• Length 4 years full-time
  • Minimum 192 Units
Admission requirements
Prerequisites Adjustment factors availability
  • Academic plan BARTS / BSPSY
  • CRICOS code 079093D
  • UAC code 130010
  • Academic contact
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science (Psychology)

The Bachelor of Arts is the most diverse, most flexible, and most popular degree at The Australian National University. Each of its some fifty majors, in fields throughout the arts, humanities and social sciences, is taught by truly outstanding scholars to ensure that each student receives the very best education, is engaged with cutting-edge research, and learns to think like a researcher. These majors can be coupled with more than seventy minors and specialisations to broaden or deepen your study. Regardless of your choices, your Arts degree will provide you with core skills in critical analysis and in written and oral communication, while developing your adaptability and ability to help shape change and prepare you for a multifaceted career or further study.

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 Arts may find work in publishing, policy, education, international development, politics, media, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, advertising, art conservation, government and many other fields.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts may find work in publishing, policy, education, international development, politics, media, information technology, communications, journalism, aid, advertising, art conservation, government and many other fields.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Arts, graduates will be able to:

  1. critically apply theoretical frameworks and research techniques to understanding national and international issues and problems;
  2. identify, including through interrogation of databases, relevant sources of information from across a variety of media (print and digital, written and audio-visual) and judge the importance and reliability of those sources;
  3. evaluate ideas and develop creative solutions to problems, including through independent pursuit of knowledge and making connections between different disciplinary approaches and methods;
  4. communicate and debate both orally and in writing, and work with others, using a variety of media; and
  5. understand the ethical implications of ideas, communications, and actions.

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:
29

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.

Prerequisites

Students who successfully complete the below program will be admitted to the Bachelor of Arts:
ELIBS Diploma of Liberal Studies (offered by the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences)
 

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

Domestic International

Bachelor of Arts - 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
$43,680.00

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

This double degree requires the completion of 192 units.

The Bachelor of Arts 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 consist of:

48 units from the completion of one Arts major from any of the following lists:

Disciplines and Fields
Ancient History
Anthropology
Archaeology
Art History and Theory
Australian Indigenous Studies
Biological Anthropology
Criminology
Development Studies
Digital Humanities
Economic Studies
English
Environmental Studies
Gender, Sexuality and Culture
Geography
Global Security
History
Human Evolutionary Biology
Human Rights
International Communication
International Relations
Linguistics
Mathematics
Music
Music Technology
Peace and Conflict Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Screen Studies
Sociology
Technology, Networks and Society
War Studies

Languages
Ancient Greek
Arabic
Chinese Language
French Language and Culture
German Language and Culture
Hindi Language
Indonesian Language
Italian Language and Culture
Japanese Language
Japanese Linguistics
Korean Language
Latin
Persian
Sanskrit Language
Spanish
Thai Language
Vietnamese Language

Geographically Defined Area Studies
Asian Studies
Asian History
Asia and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
Chinese Studies
Contemporary Europe
India Studies
Indonesian Studies
Japanese Studies
Korean Studies
Latin American Studies
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
Northeast Asian Studies
Pacific Studies
Southeast Asian Studies

Either:

24 units from the completion of one Arts minor, which must have a different name to the Major on any of the following lists:

Disciplines and Fields
Advanced Studies
Ancient History
Anthropology
ANU Leadership and Research
Applied Linguistics
Archaeology
Art History and Theory
Australian Indigenous Studies
Biological Anthropology
Climate Science and Policy
Criminology
Demography
Design
Development Studies
Digital Humanities
Economic Studies
English
Environmental Policy
Environmental Studies
Forensic Anthropology
Forensic Linguistics
Gender and Sexuality
Geography
Global Security
Health, Medicine and the Body
Heritage and Museum Studies
History
Human Ecology
Human Evolutionary Biology
Human Rights
International Communication
International Relations
Linguistics
Mathematics
Music
Music Technology
Peace and Conflict Studies
Philosophy and Science
Philosophy
Political Science
Popular Music
Screen Studies
Social Psychology
Social Research Methods
Sociology
Sustainable Development
Technology, Networks and Society
Visual Arts Practice
War Studies

Languages
Advanced Ancient Greek
Advanced Arabic
Advanced Chinese Language
Advanced English Language
Advanced French Studies
Advanced German Studies
Advanced Hispanic Culture
Advanced Hispanic Linguistics
Advanced Italian Studies
Advanced Japanese Language
Advanced Korean Language
Advanced Latin
Advanced Persian
Advanced Sanskrit Language
Advanced Spanish Studies
Ancient Greek
Arabic
Burmese Language 
Chinese Language 
French Language and Culture
German Language and Culture
Hindi Language
Indonesian Language
Italian Language and Culture
Japanese Language
Japanese Linguistics
Korean Language
Latin
Literary Chinese
Mongolian Language
Persian
Russian
Sanskrit Language
Spanish
Tetum Language
Thai Language
Tok Pisin Language
Vietnamese Language

Geographically Defined Area Studies
American Studies
Asian and Pacific Anthropology
Asian and Pacific Linguistics 
Asian Art History
Asian History
Asian Studies
Asia and Pacific Archaeology
Asia and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender
Asia-Pacific International Relations
Asia and Pacific Literature and Film
Asia-Pacific Politics
Australian Politics
Chinese Studies
Contemporary Europe
India Studies
Indonesian Studies
Japanese Studies
Korean Studies
Latin American Studies
Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
Northeast Asian Studies
Pacific Studies
Southeast Asian Studies

24 units from completion of courses listed in any Arts major, minor and the following list:

ESEN1101 Essential University English

Or:

24 units from completion of ANIP3007 Australian National Internships Program D
 

24 units from completion of courses listed in any Arts major, minor and the following list:

ESEN1101 Essential University English.

Or:

48 units from completion of a second Arts major
 

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 Arts Majors

Minors

Bachelor of Arts Minors

Study Options

Year 1 For study plans, please see following link http://cass.anu.edu.au/current-students/degrees-and-program-plans - PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour 6 units 1000 level Science elective 6 units
- - PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context 6 units 1000 level Science elective 6 units
Year 2 - - PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology 6 units PSYC2002 Developmental Psychology 6 units
- - PSYC2001 Social Psychology 6 units PSYC2008 Cognition 6 units
Year 3 - - 3000 level PSYC course 6 units Science elective 6 units
- - PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour 6 units PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods 6 units
Year 4 - - PSYC3025 Psychopathology Across the Lifespan 6 units 3000 level PSYC course 6 units
- - PSYC3026 Personality Psychology 6 units 3000 level PSYC course 6 units

Honours

For information about honours, please see Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

If you attain a sufficient standard in the pass degree, you may be admitted to the Honours year to become a candidate for the degree with Honours. For more information please see the Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (Honours) entry in the Programs and Courses catalogue.

Single degree

This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab.   Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.

Bachelor of Arts consists of 144 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load.

A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one list such as in a major or minor or designated list. For example, you are not permitted to count POLS1005 towards the International Relations Major and the Human Rights Major.

For the Bachelor of Arts you will need to complete:

  • One Arts major from the designated list (48 units)
  • One Arts minor and four courses from any Arts major, minor or the designated list (48 units)
    or
    An Internship and four courses from any Arts major, minor or the designated list (48 units)
    or
    A second Arts major (48 units)
  • Eight electives from across the ANU (48 units)

Please note that you are only permitted to count ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your program.

You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of Arts. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.

Double degree

This following information is to be read in conjunction with the program rules that are outlined on the “Study” tab.   Please always make sure that you refer to the program rules for the year that you commenced your program.

Bachelor of Arts Double Degree program consists of 96 units. Most courses are worth 6 units each, with 48 units (8 courses) per year being the standard full-time load. During each semester you are likely to take two courses from your Bachelor of Arts degree and another two courses from the other half of your double degree – making up a total of four courses per semester.

A course (usually 6 units) can only be counted towards one list such as in a major or minor or designated list. For example, you are not permitted to count POLS1005 towards the International Relations Major and the Human Rights Major.

You will need to complete:

  • One Arts major from the designated list (48 units)
  • One Arts minor and four courses from any Arts major, minor or the designated list (48 units)
    or
    An Internship and four courses from any Arts major, minor or the designated list (48 units)
    or
    A second Arts major (48 units)

Please note that you are only permitted to count six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your degree.

You are advised to complete a Program Plan for the Bachelor of Arts. This will help you seek advice on your course choices, ensure you meet the program requirements and give you a plan that you can refer to for the duration of your program.

Enrolment Status

While it is possible for domestic students to enrol in fewer than four courses per semester, which is called studying part-time, it will take you longer to finish your program and get your degree. If you are an international student you must always be full-time.

First year students are not permitted to study more than four courses (24 units) per semester.

If you are beginning your program in Semester 1, you should enrol for all your courses for both Semester 1 and Semester 2 (8 courses for full time), so that you can plan your study year.




Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses

When you enrol for the first time you will study ‘1000-level’ courses. These courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code, such as ARTS1234. Whilst it is important to take 1000-level courses in your first year (so that you can meet the pre-requisites for later year courses) they also can be taken later in your program.

You can only count a maximum of ten 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or six 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Bachelor of Arts half of the double degree.

In your first year you need to enrol in:

  • 1000-level courses from your Arts major
  • 1000-level courses from your Arts minor or second Arts major
  • Elective courses for students undertaking the single degree.

Electives

For students in the single degree, your electives (48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU) can be additional courses from your discipline (including the option of a major or minor) or courses from another ANU College. If you have an interest in another discipline, for example management, psychology or mathematics, then you should explore first year courses in your area of interest. In particular look at the majors and minors. These will give you an idea of the first year courses you can study.

If you are interested in undertaking a language and have prior knowledge/experience with that language you may need to undertake a placement test – you should check with the relevant language area for further details.




Study Options

Study Plan

Please refer to the "Study" tab.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units - - - -
- - - -

Study Plan

Please refer to the "Study" tab.

Study Options

Year 1 48 units - - - -
- - - -

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 Cognition

PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology

PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods

PSYC3025 Psychopathology 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.

Important things to keep in mind when choosing your 1000-level courses

There are two compulsory 1000 level courses you must take in your first year:

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.

Do you want to talk to someone before enrolling?

Contact Science Enquiries at science.enquiries@anu.edu.au

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