School of Psychology

Undergraduate

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You can study psychology at UQ through the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) (BPsySc(Hons)).

All three programs are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). In the BA and BSc the extended major in psychology is APAC accredited.

The School of Psychology's course offerings are designed to meet several goals:

  • To provide a foundation of study in psychology to students from many different faculties and schools;
  • To educate students across a wide spectrum of psychology;
  • To provide students with a foundation for a career in psychology;
  • To prepare students to conduct independent psychological research.

Domestic students can apply for all three programs through the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC). International students can apply directly to UQ. Upon successful completion of the honours year scholars can apply for further training.

Graduates of the BA or the BSc who have completed the extended major in psychology have the opportunity to progress into a fourth year honours program, based on grade point average (GPA).

What is the difference between the three programs?

Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) is a 4-year APAC accredited sequence in psychology. It offers an intensive study of psychology and a number of electives designed to provide breadth in the degree. The fourth year is a structured year including a thesis and coursework. It is designed to provide students the most direct pathway to provisional registration as a psychologist, but does not offer the flexibility of the other two programs.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BSc) extended major in psychology are a 3-year undergraduate APAC accredited sequence in psychology. They offer flexibility in terms of dual degree study, and additional majors or minors. The program rules for each degree differ slightly and there are additional requirements. There are a small number of courses not available in the BA/BSc.

After completing a BA or BSc extended major in psychology you may apply to do Honours in psychology. Otherwise you can undertake a single major in psychology to learn about the human mind and behaviour.

You must complete honours in psychology to be eligible to apply for provisional psychologist registration and continue study in psychology for full registration. With a three-year BA or BSc in psychology, you may apply to enrol in postgraduate programs in allied health.

For more information regarding career options in psychology and maximising employability visit our careers and employment section.

4+2 Internship Program

Currently there are 3 pathways to General Registration as a Psychologist: Higher Degree, 5+1 Internship Program, and 4+2 Internship Program. In 2019, it was announced that the 4+2 Internship program would be retired, with a transition plan put in place.

We are now nearing the first key date of the transition plan. From 30 June 2022, the Psychology Board of Australia will no longer accept applications to commence the 4+2 Internship Program.

This means that if you graduate from Honours at the end of 2021, and wish to gain registration via the 4+2 Internship Program, you will have only 6 months to lodge your application with the Psychology Board of Australia.

If you are intending to commence Honours part-time in 2021, or in any capacity from 2022, you will not be eligible for the 4+2 Internship Program because you will not graduate with Honours by 30 June 2022.

The School of Psychology at UQ offers a number of Higher Degree Programs which will lead to General Registration. A full list of the Programs available can be found here.

More information can be found on the Psychology Board of Australia website.

What our students say

Sok Yee Leong"UQ’s School of Psychology has a strong reputation and has many excellent lecturers and researchers who have contributed greatly to the research literature. I chose UQ to complete my degree because I wanted to have a strong foundation in Psychology and have more exposure to psychological research, as well as learn more about the motivations that drive both rational and irrational human behaviour. The Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) hones my analytical skills through experimental research to make sound conclusions, allowing me to have a rational mind to better understand human behaviour."

Sok Yee Leong