally acknowledged as an indication of competence and achievement in understanding human thought and behaviour that can be applied in a variety of people-oriented vocations. Graduating with this qualification, however, will not allow you to call yourself a 'psychologist'. This requires further study involving an honours course (4th year of study) and then an accredited Psychology Board of Australia pathway.

Successful completion of an accredited three-year psychology sequence of study will mean you are eligible to apply for a competitive entry position in the 4th year of study through our honours course (CC42). Honours level study will prepare you for either the coursework necessary for conditional registration as a psychologist in Australia and/or research higher degree studies in psychology.

If you have successfully completed the first year of the course, but do not wish to continue in the course you may request to exit the course with a Diploma in Behavioural Science.

Note: If you already have an existing bachelor's degree and wish to obtain an accredited three-year psychology sequence, consider enrolling in CF59 Bachelor of Science (Psychology).

Career Information

Not everyone with a psychology degree goes on to work as a registered psychologist. People with a psychology degree are employed in a wide and diverse range of areas including (but not limited to) youth work, disability, rehabilitation, mental health, career counselling, social work, human resources, management, counselling, child development, education, forensic, health and coaching.

 

Graduating with this degree will not allow you to call yourself a 'psychologist'. This requires further study involving an honours degree (such as our Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)- CC42), and then an accredited Psychology Board of Australia pathway (for more details see http://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Registration.aspx).

 

Adding a fourth year of study will also prepare you for research higher degree studies in psychology (either Masters by Research, or a Doctor of Philosophy). These pathways involve undertaking a unique supervised research project that provide you with the opportunity to develop and consolidate your research skills, and apply them in practical, real-world settings.

Course Details
Duration 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 144
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Undergraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) BPsychSci
AQF Level Level 7: Bachelor Degree
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2025
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $13,152
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $21,564
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,520
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $35,040
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $12,632
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $20,706
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,520
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $35,040
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $7,774
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $15,840
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $31,680
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $8,016
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $31,680
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $15,840

Admission Codes

Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 3 - 2026

Online

Term 2 - 2026

Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2026

Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton

Term 3 - 2025

Online

Term 2 - 2025

Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2025

Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton

Term 3 - 2024

Online

Term 2 - 2024

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2024

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 3 - 2023

Online

Term 2 - 2023

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2023

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 3 - 2022

Online

Term 2 - 2022

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2022

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 3 - 2021

Online

Term 2 - 2021

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2021

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 3 - 2020

Online

Term 2 - 2020

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 1 - 2020

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton
Townsville

Term 3 - 2015

Distance

Term 2 - 2015

Bundaberg
Distance
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2015

Bundaberg
Distance
Rockhampton
Show All

International Availability

Term 3 - 2026

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2026

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2026

Rockhampton

Term 3 - 2025

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2025

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2025

Rockhampton

Term 3 - 2024

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2024

Online
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2024

Rockhampton

Term 3 - 2023

Online

Term 2 - 2023

Online
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2023

Online
Rockhampton

Term 3 - 2022

Online

Term 2 - 2022

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Online
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2022

Adelaide
Bundaberg
Cairns
Online
Rockhampton

Term 3 - 2021

Online

Term 2 - 2021

Bundaberg
Online

Term 1 - 2021

Bundaberg
Online

Term 3 - 2020

Online

Term 2 - 2020

Bundaberg
Online

Term 1 - 2020

Bundaberg
Online

Term 3 - 2015

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 2 - 2015

Bundaberg

Term 1 - 2015

Bundaberg
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
Entry Requirements - What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
Rank Threshold SR 62 | ATAR 62
Academic Requirements

English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent

English Language Proficiency Requirements:

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion of:

  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • An Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) diploma level qualification, or
  • Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA 4.0

 completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subset; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Requires 550 or better overall and minimum TWE score of 4.5 (Paper Based Test), or 75 or better overall and no score less than 17 (Internet Based Test); or
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46; or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

International students should visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Assumed Knowledge

None

Security Requirements
None.
Health Requirements
None.
Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards CV71 - Diploma of Behavioural Science
Accreditation
  • Professional Practice: Core
    Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

    The CQUniversity Bachelor of Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. As such, successful completion of this course will mean that you are qualified to apply for an APAC-accredited 4th year Psychology (Honours) course.

Residential School Requirements

Optional Residential School There is a compulsory residential school for PSYC13024 Qualitative Research Methodology. PSYC13024 is an elective unit, so the course can be completed without attending a residential school.
Click here to view all Residential Schools

Practicum/Work Placement

Not applicable

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 633
2023 717
2022 820
2021 800
2020 793
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.

If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.

Ethical Behaviour

Examples are:

  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures, and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Treating personal information obtained as private and confidential.
  • Respecting an individual's/group's diversity by demonstrating sensitivity to religious, cultural and individual differences.
  • Demonstrating an ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and use an ethical decision making model to take responsibility to ethically resolve dilemmas.
  • If undertaking research, preparing an application for the university ethics committee to conduct a research study.


Behavioural Stability

Examples are:

  • Being reflective with personal behaviours appropriate for professional performance and being positive and receptive to processing constructive supervisor/lecturer feedback or criticism.
  • Interacting with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures in a calm and composed manner in difficult to deal with situations.
  • Successfully processing your own emotions and behaviour when dealing with potentially emotionally label people in a wide range of professional environments.
  • Maintaining behavioural stability through successfully distinguishing your own personal behaviours, experiences and emotions from those of others (e.g., colleagues, clients, research participants).


Legal Compliance

Examples are:

  • Complying with relevant child protection and safety legislation, mandatory reporting requirements and any other notifiable concern to your field placement supervisor.
  • Complying with the requirements for student registration with AHPRA or Australian Psychological Society (APS).
  • Complying with the policies and practices of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
  • Complying with university and workplace policy around the use of social media, online discussion forums, email and other electronic forms of communication.
  • If undertaking research, complying with the legal stipulations contained within an approved ethics application when conducting research with humans or animals.


Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

Examples are:

  • Verbally communicating your professional psychology practice knowledge and skills with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness in a wide variety of contexts.
  • Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual, group or workplace.
  • Framing and leading discussion with clients and/or research participants to collect information and provide instruction.
  • Discussing a client’s progress with other professionals.
  • Using appropriate facial expressions; eye contact, being mindful of personal space boundaries, and a range of body movements and gestures.
  • Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues that indicate a change in the emotional state of a client.
  • Competently and appropriately producing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner, and with correct grammar, punctuation and correct referencing to the required academic standards.
  • Expressing complex and detailed information and knowledge into a logical and legible report, in a timely manner that meets professional standards and clearly communicates the intended message.
  • Accurately conveying and documenting information in a written form that meets legal and professional requirements.
  • Where part of your course, preparing a document based on a body of research conducted under the supervision of an academic staff member.
  • Competently using a desktop operating system (e.g., Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X).
  • Access a computer and having sufficient computer skills to engage in online learning, reading and responding as required to emails, and completing relevant assessments for the course.
  • Regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email for communication with peers and lecturers.
  • using a variety of computer programs to analyse, manipulate and display scientific information applicable to your course of study.


Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

Examples are:

  • Conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
  • Completing academic learning activities and assessment tasks, and perform professional skills within reasonable set time frames.
  • Where part of your course, successfully conducting an independent research project that incorporates the cognitive knowledge and skills gained from the course and is appropriate for a psychology graduate.
  • Paraphrasing, summarising and referencing in accordance with appropriate academic conventions associated with the referencing format used by the School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences (e.g., American Psychological Association [APA]).
  • Producing contextually appropriate text which meets professional and legal requirements.
  • Reading and accurately interpreting information related to clients and/or research participants, as well as convey a spoken message accurately and effectively in a professional setting.
  • Demonstrating competency in applying accurate mathematical knowledge and skills to score and interpret psychological test data.
  • Applying research methodologies in a variety of research contexts.
  • Conducting and interpreting statistical analysis using software such as SPSS, Nvivo, or R.


Relational Skills

Examples are:

  • Rapidly building rapport with people from all walks of life, as well as with colleagues and/or research participants and/or clients in the professional context.
  • Maintaining positive working relationships when under stressful circumstances.
  • Maintaining confidentiality in all contexts.


Reflective Skills

Examples are:

  • Reflecting critically on topics taught during the course.
  • Identifying when your practice may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions, outside one's scope or expertise, and be able to reflect and learn from this experience.
  • Reflecting on situations that may be difficult and sensitive.
  • Identifying, reflecting and learning from successful situations as well as opportunities for improvement.


Sustainable Performance

Examples are:

  • Maintaining the appropriate level of commitment to coursework tasks, and actively participating in activities related to the course, including group work.
  • Undertaking examinations and on-line quizzes with adequate, sustained levels of physical energy and concentration.
  • Remaining focused and performing consistently during tasks.
  • Being aware of and managing your own workloads and personal commitments outside of university to ensure sustainable performance of course requirements.
  • Being aware of and managing your own stress and/or anxieties so that sustainable performance can be ensured within course requirements.


Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Utilise a scientific approach to apply knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and principles across the core topics of psychology
  • 2. Analyse and critique theory and research within the discipline of psychology
  • 3. Exercise reflexiveness and cultural responsiveness to the diversity of individuals, groups, organisations, and communities
  • 4. Communicate effectively through a variety of approaches, individually and in collaboration with others
  • 5. Identify and apply research methods and statistical analyses to a range of research problems and contexts
  • 6. Articulate an understanding of appropriate values and ethics
  • 7. Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for your own learning and practice that will sustain personal and professional development.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas
4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas
6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters
KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner
Learning Outcomes
Please refer to the Core Structure Learning Outcomes
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
  2. Complete electives
Number of units: 16 Total credit points: 96

Graduating with this degree will not allow you to call yourself a 'psychologist'. This requires further study involving an honours degree (4th year of study), and then an accredited Psychology Board of Australia pathway.

Computing Requirements

It is a requirement of enrolment in this course that students have access to the CQUniversity website. Students may be required to undertake various components of study in the course using email and the Internet.

It is strongly recommended that students have access to broadband connection or higher in order to access online student resources that would include, but not limited to, e-mail, internet, video streaming, electronic assessment submission.

To satisfy the requirements of the award, students must complete 24 units/144 units of credit in accordance with the following:

  • A minimum of 96 units of credit (16 units) in psychology, including:

o 24 psychology units of credit (4 units) at year 1;

o a minimum of 30 psychology units of credit (5 units) at year 2, including PSYC12047 and PSYC12048;

o a minimum of 36 psychology units of credit (6 units) at year 3, including PSYC13015, PSYC13017 and PSYC13020;

o a total of 72 units of credit (12 units) at year two and three psychology combined

  • A minimum of 1 unit (6 units of credit) relating to Indigenous studies (INDG19015 or INDG19016)
  • A total of 7 elective units (42 units of credit)

N.B. If a student takes only the minimum 5 psychology units at year 2, they must take 7 units at year 3 in order to make the full load of 12 psychology units at year 2 and 3.

Except with the approval of the Head of Course, all students must satisfy all unit prerequisites shown on the unit in the Handbook.

After completing three years of full-time studies or equivalent within this course, students who have satisfied the above criteria for the first three years (including the required electives) and have a GPA of 5.5 or above for year 2 and year 3 core and elective psychology units, will have the option to enrol in our Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons) course. For the purposes of entry into Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) course, calculation of GPA will be based on the best 10 accredited psychology units at year 2 and year 3 (adhering to the requirements outlined above regarding number at second and third year and compulsory units). This offer applies only for enrolment in the academic year following completion of the Bachelor of Psychological Science and students must register their intention to enrol within three to four weeks of certification of Term 2 grades.

Those eligible students who do not take up the offer will need to apply for a competitive place for enrolment in future years.

Compulsory Core Psychology Units

Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
PSYC11008 Biological Foundations of Psychology
PSYC11012 Research Methods 1
PSYC11009 Fundamentals of Psychology 2: Psychological Literacy
PSYC11011 Personal and Professional Development
PSYC12048 Research Methods 2
PSYC12047 Introduction to Data Analysis
PSYC13017 Foundations of Psychopathology
PSYC13015 Research Methods 3
PSYC13020 Individual Differences and Assessment

Year 2 Units

Available units
Students must complete 3 from the following units:
PSYC12010 Psychology Across the Lifespan
PSYC12013 Personality
PSYC12012 Physiological Psychology
PSYC12014 Critical Social Psychology

Year 3 Units

Available units
Students must complete 3 from the following units:
PSYC13016 Cognitive Psychology
PSYC13021 Forensic Psychology
PSYC13022 Learning & Behaviour Modification
PSYC13023 Educational Psychology
PSYC13024 Qualitative Research Methodology
PSYC13025 Applied Sports Psychology

NOTE: To meet the course’s psychology study requirements of a total of 72 units of credit (12 units) at year 2 and 3 as detailed above, students must undertake 1 additional unit from the year 2 or year 3 unit options as listed above.

Number of units: 7 Total credit points: 42

None.

Students undertake further study in 7 elective units (42 units of credit). Elective units may be chosen from the additional psychology units provided in this course or any undergraduate 6 credit point unit from CQUniversity provided prerequisite and corequisite requirements are met.

Students must complete one of the following units relating to Indigenous studies (INDG19015 Aboriginal Cultures and Country; INDG19016 Contemporary Indigenous Issues).

Available units
Students must complete 1 from the following units:
INDG19015 Aboriginal Cultures and Country
INDG19016 Contemporary Indigenous Issues
More Details

Credit Applications 

Credit applications for units will only be granted where the units that form the basis of the credit application have been taken as part of a course of study in psychology offered by an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited academic organisational unit.

Refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit information on the CQUniversity website for further on the guidelines and application process. 

 

Computing Requirements 

Students will need to have access to a computer or equivalent device in order to complete their coursework. It is important that students have dependable access to the internet and a computer (or equivalent device) with hardware capable of video conferencing for online classes. 

Students enrolled in this course will be engaged in many activities involving technology and the online environment, including video conferencing into online classes, completing assessments in word processing or presentation software, recording oral presentations, submitting written or video-recorded assessments online, completing online tests or quizzes, posting to online forums, and responding to emails. 

Students should review their unit profiles to learn about any specific technology requirements for their coursework. 

 

Group and Teamwork

One of the learning outcomes for this course is for students to be able to communicate effectively through a variety of approaches, individually and in collaboration with others. This learning outcome aligns with the foundational competencies we are required to develop in students as an APAC- accredited 3-year program in psychology. As such, students in this course will be required to demonstrate interpersonal skills and teamwork through assessment tasks that involve working in pairs or small groups with other students. 

Students should review their unit profiles to learn about specific assessment requirements in each unit.