Undergraduate

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). However for those in the BA and BSc the extended major in psychology must be completed to meet the accreditation requirements.

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.

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.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) extended major in psychology and the Bachelor of Science (BSc) extended major in psychology are both 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 psychology courses not available to students in the BA/BSc.

After completing an extended major in psychology via the BA or BSc you may apply to do Honours in psychology. If you are not interested in going on to Honours or Masters level in psychology, 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 study psychology. With a three-year BA or BSc in psychology, you may be eligible to apply for postgraduate programs in allied health.

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

Bachelor of Behavioural Science

Students in the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) who do not wish to complete the fourth year may elect to graduate after three years of study with a Bachelor of Behavioural Science, this is an APAC accredited sequence. Graduates with this degree will be eligible to apply for fourth year psychology programs at other universities. Graduates can also apply for a range of postgraduate study options outside of psychology.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Bachelor of Science (Honours)

The BA(Hons) in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and BSc(Hons) in the Faculty of Science are only available to students who have completed the extended major in psychology and who meet the GPA requirements. Students graduate upon completion with a class of honours determined by weighted GPA.

Students can choose one of two streams for honours – the Research Stream or the Work Integrated Stream. The Research Stream includes a one-on-one thesis supervised by a School academic and all thesis components such as data collection and analysis are done independently. The Work Integrated Stream includes a team thesis which is collaborative in nature and students will complete a placement at an organisation arranged by the School. Both streams lead to the same opportunities for postgraduate study and employment.

Students have the opportunity to opt for a stream that suits their career interests. Entry into either stream is not determined by GPA. However, if too many students choose one stream relative to the number of available places, a GPA minimum will be applied to remain in that stream.