Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) (Honours)

This is a one-year honours degree for students who have already completed a three-year psychology sequence and want to add a research qualification on top. It sits at AQF level 8, above the bachelor degree but below a master's, and it is the traditional route into postgraduate psychology training in Australia. At USC you join a small cohort, take advanced coursework in research methods and statistics, and spend most of the year on your own research project under a supervisor.

How the year is structured

Honours runs across the academic year, usually starting in Semester 1, with some institutions offering a mid-year entry. You complete a set number of units of study, typically a mix of coursework units and a thesis or research project that carries a large share of the credit points. The thesis is the centrepiece: you design a study, apply for ethics approval, collect and analyse data, and write it up as a substantial piece of work. Some students present their findings at a school seminar or a conference. Assessment is mostly assignments, lab reports and the final thesis rather than exams.

What you actually learn

You finish with the skills a research psychologist uses daily: framing a research question, choosing an appropriate design, running statistical analyses in software such as SPSS or R, interpreting results honestly, and writing to a publishable standard. You also learn how to read a journal article critically, manage a project over months, and defend your work in a review. Those are the skills that make honours graduates employable in research teams and competitive for further study.

Who it suits

This degree suits someone who has finished an accredited three-year psychology degree, met the entry standard (usually a credit average or higher in relevant units), and wants either a research career or a pathway to registration as a psychologist. Honours is generally the prerequisite for master's programs in clinical, counselling, organisational or educational psychology, and for a PhD. It also works for people heading into policy, human resources, market research or data roles where evidence and analysis matter. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available after you finish, depending on your circumstances. Check the CRICOS register and the USC course page for entry requirements, English proficiency, fees and intake dates before you apply.

• Research assistant or research officer in university psychology labs, medical research institutes and health services
• Assistant psychologist or behaviour support practitioner in disability, mental health and community organisations
• Human resources, recruitment and organisational development roles
• Policy and program officer in state and federal government departments
• Market and social research analyst in consulting firms and not-for-profits
• Data and evaluation roles in education, health and community services
• Pathway to master's programs in clinical, counselling, organisational or educational psychology, and to PhD study