Overview 2021
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- What is an ATAR
- CRICOS: 089945D
"The training that I received at UTAS has an impact on almost everything I do in the work place and allows me to be a true professional in my field."
If you want to develop knowledge and skills that will enrich your personal and professional life, or your goal is to become a research scientist, counsellor or registered psychologist, the Bachelor of Psychological Science provides the perfect foundation. When you study the science of psychology you will learn about the biological and psychological principles of human behaviour, and will develop the transferable skills of critical thinking, communication and problem solving that are vital everywhere people interact. These include:
- counselling
- criminal justice
- neuroscience
- health services support e.g. drug and alcohol, cancer, disability, rehabilitation
- aged, family and child services
- probation and parole services
- policy and planning
- business
- marketing
- education
- public affairs
- human resources, and numerous other areas
PLEASE NOTE: The first year of this course is available at Cradle Coast Campus in Burnie. When applying please select Launceston or Hobart, once you have accepted your offer you will be able to enrol in units delivered in Burnie. If you would like to discuss, please enquire now.
Course objectives
The outcomes of the course are framed by the Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) and by the threshold learning outcomes of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, and comply with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accreditation standards of quality and competence. However, the course extends beyond such standards by introducing discipline- and area-specific units and skills-based training.
Learning outcomes
- Analyse major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and evolution of ideas in psychology to professionally and ethically address contemporary issues of cognition and behaviour.
- Reflect on the quality of your own and others’ decisions through critical thinking, sceptical inquiry and interpretation of research evidence, acknowledging the ambiguity of competing explanations.
- Embrace a variety of approaches to lifelong learning to understand diverse influences on behaviour.
- Use contemporary techniques to effectively and ethically communicate with a range of audiences to disseminate knowledge.
Practical experience
Learn beyond the classroom
Studying in Tasmania, our whole Island becomes your campus. Speak with your unit coordinator about how you can gain practical experience by volunteering in research initiatives, becoming an ambassador, or taking part in a work experience program.
Work placement
The University of Tasmania is integrated into all areas of industry locally, nationally and internationally be it through research or work placement programs. Talk to your course coordinator about finding an opportunity to take part in a work experience, placement, or extracurricular activities during your degree.
Career outcomes
It is easy to feel rushed for time, as though we only have one shot at getting something right; however, this is not the case. Lifelong learning requires making mistakes and sometimes even realising that despite how far you’ve come, it’s now time to try something different.
There are many career pathways available for students who have completed a degree in psychology, including:
- Counselling
- Aged, family and child services
- Community health and welfare
- Health services support e.g. Drug and alcohol, cancer, disability, rehabilitation
- Human Resource Management
- Marketing and Market Research
- Employment and training services
- Teaching
- Probation and parole services
- Policy and planning
If you aim to become a registered psychologist you will need to complete an APAC accredited fourth year psychology qualification e.g. Honours in Psychology, and then follow one of the following pathways:
- Option 1: 5 + 1 Internship Pathway, e.g. Master of Professional Psychology
- Option 2: APAC-accredited postgraduate professional psychology degree, e.g. Master of Psychology (Clinical)
Further information about these options can be found on the Australian Psychological Society website.
Postgraduate study
In addition to the above, if you successfully complete this course, you may be also be eligible to apply for a range of other postgraduate courses including Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and Masters by coursework and research.
Professional Recognition
Accreditation Status: The Bachelor of Psychological Science (53F) is fully accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Further information on accreditation status of psychology courses can be viewed on the APAC website.
Graduates who complete both an accredited undergraduate sequence and subsequently complete an APAC accredited fourth year psychology qualification will be eligible for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia, with eligibility for full registration following two years of appropriate postgraduate training. Graduates will be eligible for membership of the Australian Psychological Society on completion of an accredited two-year postgraduate program in psychology.
Course structure
Standard Pathway
YEAR ONE
In today’s information-rich world it is essential to be able to interpret and critically evaluate empirical and popular reports of psychological research, as well as research findings more broadly. We need to be able to recognise the characteristics of valid…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for PSY111 Transferable Skills in Psychology
Brain and Behaviour provides an introduction to key topics in psychology with an emphasis on their biological basis. Topics include biological psychology, sensation and perception, learning, motivation, emotion, human development, language, and states of consciousness. Key theories and related research…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
Human behaviour is not universal. Why do individuals behave the way they do? Lecture content will introduce and explore theoretical descriptions of individual differences such as personality and intelligence that can impact behaviour in a variety of contexts, as well…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for PSY124 Mental Health and Individual Differences
How do humans perceive the world around them, learn, and make decisions? Under what conditions do we do these things well? When and why do things go a bit “pear-shaped”? How can we be better? This unit introduces the study…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
YEAR TWO
The lectures examine aspects of overt social behaviour, such as two-person encounters, behaviour in small and large groups and inter-group relations. Research in social cognition, which studies people’s perceptions and interpretations of the social world, will also be presented. Lecture…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
The field of psychology has an aim that, on the surface, appears straightforward: to understand human behaviour. However, human behaviour is varied and complex, and achieving this goal presents a considerable challenge. Researchers must be familiar with and adhere to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit introduces students to major theoretical and empirical perspectives on the psychology of health and wellbeing. It examines the psychosocial determinants of health and wellness as well as psychological theories of health protection and illness prevention. Issues relating to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for PSY223 Health and Psychological Wellbeing
This unit provides intermediate level coverage of material introduced in Brain and Behaviour (PSY112) and Psychological Processes (PSY125). Lectures will extend upon introductory material related to the biological basis of behaviour, including the structure and function of the nervous system,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for PSY224 Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience
YEAR THREE
This unit provides coverage of human development over the lifespan (infancy to old age) including cognitive and social-emotional domains of development. The major periods of development are examined, including infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood, emphasising predominant developmental aspects for different…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for PSY302 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
This unit aims to introduce students to a range of psychiatric disorders includingpsychological symptoms, theoretical models, assessment and evidence-basedtreatments. Consideration is given to a range of cognitive-behavioural strategiesemployed by clinical psychologists in the treatment of various mental healthconditions. Students will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Psychology, the study of human behaviour, is wondrous in its complexity. Individual behaviour is affected and influenced by many factors, including biological, neurological, psychological and cultural. Psychologists can and do measure all of these factors and understand that the relationships…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for PSY311 Advanced Research Skills in Psychology
This unit will provide an introduction to psychology and law. The progression of lecture topics in this unit will roughly follow the course of an investigation and trial of a criminal case, covering issues such as eyewitness memory; false memories;…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit offers a systematic approach to understanding psychological symptoms and psychopathology. Theoretical models of psychopathology, as well as psychological assessment and evidence-based interventions will be explored. Consideration is given to a range of psychological assessment and intervention strategies and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for PSY324 Psychological Assessment and Intervention
This advanced unit builds on the intermediate material covered in PSY224 (Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience) which forms a basis for understanding neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Lectures in neuropsychology will cover the neuroscience of major neuropsychological disorders and syndromes (e.g., neurodegenerative…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for PSY325 Neuropsychology and Clinical Neuroscience
Language is what makes us human. It influences our thoughts and affects our lives in even more ways that we might expect. In this advanced unit, students are introduced to the most important and strongly debated issues in the psychology…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Extreme environments are so named due to the unique challenges they pose to human performance. In this online unit you will learn about the factors that characterise an environment as extreme, and how living and/or working in an extreme environment…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for PSY336 Human Behaviour in Extreme Environments
Graduate Entry Pathway
Core Units
In today’s information-rich world it is essential to be able to interpret and critically evaluate empirical and popular reports of psychological research, as well as research findings more broadly. We need to be able to recognise the characteristics of valid…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for PSY111 Transferable Skills in Psychology
Brain and Behaviour provides an introduction to key topics in psychology with an emphasis on their biological basis. Topics include biological psychology, sensation and perception, learning, motivation, emotion, human development, language, and states of consciousness. Key theories and related research…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
Human behaviour is not universal. Why do individuals behave the way they do? Lecture content will introduce and explore theoretical descriptions of individual differences such as personality and intelligence that can impact behaviour in a variety of contexts, as well…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for PSY124 Mental Health and Individual Differences
How do humans perceive the world around them, learn, and make decisions? Under what conditions do we do these things well? When and why do things go a bit “pear-shaped”? How can we be better? This unit introduces the study…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 2 | ||||
The lectures examine aspects of overt social behaviour, such as two-person encounters, behaviour in small and large groups and inter-group relations. Research in social cognition, which studies people’s perceptions and interpretations of the social world, will also be presented. Lecture…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
The field of psychology has an aim that, on the surface, appears straightforward: to understand human behaviour. However, human behaviour is varied and complex, and achieving this goal presents a considerable challenge. Researchers must be familiar with and adhere to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit introduces students to major theoretical and empirical perspectives on the psychology of health and wellbeing. It examines the psychosocial determinants of health and wellness as well as psychological theories of health protection and illness prevention. Issues relating to…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for PSY223 Health and Psychological Wellbeing
This unit provides intermediate level coverage of material introduced in Brain and Behaviour (PSY112) and Psychological Processes (PSY125). Lectures will extend upon introductory material related to the biological basis of behaviour, including the structure and function of the nervous system,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for PSY224 Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience
This unit provides coverage of human development over the lifespan (infancy to old age) including cognitive and social-emotional domains of development. The major periods of development are examined, including infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood, emphasising predominant developmental aspects for different…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for PSY302 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
This unit aims to introduce students to a range of psychiatric disorders includingpsychological symptoms, theoretical models, assessment and evidence-basedtreatments. Consideration is given to a range of cognitive-behavioural strategiesemployed by clinical psychologists in the treatment of various mental healthconditions. Students will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Psychology, the study of human behaviour, is wondrous in its complexity. Individual behaviour is affected and influenced by many factors, including biological, neurological, psychological and cultural. Psychologists can and do measure all of these factors and understand that the relationships…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for PSY311 Advanced Research Skills in Psychology
This unit will provide an introduction to psychology and law. The progression of lecture topics in this unit will roughly follow the course of an investigation and trial of a criminal case, covering issues such as eyewitness memory; false memories;…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit offers a systematic approach to understanding psychological symptoms and psychopathology. Theoretical models of psychopathology, as well as psychological assessment and evidence-based interventions will be explored. Consideration is given to a range of psychological assessment and intervention strategies and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for PSY324 Psychological Assessment and Intervention
This advanced unit builds on the intermediate material covered in PSY224 (Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience) which forms a basis for understanding neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Lectures in neuropsychology will cover the neuroscience of major neuropsychological disorders and syndromes (e.g., neurodegenerative…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for PSY325 Neuropsychology and Clinical Neuroscience
Language is what makes us human. It influences our thoughts and affects our lives in even more ways that we might expect. In this advanced unit, students are introduced to the most important and strongly debated issues in the psychology…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Extreme environments are so named due to the unique challenges they pose to human performance. In this online unit you will learn about the factors that characterise an environment as extreme, and how living and/or working in an extreme environment…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for PSY336 Human Behaviour in Extreme Environments
Need help choosing your first year units? Try the Unit Selection Guide.
Entry requirements
Entry Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you’re not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study at UTAS.
DOMESTIC APPLICANTS
Domestic applicants who recently completed secondary education (completed in the past two years)
Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. In 2020, the lowest ATAR to receive an offer into this course was 65.15. The lowest ATAR to receive an offer may change from year to year based on the number of applications we receive.
Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your individual subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.
Domestic applicants with higher education study
To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have:
- Partially completed an undergraduate course (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least two units of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points). If an applicant has failed any units the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made
Graduate Entry Pathway
To be eligible for an offer into the graduate entry pathway you must have completed a Bachelor degree (or equivalent) or higher in any discipline in the past 10 years.
Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study
To be eligible for an offer, you must have completed a Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Certificate IV in any discipline.
Domestic applicants with work and life experience
Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement. Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.
We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Admissions information for international applicants, including English language requirements, is available from the International Future Students site. You can also enquire online to check your eligibility.
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at the Domestic Student Fees website, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
2021 Total Course Fee (international students): $102,350 AUD*.
Course cost based on a rate of $32,950 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
International students
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries