What makes the human brain tick?

Find out with the Bachelor of Science (Psychology), which provides you with a great base in the key areas of psychology: developmental, social, personality, health and mental health, research methods, cognition and the biological bases of behaviour.

In your later year courses, you’ll apply this knowledge and your skills in more specialised areas such as neuroscience, counselling, health, mental 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 psychologist or clinical psychologist.

Find out more about psychology, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.

When undertaking the Bachelor of Visual Arts at the ANU, you will be immersed in a program of rigorous scholarship and intensive studio practice, tailored to your aspirations and informed by internationally renowned art practitioners within Australia’s top-ranking university. You will graduate with the essential creative skills and critical knowledge to address the grand challenges of a rapidly changing world.

You will develop deep disciplinary knowledge and learn specialist skills offered across the School of Art and Design studio disciplines, including ceramics, glass, painting, photography and media arts, printmedia and drawing, sculpture and spatial practice, and textiles. You will extend your study through access to courses in the Centre for Art History and Art Theory, combined with access to electives from across the ANU.

Employment Opportunities

Psychology graduates have skills essential to any workplace: an understanding of human motivation and behaviour, analytical skills and research skills including statistics.

The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) is a fantastic launch pad for a range of careers, including research, management consulting, human resources, marketing, public policy, child development and welfare, health and human services, education, counselling and clinical practice. Please see https://psychology.anu.edu.au/study/career-opportunities for more information.

Bachelor of Science (Psychology) graduates who wish to practice as psychologists or clinical psychologists can undertake the following programs:

1. Master of Professional Psychology: this pathway enables graduates to eventually become registered psychologists by the Psychology Board of Australia; or
2. Psychology Honours followed by either the Master of Clinical Psychology or the PhD (Clinical Psychology): this pathway enables graduates to eventually become registered psychologists with specialist endorsement in clinical psychology by the Psychology Board of Australia.

Entry to Psychology Honours, the Master of Professional Psychology, the Master of Clinical Psychology, and the PhD (Clinical Psychology) is highly competitive due to limited spaces.

Psychology graduates have skills essential to any workplace: an understanding of human motivation and behaviour, analytical skills and research skills including statistics.

The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) is a fantastic launch pad for a range of careers, including research, management consulting, human resources, marketing, public policy, child development and welfare, health and human services, education, counselling and clinical practice. Please see https://psychology.anu.edu.au/study/career-opportunities for more information.

Bachelor of Science (Psychology) graduates who wish to practice as psychologists or clinical psychologists can undertake the following programs:

1. Master of Professional Psychology: this pathway enables graduates to eventually become registered psychologists by the Psychology Board of Australia; or
2. Psychology Honours followed by either the Master of Clinical Psychology or the PhD (Clinical Psychology): this pathway enables graduates to eventually become registered psychologists with specialist endorsement in clinical psychology by the Psychology Board of Australia.

Entry to Psychology Honours, the Master of Professional Psychology, the Master of Clinical Psychology, and the PhD (Clinical Psychology) is highly competitive due to limited spaces.

Learning Outcomes

1. Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic
2. Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions
3. Engage in critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources
4. Communicate concepts and results clearly and effectively both in writing and orally
5. Record original data and apply statistical or other evaluation processes to original data when appropriate

1. apply technical skills and specialist knowledge to realise artworks, artefacts and related forms of creative expression;

2. demonstrate skills and knowledge of the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques in the visual arts;

3. recognise and reflect on social, cultural and ethical issues, and apply historical and theoretical perspectives to practice in the visual arts;

4. develop, express and evaluate ideas, concepts and processes by thinking creatively, critically and reflectively;

5. interpret, communicate and present ideas, problems and arguments in modes suited to a range of audiences; and

6. work independently and collaboratively in response to project demands.

Further Information

Important fee information for commencing and continuing domestic undergraduate students intending to study psychology as a professional pathway:

Please note that due to changes in Australian government funding from 2021 as a result of the Job Ready Graduates Package, fees for Behavioural Science courses will be invoiced at different rates. This will affect students in the following manner:

Commencing Students

Study of the accredited sequence of psychology courses taken under the psychology degrees recognised by the Australian Government will be eligible for the Professional Pathway funding rates (HECS band 2). At ANU, these programs are:

• Bachelor Science (Psychology) - (3 year degree)
• Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (Honours) - (+1 Hons year)
• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) - (4 year degree incl Honours).

Note that Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (Honours) students who commenced their Bachelor of Science (Psychology) at ANU prior to 1 January 2021will be classed as continuing students. 

While the accredited sequence of psychology courses can be taken as part of other programs of study at ANU [Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science (Honours), Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours), Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)], the study of psychology is not compulsory therefore Psychology courses in these programs will be charged different fees (HECS band 4).

Continuing students

Continuing students (enrolled before 1 January 2021) studying courses in disciplines with increased student contribution amounts, will be grandfathered under the legislation. That is, they will continue paying the same amount as they would have, had these reforms not been implemented for any courses that would otherwise have an increased student contribution. 

For more information on the 2021 fee changes to Student Contributions Amounts, please visit https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/student-contributions; and for more information on the Job Ready Graduates Package please visit  https://www.studyassist.gov.au/

APAC Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

Change to program orders from 2023 - advice for students

From 2023, key changes have been made to the list of compulsory courses as follows: PSYC2012 and PSYC3020 are compulsory. PSYC2002 is recoded to PSYC3202 and is still compulsory. Students will have to complete a minimum of 14 PSYC coded courses as per the program requirements.

• Students admitted to the BSPSY prior to 2023 are expected to follow the rules of the year in which which they were matriculated into the program and should complete the APAC accreditation requirements as they were prior to 2023.
• Students admitted to the BSPSY from 2023, including internal program transfer, will be expected to follow the rules of the year in which they were matriculated and should complete the APAC accreditation requirements as per the program orders from 2023. Students transfering into the program from 2023 are encouraged to seek academic advice, if PSYC2002 has already been completed.

Important fee information for commencing and continuing domestic undergraduate students intending to study psychology as a professional pathway:

Please note that due to changes in Australian government funding from 2021 as a result of the Job Ready Graduates Package, fees for Behavioural Science courses will be invoiced at different rates. This will affect students in the following manner:

Commencing Students

Study of the accredited sequence of psychology courses taken under the psychology degrees recognised by the Australian Government will be eligible for the Professional Pathway funding rates (HECS band 2). At ANU, these programs are:

• Bachelor Science (Psychology) - (3 year degree)
• Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (Honours) - (+1 Hons year)
• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) - (4 year degree incl Honours).

Note that Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (Honours) students who commenced their Bachelor of Science (Psychology) at ANU prior to 1 January 2021will be classed as continuing students. 

While the accredited sequence of psychology courses can be taken as part of other programs of study at ANU [Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science (Honours), Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours), Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)], the study of psychology is not compulsory therefore Psychology courses in these programs will be charged different fees (HECS band 4).

Continuing students

Continuing students (enrolled before 1 January 2021) studying courses in disciplines with increased student contribution amounts, will be grandfathered under the legislation. That is, they will continue paying the same amount as they would have, had these reforms not been implemented for any courses that would otherwise have an increased student contribution. 

For more information on the 2021 fee changes to Student Contributions Amounts, please visit https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/student-contributions; and for more information on the Job Ready Graduates Package please visit  https://www.studyassist.gov.au/

APAC Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

Change to program orders from 2023 - advice for students

From 2023, key changes have been made to the list of compulsory courses as follows: PSYC2012 and PSYC3020 are compulsory. PSYC2002 is recoded to PSYC3202 and is still compulsory. Students will have to complete a minimum of 14 PSYC coded courses as per the program requirements.

• Students admitted to the BSPSY prior to 2023 are expected to follow the rules of the year in which which they were matriculated into the program and should complete the APAC accreditation requirements as they were prior to 2023.
• Students admitted to the BSPSY from 2023, including internal program transfer, will be expected to follow the rules of the year in which they were matriculated and should complete the APAC accreditation requirements as per the program orders from 2023. Students transfering into the program from 2023 are encouraged to seek academic advice, if PSYC2002 has already been completed.

Admission Requirements

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

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 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:

72 units from the completion of the following compulsory courses:

PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour (6 units)

PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context (6 units)

PSYC2001 Social Psychology (6 units)

PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour (6 units)

PSYC2008 Cognition (6 units)

PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology (6 units)

PSYC2012 Culture and Psychology (6 units)

PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods (6 units)

PSYC3020 Health Psychology (6 units)

PSYC3025 Psychopathology Across the Lifespan (6 units)

PSYC3026 Personality Psychology (6 units)

PSYC3202 Developmental Psychology (6 units)

12 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

The Bachelor of Visual Arts flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 48 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:

24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

ARTH1006 Art and Design Histories: Form and Space

ARTH1007 Art and Design Histories: Making and Meaning

ARTV3035 Creative Research Practice: Extending and Consolidating an Independent Project

6 units from completion of the foundation course:

ARTV1034 Foundations of Contemporary Arts Practices

12 units from completion of art history and theory courses from the following list:

ARTH2043 After the Bauhaus: Design from the Interwar Period to the Age of Climate Crisis

ARTH2044 Art and Its Context: Materials, Techniques, Display

ARTH2045 Curatorship History and Evolution

ARTH2050 Photography and Art

ARTH2052 Art of the Multiple

ARTH2056 Art and Architecture of Southeast Asia: Tradition and Transformation

ARTH2059 Art of Asia: Histories and Traditions

ARTH2061 The Postmodern and the Contemporary: World art, 1970 to the present

ARTH2080 Art and Visual Culture of the Long Eighteenth Century, 1660-1815

ARTH2081 Art of the European Courts, 1500-1815

ARTH2082 Art, War and Conflict

ARTH2097 Art of the Long Nineteenth Century

ARTH2098 Australian First Nations Art and Culture

ARTH2104 Asian Art In-Country

ARTH2162 Art in the Digital Age

ARTH2166 Individual Research Unit

ARTH2167 Issues in Contemporary Craft and Design

ARTH2168 Renaissance and Baroque Art

ARTH2169 Introducing Asian Modernisms

ARTH2170 Contemporary Asian Art

ARTH2171 Australian Art: The Modern Period

ARTH2173 Art and the Moving Image

ARTH2174 Art, Medicine, Gender from the Renaissance until Today

ARTH2175 Across the Pacific: Australian Interactions with

American Art and Art Worlds

ARTH2176 Cross Currents in Australian First Nations and

Non-Indigenous Art and Culture

ARTH3004 City Sites: studies in art, design and urbanity

12 units from completion of introductory studio courses from the following list:

ARTV1020 Figure and Life

ARTV1021 Image and Object

ARTV1033 Hold Everything: Studio Foundation

ARTV1101 Ceramics: Introduction to Clay Forming and Technology

ARTV1102 Ceramics: Throwing and Surface Decoration

ARTV1201 Furniture: Shape/Structure

ARTV1202 Furniture: Elevate/Surface

ARTV1301 Glass Hot Forming Introduction: Fundamentals for Contemporary Practice

ARTV1302 Glass Kiln Forming Introduction: Fundamentals for Contemporary Practice

ARTV1403 Jewellery and Object: Introduction to Precise Miniature Construction

ARTV1404 Jewellery and Object: Maker, Wearer, Viewer, User

ARTV1501 Painting: Introducing Painting

ARTV1502 Painting: Composition and Space

ARTV1601 Hyperanalogue: the alchemy of darkroom photography

ARTV1610 PhotoVideo: Interrogating the Camera

ARTV1611 Expanded Studio Practice: Constructing Worlds

ARTV1612 Video Art: Editing and Montage

ARTV1613 Foundations of Animation

ARTV1614 Post-Digital Photography: bending the image

ARTV1703 Intaglio print: Etching & monoprinting

ARTV1704 Drawing into Print: Screen Printing and Stencils

ARTV1705 Relief print: Image and text

ARTV1803 Supports: Conceptual and Material

ARTV1804 Place, Time and Wood

ARTV1901 Textiles: Plants and Place

ARTV1902 Repeat: Pattern and Disintegration - Textile, Print, Painting

DESA1021 Precise Drawing and Model Making

DESN1002 Visual Communication: Design and Production

DESN1003 Contemporary Design in Context

18 units from completion of intermediate/advanced studio courses from the following list:

ARTV2027 Professional Practice: Economies and Ecologies in the Australian Cultural Sector

ARTV2038 Workshop Atelier

ARTV2057 Hands On: Material Language

ARTV2059 Immersive Media

ARTV2060 Contexts of Making: Globalisation and Change

ARTV2061 Contexts of Making: Materiality and Situation

ARTV2117 Ceramics: Glaze and Colour Development

ARTV2119 Ceramics: Experimental Methods and Meanings

ARTV2120 Ceramics: Designing for the Table and Home

ARTV2124 Ceramics: Surface, Form and Connectivity

ARTV2125 Ceramics: Moulding, Casting and Digital Technologies

ARTV2207 Furniture: Support/Body

ARTV2208 Furniture: Contain/Display

ARTV2209 Furniture: Collect/Treasure

ARTV2313 Glass Kiln Casting for Contemporary Practice

ARTV2314 Glass Blowing for Contemporary Practice: Materiality and Form

ARTV2315 Glass Kiln Forming for Contemporary Practice

ARTV2316 Glass Blowing for Contemporary Practice: Utility and Narrative

ARTV2401 Jewellery and Object: Making with Machines

ARTV2402 Jewellery and Object: Utility as Context

ARTV2410 Jewellery and Object: Experimenting with Process

ARTV2506 Painting: Approaches to Abstraction

ARTV2507 Painting: Painting in the Photo Digital Age

ARTV2508 Painting: Taking Your Own Direction

ARTV2509 Painting: Approaches to Composition and Colour

ARTV2605 The Photographic Document: Materiality and Form

ARTV2607 Photomedia: Large Format Photography

ARTV2608 Photomedia: Experimental Processes

ARTV2609 Animation and Video: Visual Storytelling

ARTV2610 Animation and Video: Character Development

ARTV2613 Animation and Video: Landscape and Environment

ARTV2614 Animation and Video: Non-linear Forms

ARTV2706 Printmedia and Drawing: Drawing Beyond the Line

ARTV2707 Printmedia and Drawing: Extended Etching and Relief Printing

ARTV2708 Printmedia and Drawing: Construct Meaning with Drawing

ARTV2715 Printmedia and Drawing: Typography

ARTV2717 Printmedia and Drawing: The Book as Art

ARTV2723 Printmedia and Drawing: Extended Screen Printing

ARTV2727 Printmedia and Drawing: Lithography

ARTV2801 Socially Engaged Art Practice: Authorship, Dialogue and Community

ARTV2802 Politics of Memory: Video Installation, Sculpture, Documentary and Monuments

ARTV2810 Politics of Bodies: Sculpture, Figure Modelling, Performance and Choreography

ARTV2820 Politics of Spaces: Installation, Sculpture and Spatial Practice

ARTV2821 Posthuman Sculpture Practice with Active Materials: Bronze Casting, 3D Modelling and Bio Art

ARTV2830 Automation and Autonomy: Process, Accident, Sculpture

ARTV2907 Subverting Stitch

ARTV2908 Woven Worlds

ARTV2911 Spatial/Temporal Methods

ARTV2921 Environment Studio: Field based Research and Studio Practice in Visual Arts

ARTV3031 Making Research for a Studio Practice in the Visual Arts

ARTV3032 Demonstrating research methods for a studio practice in the visual arts

ARTV3507 Open to Influence: Studio Research

ARTV3508 Painting: Materiality and Meaning

ARTV3510 Painting: Critical Analysis and Reflection in the Studio

12 units from completion of courses listed in either the ‘introductory studio courses’ list or the ‘intermediate/advanced studio courses’ list above.

6 units from completion of an advanced studio course from the following list:

ARTV3028 Developing a Contemporary Craft Practice

ARTV3033 Creative Research Practice: Developing an Independent Work Proposal

6 units from completion of an engagement course from the following list:

ARTV2027 Professional Practice: Economies and Ecologies in the Australian Cultural Sector

ARTV2909 The Public Project: engagement strategies for artists, designers, institutions and communities

ARTV2921 Environment Studio: Field based Research and Studio Practice in Visual Arts

ARTV3031 Making Research for a Studio Practice in the Visual Arts

ARTV3032 Demonstrating Research Methods for a Studio Practice in Art and Design

Minors

Bachelor of Visual Arts Minors

Study Options