Bachelor of Psychological Science

The Bachelor of Psychological Science at ACAP University College is a three-year undergraduate degree that introduces you to the scientific study of behaviour, emotion and mental processes. You will take units across the core areas of psychology, developmental, social, cognitive, biological and abnormal psychology, along with research methods and statistics. The degree is structured around the scientist-practitioner model, so you learn to evaluate evidence, design studies and interpret data, not just memorise theories. You will also study units in counselling and interpersonal skills, which reflect ACAP's background in applied psychology and its focus on preparing graduates for people-facing work.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees are made up of units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. A standard full-time load is four units per semester, and most universities run two semesters a year, with some offering a third trimester or summer session. Over three years you accumulate 24 units (or the equivalent credit points) to complete the degree. ACAP delivers this course with a mix of face-to-face and online learning, and the later years include a capstone or research project where you design and carry out your own study under supervision. That project is often the piece graduates talk about most in interviews because it shows they can manage a research question from start to finish.

Skills you build

You will learn to write in APA style, run statistical analyses using software such as SPSS, conduct literature reviews, and present psychological concepts clearly to different audiences. The interpersonal units add practical skills in active listening, interviewing and ethical practice. By the end, you should be able to read a research paper critically, explain psychological concepts to a non-specialist, and understand the ethical and cultural considerations that apply when working with people. These are the skills employers in community services, human resources and education look for, even when the role is not titled 'psychologist'.

Who it suits

This degree suits school leavers and mature-age students who want a psychology qualification that leads either to further study or directly into the workforce. If you plan to become a registered psychologist, you will need to continue into an honours year (or equivalent fourth year) and then a master's or doctorate, because registration with the Psychology Board of Australia requires an approved sequence of study beyond the bachelor degree. The Bachelor of Psychological Science gives you the first three years of that sequence. If you are not aiming for registration, the degree still opens doors in areas where understanding behaviour and data matters. International students should note that the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available after graduation, and student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register under course code 071878B. Check the official ACAP and CRICOS pages for the current unit list, English requirements and intake dates.

• Community services and mental health support worker, roles in non-government organisations, crisis support lines and community health centres.
• Human resources and recruitment officer, using psychological principles in hiring, onboarding and workplace culture.
• Research assistant, supporting academic or market research projects, often in universities or consulting firms.
• Education support and youth work, schools, TAFEs and youth services that need staff who understand adolescent development.
• Disability support coordinator, working with participants and providers under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
• Pathway to registered psychologist, after completing an accredited fourth year (honours or equivalent) and further postgraduate study approved by the Psychology Board of Australia.

Graduates work across health, education, government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors. The degree also provides a base for further study in psychology, counselling, social work or organisational psychology.