Explore our courses
Bachelor of Psychological Science
3 years full-time, up to 7 years part-time 
Hobart, Launceston, Cradle Coast, online
3 years full-time Hobart, Launceston, Cradle Coast, online *
CRICOS 089945D
Accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council
This course is the first step on your journey to becoming a registered psychologist
Learn from academics
active in industry
Work one-on-one with world-class academics on real research projects right from first year
Connect with
your community
Study topics relevant to Tasmanian communities and workplaces so you can help understand and improve local health systems
The Bachelor of Psychological Science provides a broad range of skills and knowledge, and confidence to pursue a wide range of careers upon graduation, without becoming a registered psychologist.
The Bachelor of Psychological Sciences is training in scientific thinking and methodology, covering the major theoretical areas of Psychology. Being a degree in Psychological Sciences, if your aim is to become a registered psychologist, your next step is the Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours. This degree is the preparation and it paves the way for many interesting career options, including those to go on to be a Psychologist.
The Bachelor of Psychological Sciences is ideal for students who are considering a career in psychology, but also want to keep their options open.
You will receive grounding in the major areas of Psychology:
- Clinical Psychology - the major divisions of psychological disorder and the treatments most commonly associated with them.
- Neuro Psychology - concerned with the structure of the brain, the nervous system, the chemicals within them and how they affect how people function.
- Cognitive Psychology - looks at decision making, thinking, and memory. Akin to the software of the mind.
- Social Psychology - the way people interact with each other in work, family, school settings etc. This is not so much about people who are unwell, but those wish to improve the way they interact.
- Developmental Psychology - the way in which your capacity to think, communicate and remember changes through the life span.
Your coursework will equip you with skills to design research projects and analyse behaviour. The degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
If your aim is to become a registered psychologist, these steps will get you there:
- Complete our Bachelor of Psychological Science.
- Complete an APAC accredited, one-year honours in psychology
- Complete two additional years of training through postgraduate study
Add sustainability to your degree
As part of our commitment to sustainability, we have created a complementary, optional major available across most of our flexible bachelor's degrees.
In the major, explore interdisciplinary knowledge and skills that underpin the development of sustainable societies and solutions. Informed by international and local research, practice, and theory, this major allows you to develop specialist expertise across the physical and social sciences and humanities, emphasising student-led and problem-based learning.
It provides the frameworks for developing sustainability-oriented solutions in a range of fields and is relevant to a wide range of careers.
Combined study options
Choosing a double degree allows you to deepen your knowledge within two separate study areas. This means you can pursue your career and follow your passion at the same time. And when you graduate, you’ll have a set of skills that will really set you apart.
The Bachelor of Psychological Science can be combined with a number of other degrees. Visit the Double Degrees page to learn more.
Further study options
While the Bachelor of Psychological Science provides skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue a wide range of careers upon graduation, you may also wish to explore further study options. In particular, if your aim is to become a registered psychologist, your next step is the Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours.
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 follow that with an APAC accredited postgraduate degree, e.g. Masters of Professional Psychology.
Even if you don't plan to do Masters, an Honours degree can boost your skills in research, project planning and critical thinking. This will further deepen your subject knowledge, providing valuable support for your future career.
The Master of Professional Psychology is the fifth year of a 5+1 internship program comprising coursework, research training and practical placements. The course provides preparation for progression to a one-year Psychology Board of Australia approved internship program through the development of professional skills, in tandem with theoretical and empirical knowledge, in line with the scientist-practitioner model. Research training, including the ability to critically assess and apply research findings to inform evidence-based professional practice, is also provided.
The Master of Psychology (Clinical) is a professional training program in psychology which will prepare you for undertaking the Clinical Psychology registrar pathway to become an endorsed Clinical Psychologist. The course is built around a community-focussed, scientist-practitioner model, with an ungraded-pass methodology that focuses on collegiality, competency development, and a genuine depth and breadth of learning that builds confidence and competence to prepare you for an exceptional career
Visit Postgraduate Psychology for more postgraduate study options. You can also view the Pathways to becoming an AHPRA registered Psychologist (PDF 57.3 KB).
If you want to become a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or speech pathologist we have an exciting new way for high school graduates to get guaranteed entry into one of our allied health degrees! If you've finished your Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) or International Baccalaureate (IB) in Tasmania in the last 12 months, you could be eligible. Up to 10 places in each of the three Allied Health courses are reserved for students like you, based on your ATAR. To qualify, you first need to enrol in one of these degrees at the University of Tasmania:
- Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (53J)
- Bachelor of Biomedicine (M3X)
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (53F)
You'll need to apply for one of the above courses, study full-time, complete all the required pre-requisite units, and keep a minimum GPA of 5.0 (Credit or better average). Remember, you can't defer your start date. This is a great opportunity to kickstart your career in allied health!
Once you have applied for one of the above degrees, please complete and submit this form to apply for the Guaranteed Entry Pathway to the Allied Health course of your choice.
Please note the closing date for this study pathway is 1st December 2026.
Whether the context is health, human movement, development, climate change, gambling, relationships or mental health, our research is world-class.
Find out more about our research projects.
Find out more about what you'll study, entry requirements, fees and scholarships - and how to apply.
* Subject to international student visa conditions if applicable.
Diploma of Counselling
Part time only, minimum 2 years, maximum 5 years Hobart, Launceston, Cradle Coast, online
This course may not be available to international students. Please see our international page for courses that are offered to international students.
Learn from academics active in industry
Learn from academics that are solving real world problems.
Interactive and supportive learning environment
Applied learning activities and face to face classes give you practical, tested skills
Connect with your community
Study across a broad area of topics that are relevant to people in your community.
Understand mental health for yourself and others
The Diploma of Counselling is an introductory course that provides graduate with the skillset to understand human behaviour.
Students explore a range of topics including mental health, the impact of chronic health conditions on quality of life, foundational mental health intervention skills, and applied counselling skills. Studies will focus on adopting healthy thoughts and behaviours as part of a self-care approach, introducing you to a range of skills to manage stress and enhance well-being of yourself and others through lifestyle, mindfulness, and positive psychology.
Students undertake the Diploma of Counselling for a variety of reasons, as a complimentary skillset to support their existing career, people managers looking to support their staff, and to build understanding in mental health to support self and others.
If you are interested in further study, you can progress with credit into the Bachelor of Psychological Science to continue your journey in the study of psychology and counselling.
If you are interested in becoming a registered counsellor you will need to complete the Graduate Diploma of Counselling where you’ll be eligible to register with the Australian Counselling Association.
Find out more about what you'll study, entry requirements, fees and scholarships - and how to apply.
* Subject to international student visa conditions if applicable.
Career opportunities
There is great demand for psychologists in Australia, with the number of psychologists expected to grow by 31.4% by 2034.^ There are many career pathways available for students who complete a degree in psychology or counselling, including:
- Counselling and Mental Health Services
- 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
The healthcare industry overall is expected to grow by over 25.9 per cent to 2034. Psychology and counselling skills are in high demand. Here are some of the careers projected to grow into 2034.^
31.4%
Psychologists and Psychotherapists
Predicted job growth to 2034*
25.8%
Welfare Workers
Predicted job growth to 2034*
29.1%
Counsellors
Predicted job growth to 2034*
