Bachelor of Psychological Science

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Psychological Science at UNSW gives you a hands-on journey into how the brain works, how we think, feel, and behave, and how mental health shapes lives. Perfect for curious minds, this degree teaches you to apply psychological principles to real-world issues, from personal growth to social and global challenges.

Curriculum Structure:
Year 1: You’ll dive into the foundations of psychology, exploring how humans think, learn, and interact. Core units like Introduction to Psychology, Biological Psychology, and Research Methods in Psychology equip you with the essential knowledge and hands-on research skills to start thinking like a psychologist.

Year 2: This year deepens your understanding of behaviour, mental processes, and research techniques. You’ll engage with units such as Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Statistical Methods for Psychology, learning to analyse data, design studies, and apply theory to everyday life.

Year 3: You’ll focus on applied psychology, consolidating your skills and preparing for professional practice. Units like Abnormal Psychology, Health Psychology, and Capstone Research Project let you explore real-world issues, conduct independent research, and gain practical insights into careers in psychology.

Focus Areas: Brain function, behaviour, mental health, research methods, and applied psychology.

Learning Outcomes: Develop critical thinking, research expertise, and practical skills to understand and influence human behaviour.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): This accredited degree sets you up for further study or professional roles in psychology, ensuring your skills are recognised by leading industry bodies.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): UNSW is consistently ranked among the top universities for psychology globally, with QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 placing it #2 in Australia and =#32 worldwide, giving your degree real credibility.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you choose the Bachelor of Psychological Science at UNSW, you’re signing up for more than memorising theories — it’s a degree built around learning psychology in action. From early on you’ll be encouraged to apply psychological principles to real personal, social and global issues so that what you learn in lectures comes alive in real contexts. The program also gives you flexibility to tailor your degree with a complementary major, helping you build practical skills that matter to employers and communities alike. Along the way you’ll be part of a supportive student culture where peer mentoring helps you transition into university life with confidence while you grow your understanding of how behaviour works in the real world.

Here are the key experiential learning opportunities you’ll engage with in this program:

Hands‑on application of psychological concepts to real‑world personal, social and global challenges so you learn how theory works in practice.
Flexibility to combine your psychological science study with a complementary major (e.g., marketing, criminology, neuroscience) to gain broader applied perspectives and skills.
Participation in the Psychology Peer Mentoring Program, where third‑year students help you navigate academic life, exam preparation, and career thinking — learning from people who’ve been in your shoes.
Opportunities to engage with career‑readiness experiences through UNSW’s broader science and careers support services, helping you connect what you study with future work contexts.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from UNSW’s Bachelor of Psychological Science leave with a strong foundation in understanding human behaviour, mental health, and social dynamics. Many step directly into roles such as clinical research assistant, behavioural science officer, community support worker, or human resources analyst.

Here’s what this means for you:

UNSW Careers & Employment support helps you refine your resume, practice interviews, and connect with internships tailored to psychology students.
Accredited degree ensures your qualification is recognised nationally, opening doors to professional pathways in psychology.
Industry connections give you opportunities to work alongside research institutes, healthcare providers, and community organisations during your studies.
Graduate outcomes: Students gain hands-on practical experience through labs and projects, preparing you for both workforce entry and further study.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you could continue with postgraduate psychology pathways at UNSW, including honours programs, or specialised Master’s programs in clinical, organisational, or health psychology. This degree is designed to give you the credits, skills, and accreditation needed to pursue these advanced studies, keeping your options flexible and aligned with your career goals.