Bachelor of Psychology

Course overview

The Bachelor of Psychology (BPsych) offers study in a range of specialist aspects which include behavioural neuroscience, social psychology, personality theory, perception, intelligence, learning, research methods, memory, attention, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology and health psychology. This course is a specialist four-year Honours course in psychology, particularly intended for students who have obtained a very high ATAR and students who have decided on psychology as a career.

• Course structure
• Professional accreditation
• Career opportunities
• Other ways to study psychology

Course structure

The BPsych has two streams: the science stream or the srts stream. The arts stream caters for students whose interests lie in the humanities and social sciences, while the science stream will cater for those who have science-oriented interests. If you are interested in both the arts and sciences, there is room in both streams to undertake a small number of elective units in subject areas other than the one in which you enrolled. The psychology subjects you study are identical for both streams.

In your first year you will usually study psychology and other subjects fitting with the stream of your choice. In second and third year you will continue to study specialised psychology subjects and also undertake study in other areas that interest you. In the fourth year you will complete an Honours year that includes a research project in one of the areas of psychology.

Sample Science stream study plan

Sample Arts stream study plan

What's the difference between the Science and the Arts stream?

The main issue to consider in choosing which stream to enrol in is what other subjects you want to study in combination with Psychology. All BPsych students are required to undertake a certain number of Psychology units, and your other units will depend on which stream you choose to enrol in. The arts stream will cater for students whose interests lie in the humanities and social sciences, while the science stream will cater for those who have science-oriented interests. If you are interested in both the arts and sciences, there is room in both streams to undertake a small number of elective units in subject areas other than the one in which you enrolled.

Progression Requirements

Progression in the BPsych requires a minimum credit average in first year psychology and a minimum distinction average in psychology in each of second and third years. Students who do not satisfy these requirements are not able to continue in the BPsych course. These students have an automatic right of transfer to a course that allows a major in psychology.

Professional accreditation

The BPsych and other courses offering a psychology major at the University of Sydney have been accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. Registration as a psychologist is overseen nationally by the Psychology Board of Australia, and the profession is represented by the Australian Psychological society (APs).

More information about becoming a member of the APS or a registered psychologist.

Career Opportunities

As well as forming the base for registration, the BPsych provides the training necessary for graduates to obtain jobs in areas such as research, schools, hospitals, marketing, human resource management and various social policy areas in the private and public sectors. The four-year qualification is the prerequisite for entry into higher research courses (eg. PhD), and all professional psychology programs, such as the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, which will qualify you to become a clinical psychologist.

Other ways to study psychology

It is also possible to do an honours degree in psychology in other programs
(e.g. in the science, arts, health sciences or liberal arts and sciences courses) and become a psychologist. Entry into honours is competitive.