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‘The benefit of studying online with Swinburne Online has allowed me to schedule my time efficiently and effectively around [my life]. I have been provided with a world-class education led by industry leaders and professionals.’
Kate, Swinburne Online graduate
15.2% ▴
As a Mental Health Support Worker, you’ll have a strong future ahead of you, with a 15.2% increase expected in the next five years.
We’re ranked 24th for the Young University Rankings 2024 – a list the world’s best universities that are 50 years old or younger.
We’re ranked 24th for the Young University Rankings 2024 – a list the world’s best universities that are 50 years old or younger.
Swinburne’s Bachelor of Psychological Sciences is a first step to becoming a qualified psychologist. Psychology examines what makes us do the things that we do by seeking to understand personality, psychological disorders and the effects of social situations on our behaviour.
You will learn about cognitive processes including memory, perception and attention, and how we change as we age. 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).
Graduates who wish to practice as a psychologist will need to undertake further study in psychology, as required by the Psychology Board of Australia. If you are interested in a career that uses the theories and applications of psychology, where you can still pursue a career in the allied health space, consider our Bachelor of Social Science with a Major in Behavioural Studies.
What will you learn?
- Mental Health Diversity: Develop an understanding of mental health disorders, and the major psychological treatments used to address them.
- Social Psychology: Explain how individuals interact with society through group dynamics, cultural influences, and applied issues.
- Development: Understand the processes involved in psychological growth and how people change with age.
- Cognition: Examine cognitive processes, including perception, attention, memory and learning.
- Personality: Learn about the major approaches psychologists use to understand personality and how these differences drive behaviour.
Learn more about our professional accreditations. Download a Course Guide.
Flexible study
Flexible study
What does flexible study mean for me?
Studying at Swinburne Online gives you the freedom to study how it suits you. Decide when and where it fits in with your life and tailor your study journey to your own needs. Get a world-class degree without giving up what’s important.
Flexible study at Swinburne Online
Personalised study journey
Set a study pace that work with what’s going on in your life. If you’re unsure about how much you can commit to, we can offer part-time options and the option of increasing your unit load as your progress. Interested in fast-tracking your studies? You also have the opportunity to complete up to 12 units per year.
Fit study around your life
You don’t have to put your life on hold to study. Prioritise what matters to you and fit study around family, work and personal commitments through a course that is flexibly designed for online learners.
Multiple intakes
Start when it suits. Swinburne Online offers multiple intake dates and flexible unit availability, so you can choose when you begin your studies or if you need to take a break.
7-day support
Flexible study requires flexible support. As a Swinburne Online student, you’ll have support for extended hours, seven days a week. Student Advisors available to help with anything from tech support to research advice. You will also have dedicated online tutors in each of your units.
Structure
Structure
Your course structure
The Bachelor of Psychological Sciences consists of 24 units, including five core units, eight major units and 11 elective units.
Your course will encourage you to put theory into practice with the PSY30003 Psychology Project unit. This unit gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and practical skills through designing, administering and interpreting psychological measures within the framework of a project.
Why study a degree in psychological sciences with Swinburne Online? Our courses are at the forefront of industry and provide you with the practical skills to success come graduation. View all units in this bachelor’s degree.
View All UnitsHow you'll learn
How you'll learn
Learning designed for online
Your study journey with Swinburne Online is tailored to the digital space. You’ll study in a dynamic virtual classroom environment and interact with your peers in the custom-built social platform. You will also receive support at the times you need it from advisors who understand studying online.
Online classroom
You’ll complete each of your units in Canvas, your online classroom, and be guided through coursework by an online tutor with real-world experience in your field of study. Canvas is where you’ll access classes, assignments and discussion boards with your peers.
Online campus
The Student Hub is your online campus, where you’ll access the support and resources to assist you throughout your study journey. From managing your course to technical support and library resources, you’ll find it all in one easy location.
Tailored support
Swinburne Online will be there for you each step of the way. From enrolment through to graduation, we offer extended, flexible support in each of your units and advisors to assist with any queries.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Discover the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences.
Non-Year 12 entry
Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply.
Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units.
Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience and appropriate English language skills, or a suitable Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) result, will be considered. All students need to demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.
Read our Applying and Enrolling FAQs.
The University may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.
Year 12 entry
Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification. Minimum ATAR requirements may apply.
VCE pre-requisites
Applicants must meet the associated minimum ATAR score
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL
The full Course Information Set and Whole of Institution Set are available for reference.
Fees
Fees
The estimated annual fee for this course is $9,314*.
*Unit fees are subject to change annually.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)
Swinburne Online offers Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) for this course to eligible domestic students. A CSP is a subsidy supplied by the Australian government, meaning you do not need to pay a significant portion of your course fees.
Speak to one of our Course Consultants for help and to discuss your eligibility for a CSP in 2023.
With a CSP, the estimated annual fee for this course is $9,314*. This is based on completing eight 12.5 credit point units in one calendar year.
Commonwealth provided loans are available to assist eligible students to pay their course fees and there are a range of university, government and privately funded scholarships and prizes.
Discover more information about HELP loans.
Course fees will be affected by a student’s unit selection and any credit awarded in recognition of previous academic experience.
This course is offered to domestic and offshore international students. Depending on your citizenship, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place.
Domestic students also contribute to student services and amenities via an annual fee.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. You may be eligible for Swinburne Scholarships.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
Don’t just learn what it takes, do what it takes with Swinburne Online
Our psychological sciences graduates work in a range of rewarding roles and industries. The Bachelor of Psychological Sciences equips you with the experience and knowledge necessary to tackle an evolving digital future so that you can graduate with your foot already in the door. You will:
- Undertake a project-based unit to master your theoretical and practical skills
- Learn the online communication skills essential for a digital future
- Learn from industry professionals.
Pathway to becoming a psychologist
The Bachelor of Psychological Sciences may also provide you a pathway to becoming a psychologist with further studies.
Psychiatric Technician
Help mentally or emotionally impaired patients cope with the challenges of everyday life.
Mental Health Support Worker
Become an essential part of the mental health support network and specialise in assisting people with a variety of complex needs.
Youth and Welfare Services Worker
Provide crucial support to young people who face challenges and may require counselling or help accessing shelter, food or clothing.
Juvenile Justice and Corrections Officer
Care for young offenders in both prison and court contexts and in the community.
Community Services and Development Officer
Provide support for adults in settings such as employment service, disability, and housing.
Behaviour Therapist
Provide treatment and support to people with mental health disorders. Focusing on identifying and changing learned behaviours and conditions such as depression, anxiety, phobias, panic disorders and addictions.
Behaviour Support Practitioner
Observe, develop and evaluate treatment strategies for patients with special behavioural or emotional needs. Provide assistance and coaching throughout the treatment process to improve patients’ well-being in mental health, occupational therapy and social development.
Caseworker or Case Manager
Specialise in assisting people with the care and resources they need to deal with their mental health issues. Creating plans and setting up appointments to ensure clients attend.
Mental Health Advisor
Provide individualised support and advice to people who may be experiencing emotional or psychological distress due to a mental health condition.
Psychology Administrator
Plan, coordinate and supervise programs and staff within the Psychology Team, and provide support to Psychology Lead within the department.
Counsellor
Provide support to people who are struggling with emotional difficulties, and help them to identify and work through their issues. This will be a short-term focus to identify a specific problem and next steps to take.
Testimonial
‘I enjoy the flexibility and the quality of course content and support.’
Ceara
Swinburne Online graduate
More Courses
Other courses you may be interested in
Bachelor of Social Science - Behavioural Studies
Bachelor of Social Science - Criminology
Bachelor of Social Science - Security and Counter Terrorism
FAQs
What are other students asking?
Q.
Do I have to purchase learning materials?
A.
For students undertaking a degree, most of your learning materials are included with a free license provided to you by Swinburne Online. However, in some cases, you will be notified via your student email that you will need to buy specific software or eTexts. For TAFE Business students, all of your learning materials will be available online and are covered by your course fees. You won’t need to purchase any further materials.
Q.
Which units should I start with?
A.
When you enrol to study a degree with us, you will nominate how many units you would like to select per teaching period, based on a recommendation from one of our Course Consultants. From here, our enrolments team will allocate you automatically to the units they feel will be best suited to your needs, so you don’t need to worry about choosing units. If you want to choose something different than what you are allocated to, that is no problem, just get in touch with our Student Advisors and they will take care of it for you.
Q.
Do I need to be logged on to study at specific times?
A.
You won’t normally have to be online at a specific time. Your course material is available for you from the beginning of each teaching period and you can work through it in the hours that suit you.
There are some live webinar sessions that run approximately once a month. These are a special opportunity for students to sign in at the same time as their tutors, normally before an assessment deadline. It gives you the chance to ask any questions relating to the assignment in real time and hear other student’s questions and thoughts. We understand that students won’t always be able to make these sessions, so they can be replayed the next day.