Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Philosophy, Neuroscience and Psychology requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 30 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses

A minimum of 12 units of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving

The 144 units must consist of:

18 units from completion of the compulsory integrative courses from the following list:

PNPI1001 Introduction to Philosophy, Neuroscience and Psychology

PNPI2001 Topics in Philosophy, Neuroscience and Psychology

PNPI3001 Research in Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology

24 units from completion of Philosophy courses from the following lists:

12 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

PHIL1005 Logic and Critical Thinking (6 units)

PHIL2061 Philosophy of Mind (6 units)

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

PHIL2057 Philosophy of Science (6 units)

PHIL2082 Sex and Death: Philosophy of Biology (6 units)

6 units from completion of a 3000 level PHIL - Philosophy course

24 units from completion of compulsory Psychology courses from the following list:

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

PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour (6 units)

PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology (6 units)

PSYC3016 Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience (6 units)

24 units from completion of compulsory Neuroscience courses from the following list:

BIOL1008 Human Biology (6 units)

MEDN2001 Health and Medical Physiology (6 unit)

NEUR3101 Cellular Neuroscience (6 units)

NEUR3112 Systems Neuroscience (6 units)

6 units from completion of an Indigenous Perspectives course from the following list:

HLTH3001 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (6 units)

PSYC2012 Culture and Psychology (6 units)

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU.

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

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 the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (AQF) or equivalent and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; 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 the applicant has completed less than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) of higher education; or the results from a tertiary preparation program; 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:
  • secondary education if the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (AQF) or equivalent was completed; or the Work and Life Experience Based entry scheme; 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 a 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

Program-specific Requirements

Entry to the Bachelor of Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology is based on meeting the minimum selection rank requirement and involves an assessment of suitability based on the questions included in the Bachelor or of Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology Supplementary Form. Submission of this form is compulsory for all applicants. There are approximately 50 places available in each intake of the Bachelor of Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology. 

• For program-specific requirements for domestic applicants, please click here. 
• For program-specific requirements for international applicants, please click here.

The form must be submitted by the relevant application deadline. Submission of this form is compulsory for all applicants.

• For domestic applicants applying direct to ANU: The final deadline to add the Bachelor of Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology as a preference is 13 May 2024. The final deadline to submit the form is 20 May 2024 (you must have submitted your application by 13 May 2024). We will assess your application based on your Year 11 results plus any adjustments and the Bachelor of Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology supplementary form. Offers will be released in the September round only. Those who accept their September offer will have their offer honoured and confirmed in the December or January round as long as they complete Year 12 with an ATAR. The Bachelor of Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology will not be available to add during the change of preference dates and no new offers will be released in the December or January round. 
• For domestic applicants applying via UAC: The final deadline to add the Bachelor of Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology as a preference and submit the form is 1st December 2024. 
• For international applicants applying direct to ANU: The final deadline to add the Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology as a preference and submit the form is 15 November 2024.
• For international applicants applying via UAC: The final deadline to add the Bachelor of Philosophy, Neuroscience, and Psychology as a preference and submit the form is 1st December 2024.

Applications for internal degree transfers will not be available in 2025.

Pathways

N/A

Prerequisites

There are no formal program prerequisites however, for MEDN2001 knowledge of high school chemistry or equivalent is assumed, particularly water chemistry and solutions, concentration units, the nature of chemical bonds, stereochemistry and chirality of organic molecules, basic chemical structures of amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, and of biophysical forces governing diffusion of charged and non-charged molecules. 

Students who have not completed chemistry in either year 12 or at university level should consider enrolling in the ANU Chemistry bridging course available prior to the start of the semester or delay their study of MEDN2001 until later in their academic program when they will likely be better prepared for the demands of this curriculum. For more information about the Chemistry bridging course which is available in February through the ANU Research School of Chemistry - contact rsc.teaching@anu.edu.au for more information.

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.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

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.

Employment Opportunities

The BPNP program will cultivate a holistic understanding of the mind-brain connection. The program provides experience that will benefit graduates who intend to to apply for further study in the fields philosophy, neuroscience, and psychology. The BPNP is an excellent launch pad for a career in research, consulting, behavioural analysis, policy development, user-experience research, education, politics, medicine, and working in the public and private sectors.

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand and evaluate a variety of philosophical and scientific traditions about the relationship between brain, mind, and behaviour, including cross-cultural perspectives.
2.  Engage in critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources.
3. Communicate and justify complex concepts and results clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences.
4. Plan and engage in sustained critical investigations and evaluations of research topics both independently and as part of collaborative groups.
5. Display excellence in critical thinking, including the ability to critically evaluate a variety of inductive and deductive arguments.
6. Show familiarity with discipline-specific experimental approaches, simulations and research methodology. 

Further Information

Program advice:

Students should enrol in PHIL1005, PSYC1003, BIOL1008, and PNPI1001 in their first year of study.

This program includes the compulsory course MEDN2001, which has assumed knowledge of high school chemistry or equivalent, particularly water chemistry and solutions, concentration units, the nature of chemical bonds, stereochemistry and chirality of organic molecules, basic chemical structures of amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, and of biophysical forces governing diffusion of charged and non-charged molecules. Students who have not completed chemistry in either year 12 or at the university level should consider enrolling in the ANU Chemistry bridging course available prior to the start of the semester or delay their study of MEDN2001 until later in their academic program when they will likely be better prepared for the demands of this curriculum, if individual study plans allow.

Students seeking an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited program for professional practice should consider the Bachelor of Science (Psychology).

Students wishing to take an accredited psychology program and those interested in Psychology Honours, should seek advice by contacting students.chm@anu.edu.au .