Bachelor of Psychological Science

2 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New England Armidale

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of New England is all about understanding people — how we think, feel, connect, and respond to the world around us. It’s a degree designed for curious minds who want to explore behaviour from both a scientific and human perspective, whether that leads to helping roles in health and community settings, further study in psychology, or careers that value strong analytical and communication skills. With its flexible structure and supportive learning environment, this program helps you build confidence as you grow your knowledge of psychology and discover where your interests truly lie.

Curriculum Structure

First Year
Your first year gently introduces you to the fascinating world of psychology, helping you make sense of everyday thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Through Introductory Psychology I and II, you’ll explore topics like cognition, motivation, and social interaction, while Research Methods and Statistics shows you how psychologists investigate questions about human behaviour. This year is about finding your footing — learning the language of psychology and feeling comfortable thinking like a scientist who studies people.

Second Year
In your second year, the focus shifts toward understanding real-world human experiences in more depth. You’ll look at how people influence one another in Social Psychology, how we think and process information in Cognitive Psychology, and how behaviour changes across different life stages in Lifespan Developmental Psychology. Biopsychology adds another layer, helping you see how biology and the brain shape behaviour. Together, these units start to paint a fuller, more connected picture of what it means to be human.

Third Year
By your final year, you’ll be ready to tackle more complex and thought-provoking areas of psychology. Units such as Psychopathology and Individual Differences and Assessment help you understand variations in personality, behaviour, and mental health. Advanced Research Methods and Statistics strengthens your ability to analyse data, think critically, and communicate findings clearly. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose electives that reflect your personal interests and future goals, making the degree feel truly your own.

Focus Areas

Throughout the program, you’ll develop skills in applied research methods, explore human behaviour across the lifespan, examine social and cognitive processes, and gain insight into psychological assessment and individual differences.

What You’ll Graduate With

By the time you finish, you’ll be able to evaluate psychological research with confidence, use research tools responsibly, communicate ideas clearly and ethically, and understand behaviour at both individual and group levels — skills that are valued across many industries.

Professional Pathways and Accreditation

This degree includes an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)-accredited undergraduate psychology sequence. That means you’ll complete the essential foundational training needed to progress to honours and further postgraduate study, which are required steps if you’re aiming to become a registered psychologist.

Reputation and Career Confidence

Studying at UNE means joining a university recognised for outstanding student experience, teaching quality, and graduate employment outcomes, with consistent five-star ratings in the Good Universities Guide. Employers appreciate the critical thinking, research, and interpersonal skills psychology graduates bring — and UNE’s flexible study options make it easier to balance learning with work and life as you plan your future.

Please note: elective options and exact course structure may vary depending on your entry pathway and unit choices.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of New England is built to help you do psychology, not just read about it. Alongside learning core psychological theory, you’ll start developing practical skills early on — from research design and data analysis to professional-style writing and communication that reflect how psychology is actually used in the real world. If you choose the Community Services or Counselling pathways, your learning won’t stay confined to lectures or screens. You’ll move into applied settings, gaining experience that connects psychological knowledge with real people, real communities, and real workplace environments. With the flexibility to study online or on campus, this degree supports a wide range of students while still preparing you for honours, postgraduate study, or psychology-related careers.

What hands-on learning looks like in this degree

Applied counselling skills development
If you follow the Counselling major, you’ll learn through practice-based assessment and blended delivery. This means actively developing core counselling skills such as listening, understanding client situations, and responding in supportive, professional ways — giving you a feel for what applied psychology work involves.

Real-world placements in community settings
The Community Services major includes two structured work placements, giving you direct experience in human services environments. These placements let you apply psychology-informed skills in real community contexts and see how theory translates into everyday professional practice.

Research experience built into core psychology subjects
Throughout the degree, you’ll gain hands-on experience with psychological research. You’ll learn how to design studies, analyse data, and report findings, helping you build the research competence expected in both honours-level study and evidence-based work.

Interactive intensive schools
Some units in the Counselling and Community Services majors include on-campus intensive schools. These interactive sessions focus on skill-building and collaboration, giving you the chance to learn directly with peers and educators in a practical, immersive environment.

Flexible learning with room to explore applied interests
The degree’s elective and minor options allow you to broaden your skill set alongside core psychology study. You can choose units that complement your interests and help you develop practical, transferable skills that support your future goals.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Here’s the short version first: a Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of New England gives you practical, people-focused skills that employers genuinely value — not just theory on a page.

By the time you graduate, you’re not only better at understanding how people think and behave, but you also know how to analyse data, communicate clearly, and approach real-world problems thoughtfully. That’s why UNE psychology graduates often move into roles where they’re working closely with people and making a tangible difference. Graduates commonly find work as learning support workers, market researchers, HR assistants, family and community support workers, and in other roles where insight into human behaviour really matters.

What this actually means for you

Career support that feels personal, not generic
UNE puts a strong focus on helping students turn their degree into a job. You’ll have access to career development services that guide you through resumes, interviews, career planning and work readiness — all tailored to where you want to go. Combined with UNE’s reputation for strong student support, this can make the move from study into the workforce feel far less overwhelming.

A qualification employers recognise and respect
This degree includes an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)-accredited three-year psychology sequence. In simple terms, that means your training meets national professional standards. Employers recognise the quality of your education, and if you decide to continue studying psychology, you’re already on the right track.

Flexibility that fits real life
Whether you choose to study online or on campus in Armidale, UNE gives you the flexibility to balance your degree with work, family or other commitments. Many students use this flexibility to gain relevant work experience while they study — which can be a big advantage when it’s time to graduate.

Strong employment outcomes you can build on
UNE psychology graduates consistently perform well in employment outcomes. There’s steady demand across Australia for graduates who understand human behaviour and can apply that knowledge in health, community services, education and organisational settings.

Learning that connects to real workplaces
Your studies aren’t just theoretical. Through your core units and options like the Counselling major or electives such as criminology, you develop skills that translate directly into public, private and community sector roles — places where understanding people is essential.

Keeping the door open for psychology registration
If your long-term goal is to become a registered psychologist, this degree is a strong first step. It provides the accredited three-year sequence required to apply for a fourth-year Honours program, either at UNE or elsewhere. From there, you can progress to postgraduate training such as a Master of Psychology (Clinical), Master of Professional Psychology, or even research pathways like a Master of Philosophy or PhD. UNE offers these options too, making it easy to continue within the same supportive university environment if you choose.