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

Do you want to delve into an enthralling field that deals with the complexities of crime and responses to crime? Look no further.


The Bachelor of Criminology addresses the causes, politics and management of crime and criminal justice from a range of disciplinary perspectives.


You will develop an understanding of a range of issues in contemporary criminology including definitions and representations of crime, the complex social, political, and individual factors that underpin criminal activity, the operation of the criminal justice system. We offer courses on policing, the courts, prisons and punishment, organised crime, transnational crime, drugs and crime, young people and crime and more. The Bachelor of Criminology also has a strong focus on critical thinking, empirical methods and debates. This provides our graduates with valuable skills that translate across many career paths. 


The ANU Bachelor of Criminology draws attention to the social dimensions of crime and deviancy and assesses the effectiveness and implications of crime control measures.

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.

Career Options

ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.

We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.

Employment Opportunities

In the Bachelor of Criminology you will learn about the drivers of crime and how society responds to it. The breadth of knowledge that you learn can be applied to many different industries and institutions. Graduates may find work in government, intelligence, criminal justice institutions, social work, the non-government sector, research, consultancy, journalism and policy making.

In the Bachelor of Criminology you will learn about the drivers of crime and how society responds to it. The breadth of knowledge that you learn can be applied to many different industries and institutions. Graduates may find work in government, intelligence, criminal justice institutions, social work, the non-government sector, research, consultancy, journalism and policy making.

Learning Outcomes

  1. better understand the social conditions, forces and relations influencing crime and deviance, criminal justice system processes, and crime control interventions;
  2. develop analytical techniques and research skills for applied use in the fields of criminology and in social research;
  3. critically evaluate scholarly theories, concepts and methodological approaches relating to all aspects of contemporary criminological inquiry;
  4. critically evaluate criminal justice policies and practices from an informed interdisciplinary perspective; and
  5. express complex ideas and arguments across multiple modalities of communication when engaging with a range of relevant audiences in a clear, effective, appropriate and ethical manner.
  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.

Further Information

Completing the Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving Course Requirement

Students completing the Bachelor of Criminology are required to complete a minimum of 12 units of transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses as part of their program. TD courses listed in the BCRIM include:

ANIP3003 - Australian National Internships Program A (6 units)

ANIP3005 - Australian National Internships Program B (12 units)

ANTH2130 - Violence and Terror

CRIM3002 - Corruption in Sport

INDG3001 - First Nations Peoples, the State and Public Policy in Australia

POLS3036 - International Terrorism

PSYC2011 - Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology

SOCY2026 - Excessive Appetites: Sociocultural Perspectives on Addiction and Drug Use

SOCY2038 - Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods

SOCY2043 - Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

SOCY3001 - Research Internship


If you would prefer to complete courses outside this list to fulfill the TD course requirement, you may use your electives to choose any other TD course at ANU. To find a list of TD courses, please visit Programs and Courses and select the Transdisciplinary filter.


Students completing SOCR1001 - Foundations of Social Research; SOCY2038 - Introduction to Quantitative Methods; SOCY2043 - Introduction to Qualitative Methods; and CRIM3010 - Doing Criminology are eligible to nominate the Minor in Social Research Methods (SORM-MIN).

Completing the Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving Course Requirement

Students completing the Bachelor of Criminology are required to complete a minimum of 12 units of transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses as part of their program. TD courses listed in the BCRIM include:

ANIP3003 - Australian National Internships Program A (6 units)

ANIP3005 - Australian National Internships Program B (12 units)

ANTH2130 - Violence and Terror

CRIM3002 - Corruption in Sport

INDG3001 - First Nations Peoples, the State and Public Policy in Australia

POLS3036 - International Terrorism

PSYC2011 - Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology

SOCY2026 - Excessive Appetites: Sociocultural Perspectives on Addiction and Drug Use

SOCY2038 - Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods

SOCY2043 - Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

SOCY3001 - Research Internship


If you would prefer to complete courses outside this list to fulfill the TD course requirement, you may use your electives to choose any other TD course at ANU. To find a list of TD courses, please visit Programs and Courses and select the Transdisciplinary filter.


Students completing SOCR1001 - Foundations of Social Research; SOCY2038 - Introduction to Quantitative Methods; SOCY2043 - Introduction to Qualitative Methods; and CRIM3010 - Doing Criminology are eligible to nominate the Minor in Social Research Methods (SORM-MIN).

Admission Requirements

ATAR:
80
International Baccalaureate:
30

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are combined with an applicant's secondary education results to determine their Selection Rank. ANU offers adjustment factors based on equity, diversity, and/or performance principles, such as for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.

To be eligible for adjustment factors, you must have:

  • achieved a Selection Rank of 70 or more before adjustment factors are applied
  • if you have undertaken higher education, completed less than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) of a higher education program
  • applied for an eligible ANU bachelor degree program

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Indicative fees

Domestic International

Bachelor of Criminology - 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
$53,700.00

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 Criminology 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:

48 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

CRIM1001 - Criminological Imaginations: Understanding Criminality (6 units)

CRIM1002 - Criminological Perspectives: Understanding Crime (6 units)

CRIM3001 - Professional Perspectives on Crime and Prevention (6 units)

CRIM3005 - Diversity and Crime: Equality in the Criminal Justice System (6 units)

CRIM3010 - Doing Criminology: Research and Practice in Crime and Criminal Justice (6 units)

SOCR1001 - Foundations of Social Research (6 units)

SOCY2038 - Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods (6 units)

SOCY2043 - Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods (6 units)


6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

ANTH1002 - Culture and Human Diversity: Introducing Anthropology (6 units)

ANTH1003 - Global Citizen: Culture, Development and Inequality (6 units)

ASIA1025 - Asia and the Pacific: Power, diversity and change (6 units)

ASIA1030 - Asia and the Pacific in Motion (6 units)

ECON1101 - Microeconomics 1 (6 units)

ECON1102 - Macroeconomics 1 (6 units)

GEND1001 - Sex, Gender and Identity: An Introduction to Gender Studies (6 units)

GEND1002 - Reading Popular Culture: An Introduction to Cultural Studies (6 units)

HIST1209 - Terror to Terrorism: A History (6 units)

INDG1001 - Country, Kinship and Continuities: An Introduction to Australian Indigenous Studies (6 units)

INDG1002 - Resilience, Responsibility, and Resurgence: First Peoples' Experiences and Ways of Being (6 units)

INTR1021 - Understanding Peace and Conflict (6 units)

INTR1022 - Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution (6 units)

LING1001 - Introduction to the Study of Language (6 units)

LING1002 - The Social Life of Language (6 units)

PHIL1004 - Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction (6 units)

PHIL1005 - Logic and Critical Thinking (6 units)

POLS1002 - Introduction to Politics (6 units)

POLS1005 - Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts (6 units)

SOCY1002 - Self and Society (6 units)

SOCY1004 - Economy and Society: Work, Care and Identity (6 units)

STAT1003 - Statistical Techniques (6 units)

STST1001 - Introduction to International Security Studies (6 units)

STST1004 - How Nations Fight (6 units)


A maximum of 30 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ANTH2017 - Culture, Social Justice and Aboriginal Society Today (6 units)

ANTH2130 - Violence and Terror (6 units)

BIAN2128 - Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology (6 units)

CRIM2002 - Organised Crime: Understanding the Underworld (6 units)

CRIM2003 - Controversies in Crime Control (6 units)

CRIM2005 - Alcohol, Drugs and Crime: Promoting Health and Preventing Consequences (6 units)

CRIM2006 - Young People and Crime: Developmental Criminology and its Discontents (6 units)

CRIM2007 - Order in the Courts: An Introduction to the Australian Judicial System (6 units)

CRIM2008 - Punishment and Society: An Introduction to Penology (6 units)

CRIM2009 - Corruption in our World (6 units)

CRIM2010 - Cybercrime: An Introduction (6 units)

CRIM2011 - Special Topics in Criminology (6 units)

CRIM2013 - Policing (6 units)

CRIM2014 - Introduction to Crime Science (6 units)

CRIM2015 - Targeted Violence: Criminological Approaches to Understanding and Prevention (6 units)

GEND2037 - Young People, Sex & Consent (6 units)

HIST2232 - Crime and Justice: Historical Dilemmas (6 units)

LING2105 - Forensic Linguistics: Language and the Law (6 units)

PHIL2020 - Theories of Social Justice (6 units)

POLS2100 - Genocide in the Modern World (6 units)

PSYC2011 - Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology (6 units)

SOCY2026 - Excessive Appetites: Sociocultural Perspectives on Addiction and Drug Use (6 units)

SOCY2157 - Surveillance and Society (6 units)


A minimum of 12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ANIP3003 - Australian National Internships Program A (6 units)

ANIP3005 - Australian National Internships Program B (12 units)

CRIM3002 - Corruption in Sport (6 units)

CRIM3003 - Criminology at the Scene 1 (6 units)

CRIM3006 - Crime Prevention: Evaluation Theory and Practice (6 units)

INDG3001 - First Nations Peoples, the State and Public Policy in Australia (6 units)

LING3032 - Forensic Linguistics: Forensic Voice and Text Comparison (6 units)

POLS3036 - International Terrorism (6 units)

SOCR3001 - Data for Decision Making (6 units)

SOCY3001 - Research Internship (6 units)

The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units may come from the completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 84 units must come from completion of courses from the discipline area PSYC – Psychology

The 96 units must include:

A minimum of 84 units, which must come from completion of courses from the following lists

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

Study Options

Year 1 CRIM1001 Criminological Imaginations: Understanding Criminality 6 units 6 units from the 1000 level list PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour 6 units BSPSY or ANU elective course 6 units
CRIM1002 Criminological Perspectives: Understanding Crime 6 units SOCR1001 Foundations of Social Research 6 units PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context 6 units BSPSY or ANU elective course 6 units
Year 2 SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods 6 units 6 units from BCRIM maximum 30 unit list or minimum 6 unit list PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology 6 units PSYC2012 Culture and Psychology 6 units
SOCY2043 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods 6 units 6 units from BCRIM maximum 30 unit list or minimum 6 unit list PSYC2001 Social Psychology 6 units PSYC2008 Cognition 6 units
Year 3 CRIM3010 Doing Criminology: Advanced Research Methods 6 units 6 units from BCRIM maximum 30 unit list or minimum 6 unit list PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods 6 units PSYC3025 Psychopathology Across the Lifespan 6 units
CRIM3001 Professional Perspectives on Crime and Prevention 6 units 6 units from BCRIM maximum 30 unit list or minimum 6 unit list PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour 6 units PSYC3020 Health Psychology 6 units
Year 4 CRIM3005 Diversity and Crime: Equality in the Criminal Justice System 6 units 6 units from BCRIM maximum 30 unit list or minimum 6 unit list PSYC3202 Developmental Psychology 6 units 3000 level PSYC course 6 units
6 units from BCRIM maximum 30 unit list or minimum 6 unit list 6 units from BCRIM maximum 30 unit list or minimum 6 unit list PSYC3026 Personality Psychology 6 units 3000 level PSYC course 6 units

Back to the Bachelor of Criminology page

Enrolling for the first time can be overwhelming. Below, you will find information that will assist. Please note that advice on this page is indicative, and you are encouraged to contact the CASS Student office at students.cass@anu.edu.au or visit the the CASS student office website  if you require tailored information.? 

Important items to note:

  • We recommend you start a CASS Program Plan. This is a way to track how the courses you take fit within the overall structure of your degree and will help you plan for your later year courses.
  • The Bachelor of Criminology can be taken as a single degree or combined with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD). When the Bachelor of Criminology is combined with another undergraduate degree through a Flexible Double Degree, 48 units of ANU electives units are replaced with the core requirements of the other degree and the total program duration is expanded to 192 units (4 years Full-Time) or 240 units (5 years Full-Time) depending on the duration of the other program.

Semester 2 commencers
Please note that if you are commencing your studies in Semester 2 there may be restrictions on the courses available for enrolment. If you have concerns, please contact?students.cass@anu.edu.au

Single degree

The Bachelor of Criminology requires 144 units (24 courses), including:

  • A maximum of 60 units from 1000-level courses (i.e. 10 x 6 unit courses)
  • Eight compulsory courses  
  • A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (i.e. 2 x 6 unit courses)

Double degree

The total number of overall units in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD) depends on the FDD combination e.g.

  • Flexible Double Degree - Arts, Social Sciences, Business, Science (4050): 192 units

  • Flexible Double Degree - Law (Honours) (4350), Flexible Double Degree PhB Advanced Arts Social Sciences Business & Science (4569), or Flexible Double Degree - Engineering and Advanced Computing (Honours) (4750): 240 units

Of which a minimum of 12 units (i.e. 2 x 6 unit courses) must be tagged as transdisciplinary problem-solving. These courses may be taken in either component of the FDD.

The Bachelor of Criminology component of an FDD requires 96 units, including:

  • A maximum of 36 units from 1000-level courses (i.e. 6 x 6 unit courses)
  • Eight compulsory courses  
  • A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (i.e. 2 x 6 unit courses)

Enrolment Status

Duration

The Bachelor of Criminology typically takes three years to complete on a full-time basis. Students will usually take 24-units (four x six-unit courses) each semester and there are two semesters each year. One course is typically worth six-units.

In total, students need to complete 144 units of study towards the Bachelor of Criminology. This will be 24 courses if all courses are worth six-units, but may be fewer if one or more courses of 12-units or more are taken.

If you combine the Bachelor of Criminology with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree, you will need to complete a total of 192 units (32 six-unit courses) or 240 units (40 six-unit courses) depending on the combination. This will typically take four years for a 192-unit degree or five years for a 240-unit degree on a full-time basis.

Domestic students?may choose to enrol in fewer than 24-units in any semester or half-year study period. Students studying 18 or more units in a half year (January – June or July – December) are considered full-time. Students studying less than this are considered part-time.

If you take fewer than 24-units in any half year period, then your degree is likely to take longer than three years to complete.

International students?on a student visa are required to enrol in a full-time study load of 24-units in each half year study period (Summer, Semester 1, Autumn or Winter, Semester 2, Spring) unless they have been approved for Reduced Study Load or program leave.

Maximum time for completion? 

  • The maximum period for completion of the single Bachelor of Criminology degree is 10 years from the date of first enrolment in the program. This 10 years includes any periods of leave.
  • The maximum period for completion of a flexible double degree is 10 years for a 192-unit degree or 11 years for a 240-unit degree from the date of first enrolment in the program. The maximum period includes periods of leave.

A transfer of credit (status) from previous studies will reduce the total amount of time remaining to complete the balance of your degree. When you are assessed for credit, you will be notified of the new maximum end date for your degree in your credit offer. 

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

In your first year, you will typically enrol in 1000-level courses – these courses have ‘1’ as the first number in their course code. E.g. CRIM1001, CRIM1002. Many 2000 and 3000 level courses build upon the specific knowledge achieved through 1000-level courses 

You may take 1000-level courses later in your program.  But remember you can’t count more than 10 x 1000-level courses (60 units) towards your single degree or 6 x 1000-level courses (36 units) towards your Criminology half of the double degree.

Electives

Electives are courses that provide freedom for you to select subjects that align to your personal interests and career aspirations in a more individualised way than is possible through general major or degree requirements. An ANU elective is a course that you can select without restriction, beyond the global requirements of your program (e.g. limits on 1000-level courses, etc).

In the Bachelor of Criminology, you can select a minimum of 48 units of electives. You can try a range of courses such as computing, history, or marketing. The choice is yours.

We also recommend holding some ANU electives in reserve to keep other opportunities open, such as international exchange, internships, and meeting the transdisciplinary requirements of your degree.

Study Options

Single degree

For study plans, please visit cass.anu.edu.au/current-students/degrees-and-program-plans

Study Options

Year 1 48 units ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~

Study Plan

For study plans, please visit cass.anu.edu.au/current-students/degrees-and-program-plans

Study Options

Year 1 48 units ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~

FDD

Please refer to the "Study" tab.

Study Options

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

Disciplines

Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving Courses (TD)

Transdisciplinary courses at the ANU are courses that encourage students to collaborate across different disciplines and perspectives to solve complex problems.?These courses help students develop skills to synthesise knowledge from different fields. 

In this degree, you will have to complete 12 units of courses flagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (TD). TD courses can be identified using the Programs and Courses search engine.

You can satisfy this requirement through a course/s listed in the program or through the ANU electives it all depends on how you structure your degree and your other enrolment choices.

Academic Advice

Course Credit

If you have undertaken previous study that is relevant to your current academic program, you can request to receive course credit. For more information and how to apply, see the CASS credit application webpage, or contact the CASS Student Office.

For further information on prerequisites and Arts and Social Science disciplines you can:

  • Email us at students.cass@anu.edu.au, or

  •  Come and talk to someone - you can attend a drop in session with an academic advisor here  

 

Back to the Bachelor of Science (Psychology) page

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.

Note: Advice on this page is indicative only. Where a number of courses has been identified, it assumes that all of your courses are 6-units. If you take a course worth 12-units please refer to the unit-load in the study requirements in the program orders.


This degree can be taken as a single degree or combined with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD).When the Bachelor of Science is combined with another undergraduate degree through a Flexible Double Degree, 48 units of ANU electives units are replaced with the core requirements of the other degree and the total program duration is expanded to 192 units (4 years Full-Time) or 240 units (5 years Full-Time) depending on the duration of the other program.

Semester 2 commencers
Please note that if you are commencing your studies in Semester 2 there may be restrictions on the courses available for enrolment. If you have concerns, please contact students.cos@anu.edu.au. Advisory sessions will be held the week before semester commences.


Single degree

The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) requires 144 units (24 courses), including:

  • A maximum of 10 x 1000-level courses
  • A minimum of 7 x 3000-level courses PSYC coded courses
  • 12 x compulsory PSYC courses
  • A minimum of 2 transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses (embedded in the compulsory courses)
  • A maximum of 10 courses from the lists in the BSPSY not previously taken or other ANU electives

Double degree

The total number of overall units in a Flexible Double Degree (FDD) depends on the FDD combination eg.

  • 4050: 192 units
  • 4350, 4569, 4750: 240 units

Of which a minimum of 2 courses must be tagged as transdisciplinary problem-solving. These courses may be taken in either component of the FDD.

The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) component of an FDD requires 96 units, including:

  • A maximum of 6 x 1000-level courses
  • A minimum of 7 x 3000-level courses PSYC coded courses
  • 12 x compulsory PSYC courses
  • A minimum of 2 transdisciplinary problem-solving (TD) courses (embedded in the compulsory courses)
  • A maximum of 2 courses from the lists in the BSPSY not previously taken or other ANU electives

About this degree

This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). You will need to complete a minimum of 14 Psychology (84 units) including the following APAC accredited sequence of courses:

Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving courses

 In this degree, you will have to complete 12 units of courses flagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving (TD). TD courses can be identified using the Programs and Courses search engine. 
In the Bachelor of Science (Psychology), this requirement will be satisfied through PSYC2007 and PSYC3020.

Enrolment Status

Duration

The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) typically takes three years to complete on a full-time basis. Students will usually take 24-units (four six-unit courses) each semester and there are two semesters each year. One course is typically worth six-units.

In total, students need to complete 144 units of study towards the Bachelor of Science. This will be 24 courses if all courses are worth six-units, but may be fewer if one or more courses of 12-units or more are taken.

  • If you combine the Bachelor of Science (Psychology) with another degree in a Flexible Double Degree, you will need to complete a total of 192 units (32 six-unit courses) or 240 units (40 six-unit courses)  depending on the combination. This will typically take four years for a 192-unit degree or five years for a 240-unit degree .

 Domestic students may choose to enrol in fewer than 24-units in any semester or half-year study period. Students studying 18 or more units in a half year (January – June or July – December) are considered full-time. Students studying less than this are considered part-time.

If you take fewer than 24-units in any half year period, then your degree is likely to take longer than three years to complete.

International students on a student visa are required to enrol in a full-time study load of 24-units in each half year study period (Summer, Semester 1, Autumn or Winter, Semester 2, Spring) unless they have been approved for Reduced Study Load or program leave.

Maximum time for completion

  • The maximum period for completion of the single Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree is ten years from the date of first enrolment in the program. This ten years includes any periods of leave.
  • The maximum period for completion of a flexible double degree is ten years for a 192-unit degree or 11 years for a 240-unit degree from the date of first enrolment in the program. The maximum period includes periods of leave.


A transfer of credit (status) from previous studies will reduce the total amount of time remaining to complete the balance of your degree. When you are assessed for credit, you will be notified of the new maximum end date for your degree in your credit offer.

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

There are 2 compulsory 1000 level courses you must take in your first 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 Psychology half of the double degree.

Electives

Remember you can choose up to 10 courses from another ANU College if you are undertaking the single Bachelor of Science (Psychology) program. You can try a range of courses or take a major or minor in a non-psychology subject, such as philosophy, history or computing. The choice is yours.

How do I use my electives?

Electives are courses that provide freedom for you to select subjects that align to your personal interests and career aspirations in a more individualised way than is possible through general major or degree requirements. An ANU elective is a course that you can select without restriction, beyond the global requirements of your program (e.g. limits on 1000-level courses, etc).

We also recommend holding some ANU electives in reserve to keep other opportunities open, such as international exchange, internships, and meeting the transdisciplinary requirements of your degree.



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 ANU elective 6 units ANU elective 6 units ANU elective 6 units
PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context 6 units ANU elective 6 units ANU elective 6 units ANU elective 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 ANU elective 6 units Degree B Course 6 units Degree B Course 6 units
PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context 6 units ANU elective 6 units Degree B Course 6 units Degree B Course 6 units

Academic Advice

For further information, you can:

If you need help on any aspect of university life, our "Need Help" webpage is a good place to start and can link you to services across the University.

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