Psychology (Honours)

The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) is designed for those students who are seeking a four year sequence in psychology. The degree offers concentrated study in psychology for students who want a thorough exploration of the discipline and the opportunity for specialisation in their third year before conducting a major research project in the Honours year. It includes courses in the major substantive areas of psychology, together with comprehensive training in the research design and data analysis techniques used in psychological science. Students are expected to maintain a high level of academic excellence in psychology courses. Note: this is a restricted entry program. Most students accepted into Honours psychology at ANU will continue to enter via other pathways such as BSc (Psych), BSc and BA.

Employment Opportunities

Psychology:

Despite popular belief most psychology graduates work with people who are mentally healthy. Psychological graduates tend to find employment in three areas: as psychologists, in general graduate positions, and as psychological scientists (often in applied research settings).

The main areas in which psychologists are employed include clinical, organisational, health, community, counselling and educational/developmental psychology.

Psychology is an excellent preparation for broader graduate employment. Psychology graduates gain analytical, quantitative, report writing and communication skills that are focused on the issues and problems confronting human beings.

Psychological science is an exciting career option with employment opportunities in the private and public sector as well as in universities and can involve designing interventions to solve human problems and researching how people function in different environments.

Where there is mention of Science courses, majors, minors and specialisations this refers to courses, majors, minors and specialisations that are offered or approved by the ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment and the ANU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences  

This program requires the completion of 192 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units can come from the completion of 1000 level courses  

A minimum 36 units must be completed in 3000 level PSYC coded courses

A minimum of 24 units must come from courses at the Honours pathway level in psychology 

48 units must come from the completion of a Psychology Honours research project

The 192 units must include:

A minimum of 144 units from completion of Science courses, including:  

• 108 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:      

PSYC1003  Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain & Behaviour

PSYC1004  Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context

PSYC2001  Social Psychology

PSYC2002  Developmental Psychology

PSYC2007  Biological Basis of Behaviour

PSYC2008  Visual Perception & Cognition

PSYC2009  Quantitative Methods in Psychology

PSYC3018  Advanced Research Methods  

PSYC3025  Abnormal Psychology across the Lifespan

PSYC3026  Personality & the Assessment of Individual Differences

PSYC4005  Psychology Honours (48 units)

• 36 units from the completion of other Science courses including:  

     12 units of 1000 level Science courses  

     18 units of 3000 level PSYC courses.    

A maximum of 48 units from completion of elective courses which may be offered by Science, or by another ANU College

Students enrolled in the BPsych (Honours) must maintain an average of 75% in Psychology courses each semester to remain in this program. Students who do not maintain 75% will be transferred to the 3 year BSc(Psyc) program but will be allowed to compete for places in Honours.

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:

• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR

• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma or Graduate Certificate; OR

• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution; OR

• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Requirements for domestic applicants:

ATAR:95

QLD Band:4

International Baccalaureate:37

For international students:

Refer to the table to see if you meet the requirements:

http://www.anu.edu.au/files/resource/IntAdmissTabl2014e.pdf 

English Language Requirements:

ANU recognizes a number of English language tests as meeting the University’s English language requirements. The acceptable tests are IELTS (an overall score of 6.5 with at least 6 in each component of the test), TOEFL-paper based test (a score of 570), TOEFL-internet based test (a score of 80, with a minimum of 20 in Reading and Writing and 18 in Speaking and Listening), Cambridge CAE Advanced (80, grade A), PTE Academic (overall 64, minimum 55 in each section.) 

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to current and future students to assist with the cost of their studies. The University is committed to enabling all students, regardless of their background, to achieve their best at ANU and realise their potential. 

Eligibility for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

ANU offers bonus points for nationally strategic senior secondary subjects, and in recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Bonus points are applied to all applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedule, and no more than 10 points (maximum 5 academic points and maximum 5 equity points) will be awarded.

Bonus points do not apply to programs with an ATAR cutoff of 98 or higher.

Bonus Points are only awarded to domestic applicants applying for admission through UAC who have not previously attempted tertiary study.