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 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.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically apply theoretical frameworks and research techniques to understand the global significance of Oceania as a region of diverse societies, cultures and languages;
   
2. Demonstrate an understanding of diverse disciplinary approaches and methods drawn from the humanities, social sciences and environmental studies, to synthesize knowledge about Oceania and its place in the
       world;
   
3. Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the diversity of indigenous, popular culture, policy and scholarly perspectives on and within Oceania;
   
4. Evaluate knowledge and ideas and debate issues using academic and other approaches addressing a variety of scholarly, policy and public audiences;
   
5. Exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems individually as well as collaboratively.

1. Understand, critically evaluate, apply, integrate and generate psychological knowledge in educational and professional contexts.
2. Develop and engage in a range of skills and methods to identify, analyse, critique and respond to complex problems involving psychological processes.
3. Systematically identify relevant psychological theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions.
4. Apply appropriate psychological research methods, including statistical techniques, to evaluate data.
5. Communicate psychological concepts and results clearly and effectively in written and oral formats to diverse audiences.
6. Work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives on psychological issues.
7. Critically examine psychological knowledge and skills, and their application, from diverse cultural perspectives, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ perspectives.
8. Utilise psychological knowledge and skills for exercising personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee entry into the program.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

• Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
  • completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
  • co-curricular or service requirement (applies to applicants who complete secondary education in the year prior to commencing at ANU); and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
  • previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if completed less than one full-time equivalent year (1.0 FTE) of a degree; or the result from a bridging or preparatory course; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
  • previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
  • ATAR or equivalent if secondary education was completed; or the Special Adult Entry Scheme (SAES); or work experience; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency  
As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission

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 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 144 units must include:

24 units from the following compulsory courses:

PASI1011 - Pacific Encounters: An introduction to Pacific Studies

PASI1012 - Pacific Worlds: critical inquiry in Oceania

PASI2001 - Pacific Studies in a Globalising World

PASI3001 - Politics and Development in the Contemporary Pacific

A minimum of 6 units from the following 3000 level PASI-coded courses:

PASI3002 - Gender and Sexuality in the Pacific

PASI3005 - Pacific Islands Field School

PASI3010 - Pacific Engagement Project

PASI3012 - Readings in Indigenous Studies

PASI3013 - Environment and Development in the Pacific

A minimum of 12 units from the following thematic lists:

History and Archaeology

ASIA2301 - Human migration and expansion in the rise of the Asia-Pacific

ARCH2005 - Archaeology of the Pacific Islanders

HIST2231 - Exploration: From Captain Cook to the Astronauts

PASI2002 - Australia in Oceania in the 19th and 20th centuries

WARS2004 - War in the Islands: The Second World War in the Pacific

Politics, international relations and security

ASIA2087 - Peace Building in the Pacific and Asia

ASIA2093 - Natural Resource Conflicts in Asia and the Pacific

INTR2010 - International Relations in the Asia-Pacific

PASI2030 - Study Tour: Regional Policymaking for Pacific Development

PASI3002 - Gender and Sexuality in the Pacific

POLS2055 - Pacific Politics

STST2001 - Security Concepts in the Asia-Pacific

STST2003 - Australia and Security in the Pacific

Environment and resources

ASIA2093 - Natural Resource Conflicts in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA2301 - Human Migration and Expansion in the Rise of the Asia-Pacific

ENVS2005 - Islands Sustainable Development: Fiji Field School

PASI2030 - Study Tour: Regional Policymaking for Pacific Development

PASI3013 - Environment and Development in the Pacific

Culture, literature and language

ASIA2001 - Language in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA2308 - Linguistic Histories in Asia and the Pacific

ASIA3053 - Rituals of Life and Death in Asia and the Pacific

PASI3002 - Gender and Sexuality in the Pacific

PASI3005 - Pacific Islands Field School

A maximum of 24 units from one of the following minors of languages spoken in the Pacific:

French Language and Culture Minor

Tetum Language Minor

Tok Pisin Language Minor

24 units from completion of one of the following minors:

Languages spoken in the Pacific or of historical and community importance:

Chinese language

French Language and Culture

German Language and Culture

Indonesian language

Japanese language

Tetum Language

Tok Pisin Language 

Spanish

Disciplinary and regional studies minors of relevance to the study of the Pacific Islands:

Archaeology

Art History and Theory

Asia-Pacific International Relations

Asian history  

Asian Art History

Asian and Pacific Anthropology

Asian and Pacific Culture, Media and Gender

Anthropology

Australian Indigenous Studies

Biodiversity and Conservation Management

Climate Science and Policy

Comparative Politics

Demography

Development Studies

Digital Humanities

Economic Studies

Environmental Policy

Environmental Studies

Gender and Sexuality

Geography

Heritage and Museum Studies

History

Human Rights

Indonesian Studies

International Relations

Linguistics

Peace and Conflict Studies

Philosophy

Political Science

Political Theory

Popular Music

Social Research Methods

Sociology 

Sustainable Development

Visual Arts Practice

War Studies

A maximum of 6 units from the completion of courses from VCUG Vice Chancellor’s Undergraduate Courses or the following list:

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program Internship A

ASIA2098 Asian and Pacific Studies Internship

ASIA2110  International Affairs Internship

ASIA3023 Asia Pacific Week Internship

LING2107 Advanced Academic English

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

Minors

Bachelor of Pacific Studies Minors

Study Options