As Australia’s engagement with the Pacific increases, so too does the need for graduates with Pacific expertise.
The Bachelor of Pacific Studies will provide you with a deep understanding of the diversity, history and contemporary issues of Oceania, so you can take a leading role in Pacific policy and development.
You will also have the opportunity to engage in internship and immersion programs in Oceania, boosting your language skills and expertise in the region.
What makes the human brain tick?
Find out with the Bachelor of Science (Psychology), which provides you with a great base in six different areas of psychology: developmental, social, personality, methods, cognition and biological.
In your later year courses, you’ll apply this knowledge and your skills in more specialised areas such as neuroscience, counselling, health and organisational (business) psychology.
Once you’ve completed your third year, you can apply to undertake an Honours year and pursue further postgraduate study. This will allow you to practice as a clinical psychologist.
Find out more about psychology, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.
Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting our student blog.
Career Options
Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.
The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Bachelor of Pacific Studies find employment in Pacific policy and development.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Pacific Studies find employment in Pacific policy and development.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of a Bachelor of Pacific Studies, graduates will be able to:
- Speak and write about theories, factual content and research approaches relevant to Pacific Studies.
- Identify relevant regional and international literature relevant to Pacific Studies.
- Determine the processes through which current knowledge about Pacific Studies has been developed.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of perspectives on indigenous, popular, policy and scholarly debates in Oceania.
Upon successful completion of this program Science graduates will be able to:
- Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic
- Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions
- Engage in critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources
- Communicate concepts and results clearly and effectively both in writing and orally
- Record original data and apply statistical or other evaluation processes to original data when appropriate
Admission Requirements
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, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; 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 international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.
Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.
More information about ATAR requirements for individual programs can be found HERE.
The National Register of higher education providers is an authoritative source of information that will help you confirm your institution of choice is registered to deliver higher education in Australia.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) website is HERE. Based on surveys done by thousands of students across Australia you can find out about universities that interest you, doing side-by-side comparisons.
The table below is a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.
- ATAR:
- 80
- QLD Band:
- 10
- International Baccalaureate:
- 28
Domestic applicant entry requirements
Queensland Band equivalents are a guide only - selection is made on an ATAR equivalent that is not available to students.
International applicant entry requirements
International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants
The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.
Adjustment Factors
ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Subject and performance-based adjustments do not apply to programs with a minimum selection rank of 98 or higher. Visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.
Indicative fees
Bachelor of Pacific Studies - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $42,960.00
Scholarships
ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.
Eligibility to apply 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.
For further information see the Scholarships website.
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Pacific Studies flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must include:
The Bachelor of Pacific Studies requires the completion of 144 units, of which:
A maximum of 60 units can come from completion of 1000 level courses
The 144 units must include:
48 units from completion of the Pacific Studies major
Either:
24 units from completion of a minor from following list:
Anthropology
Archaeology
Development Studies
Environmental Studies
Environmental Policy
Heritage and Museum Studies
History
Human Ecology
Australian Indigenous Studies
International Relations
Political Science
Social Research Methods
Sociology
Chinese
French Language and Culture
German Language and Culture
Hindi
Indonesian
Japanese
Spanish
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Climate Science and Policy
Environmental Policy
Forest Science and Policy
Geography
Human Ecology
Integrative Methods in Environment and Society
Soil and Land Management
Sustainable Development
Water Science and Policy
Philosophy
24 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
Or:
48 units from completion of a major from following list:
Anthropology
Archaeology
Development Studies
Environmental Studies
Gender, Sexuality and Culture
Geography
History
International Relations
Political Science
Sociology
Chinese
French Language and Culture
German Language and Culture
Hindi
Indonesian
Japanese
Spanish
Environmental and Landscape Sciences
Natural Resource Management
Sustainability Science
Philosophy
Visual Arts Practice
The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:
A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses
The 96 units must include:
60 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:
PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour
PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context
PSYC2001 Social Psychology
PSYC2002 Developmental Psychology
PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour
PSYC2008 Cognition
PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods
PSYC3025 Psychopathology Across the Lifespan
PSYC3026 Personality Psychology
18 units from completion of 3000-level courses in the subject area PSYC Psychology
12 units from completion of further 1000-level courses from the Science Course List
6 units from completion of further courses from the Science Course List
A maximum of 12 units from completion of 1000-level courses may contribute towards meeting the requirements of two Science majors with common 1000-level course requirements.
Majors
Bachelor of Pacific Studies Majors
Minors
Bachelor of Pacific Studies Minors
Study Options
| Year 1 | PASI1011 Pacific Encounters: An introduction to Pacific Studies 6 units | Major 1000 level course 6 units | PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour 6 units | 1000 level Science elective 6 units |
| Pacific Studies Major ASIA1025 or ASIA1030 6 units | Major 1000 level course 6 units | PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context 6 units | 1000 level Science elective 6 units | |
| Year 2 | PASI2001 Pacific Studies in a Globalizing World 6 units | Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology 6 units | PSYC2002 Developmental Psychology 6 units |
| PASI2002 Australia in Oceania in the 19th and 20th centuries 6 units | Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | PSYC2001 Social Psychology 6 units | PSYC2008 Cognition 6 units | |
| Year 3 | Pacific Studies Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | 3000 level PSYC course 6 units | Science elective 6 units |
| Pacific Studies Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour 6 units | PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods 6 units | |
| Year 4 | Pacific Studies Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | PSYC3025 Psychopathology Across the Lifespan 6 units | 3000 level PSYC course 6 units |
| Pacific Studies Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | Major 2000 or 3000 level course 6 units | PSYC3026 Personality Psychology 6 units | 3000 level PSYC course 6 units |
Honours
If you attain a sufficient standard in the pass degree you may beadmitted to the Honours year to become a candidate for the degree withHonours. See the Honours Degree listed in the Bachelorof Science.
Back to the Bachelor of Pacific Studies page
The Bachelor of Pacific Studies is offered through the School of Culture, History and Language. Upon completion of this degree, you will have developed specific knowledge of Pacific Studies and a range of transferable skills that will prepare you for work or further study.
Single degree
- This degree requires the completion of 144 units
- A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses is allowed
- 48 units must come from completion of the Pacific Studies major
- 24 units from completion of a minor approved by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
- 72 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
Double degree
- This degree requires the completion of 96 units
- A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level courses is allowed
- 48 units must come from completion of the Pacific Studies major
- 24 units from completion of a minor approved by the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific
- 24 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU
About this degree
Single degree
In a Bachelor of Pacific Studies single degree program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 (6-unit) courses across your whole degree. Once you have fulfilled the requirements of the Pacific Studies major, you can try a range of courses or take a major or minor in a subject of your choice.
Double degree
You will need to complete a minimum of 96 units towards the Bachelor of Pacific Studies degree but will also get to choose 4 courses (24 units) from other ANU Colleges.
Enrolment Status
It is possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester but it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be enrolled full-time in 24 units each semester.
Remember you will need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester. You will be able to change your enrolment in courses up until the end of week 2 of each semester without penalty.
Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses
If you are intending to enrol into our language courses and have previous experience with the language you want to study, even if you think it might not be relevant or was too long ago, you need to sit a placement test for the College to ensure you are enrolled into the most appropriate level of language study.
Relevant past experience include:
- Previous study of the language
- Being exposed to the language in childhood
- Travel or living in a country where the language is spoken
- The language being spoken in your home (even if you don’t speak it)
Languages available for the placement test:
- Indonesian
- Chinese
- Japanese
- Korean
Majors and Minors
See available majors and minors for this program
Students in this degree must complete a Pacific Studies Major, and a minor from the following list:
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Development Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Environmental Policy
- Heritage and Museum Studies
- History
- Human Ecology
- Australian Indigenous Studies
- International Relations
- Political Science
- Social Research Methods
- Sociology
- Chinese
- French Language and Culture
- German Language and Culture
- Hindi
- Indonesian
- Japanese
- Spanish
- Biodiversity Conservation and Management
- Climate Science and Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Forest Science and Policy
- Geography
- Human Ecology
- Integrative Methods in Environment and Society
- Soil and Land Management
- Sustainable Development
- Water Science and Policy
- Philosophy
- Visual Arts Practice
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Development Studies
- Environmental Studies
- Gender, Sexuality and Culture
- Geography
- History
- International Relations
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Chinese
- French Language and Culture
- German Language and Culture
- Hindi
- Indonesian
- Japanese
- Spanish
- Environmental and Landscape Sciences
- Natural Resource Management
- Sustainability Science
- Philosophy
Electives
You can use your electives to enrol in any courses that you like, provided you meet prerequisite requirements. Students who choose to do a second major will need to take the additional 24 units for their major from their electives.
To find 1000-level
courses, use the catalogue finder. Remember you can choose up to 8
courses from another ANU College at the University if you are
undertaking the single Bachelor of Pacific Studies program.
Study Options
Bachelor of Pacific Studies Double Degree Study Plan
Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | PASI1011 Pacific Encounters: An introduction to Pacific Studies 6 units | Language Course 6 units | Course from other Degree 6 units | Course from other Degree 6 units |
| PASI1012 Pacific Worlds: critical inquiry in Oceania 6 units | Language Course 6 units | Course from other Degree 6 units | Course from other Degree 6 units |
Academic Advice
If after reading through these guidelines you are unsure about your which courses to enrol in, you can come to an academic advice session at Melville Hall during Orientation week.
If you are seeking status (credit) from previous study at another university you will need to come to an academic advice session at Melville Hall during Orientation week, and we will help you choose the correct courses for your first year.
Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?
Contact Katerina Teaiwa at Katerina.Teaiwa@anu.edu.au
Back to the Bachelor of Science (Psychology) page
Please note that if you are commencing your studies in semester 2 there may be restrictions on the courses available for enrolment. We strongly recommend that you make an appointment with an academic advisor. You can make an appointment by using our online booking system here. Alternatively, you can call Science Central on 6125 2809. There will also be advisory sessions offered during the week before semester commences.
What is
consciousness? Do people see colours the same way? How do we make decisions?
Contrary to popular belief most psychologists work with healthy people, trying
to find the answers to questions like these.
Studying psychology at ANU will expose you to a wide range of psychological
sciences, covering topics as varied as how groups interact, vision and how it
can be tricked to see what is not really there, how the brain develops as a
baby and how it will change again as you get older, how impulses are carried
from brain to muscle, and how things go wrong in abnormal psychology.
The ANU Bachelor of Science (Psychology) teaches you skills sought after by
employers including statistics and experimental design, critical thinking and
communication, and provides an excellent grounding to enter the workforce or
continue with further study.
Single degree
- This degree requires 144 units
- A maximum of 60 units of 1000 level courses of which 24 units must be Science
- A minimum of 36 units 3000 level PSYC courses
- Completion of the accredited sequence of psychology courses
- Other courses from the Science course list or another ANU College (48 units maximum of non-science courses allowed )
Double degree
- This degree requires 96 units Science courses
- A maximum of 36 units of 1000 level Science courses
- A minimum of 36 units 3000 level PSYC courses
- Completion of the accredited sequence of psychology courses
- Other courses from the Science course list
About this degree
Single degree
In a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) single degree program you will study a total of 144 units. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 24 courses across your whole degree.
You will need to complete a minimum of 16 science courses (96 units) including the following accredited courses:
PSYC1003 Psychology 1
PSYC1004 Psychology 2
PSYC2001 Social Psychology
PSYC2002 Developmental Psychology
PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour
PSYC2008 Visual Perception and Cognition
PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology
PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods
PSYC3025 Abnormal Psychology across the Life Span
PSYC3026 Personality Psychology
You will also get to choose eight courses (48 units) from other ANU Colleges. You can try a range of courses or take a major or minor in a non-Science subject, such as history or marketing. The choice is yours.
Double degree
In a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) double degree program you will study a total of 96 units including all the courses listed above. Typically you will take 4 courses per semester (total of 24 units) as a full time student giving you a total of 16 courses across your whole degree. However, for each semester you are likely to take 2 courses from your Science (Psychology) degree and then 2 courses from the other half of your double degree – still a total of 4 courses a semester.
Enrolment Status
It is possible to enrol in fewer courses per semester but it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be enrolled full-time in 24 units each semester.
- You need to enrol in courses for both First Semester and Second Semester.
- You can’t study more than four courses (24 units) per semester, eight for the year.
- You may take 1000-level courses later in your program. But remember you can’t count more than ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Science (Psychology) half of the double degree.
Electives
Remember you can choose up to 8 courses from another ANU College if you are undertaking the single Bachelor of Science (Psychology) program.
Study Options
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) - single degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Science (Psychology).Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour 6 units | 1000 level Science elective 6 units | Science or non-science course 6 units | Science or non-science course 6 units |
| PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context 6 units | 1000 level Science elective 6 units | Science or non-science course 6 units | Science or non-science course 6 units |
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) - double degree
This is a typical study pattern for the first year of a student undertaking a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) with another three year degree, such as the Bachelor of Arts.Study Options
| Year 1 48 units | PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour 6 units | 1000 level Science elective 6 units | Degree B Course 6 units | Degree B Course 6 units |
| PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context 6 units | 1000 level Science elective 6 units | Degree B Course 6 units | Degree B Course 6 units |
Academic Advice
For further information, you can:
- Visit the Research School of Psychology webpage here, or
- Download the Science first year course guide available here, or
- View our program presentation videos located on our New commencers & first year students page, or
- Email us at science.enquiries@anu.edu.au, or
- Come and talk to someone face-to-face. You can make an appointment with an academic advisor here or by calling Science Central on 6125 2809.