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Course Information

Bachelor of Psychological Science

Effective from 01-JAN-2027 : Code C98

This 4-year international dual degree provides students with an opportunity to learn about the important field of psychology while gaining a valuable international experience. In their first and second and fourth year of study, students will learn about psychology, counselling, criminology, addiction studies and social science at ECU. In their third year students will travel to the University of Portsmouth (UK) where they will deepen their study with units in diverse areas of psychology.

Graduates of this course will receive both a Bachelor of Psychological Science from ECU, and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Psychological Sciences from the University of Portsmouth (UK). This course is accredited with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, so graduates will have a pathway to further psychological studies (i.e. APAC Level 2), which may lead to registration as a psychologist in Australia. Students who graduate with an equivalent classification of 2:2 or higher (in the British system) will be eligible to apply for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS).

Additionally, the course prepares students for a variety of professional roles in the private, corporate and government sectors where high levels of competence are required in psychology-related areas, including in mental health, human resources, child and family services, alcohol and drug counselling, rehabilitation and disability, migrant support or research and policy development.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply multidisciplinary, including a broad and coherent body of psychology knowledge and theory, to respond with a scientific approach to a range of real-world psychological phenomena and challenges.
  2. Investigate and analyse psychological questions independently and collaboratively to critically understand challenges and solutions relevant to psychology.
  3. Apply and appraise ethical and innovative solutions, independently and collaboratively, to address a range of complex psychological challenges.
  4. Use established and emerging digital technologies ethically, fluently and productively to investigate and respond to psychological objectives.
  5. Communicate clearly and respectfully, demonstrating academic integrity and awareness of audience and context.
  6. Demonstrate respectful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ knowledge systems and perspectives, and applying cultural humility and ethical awareness in diverse psychological and intercultural contexts.
  7. Demonstrate integrity, autonomy, initiative, feedback literacy and responsibility in professional or academic contexts.

Professional Recognition

Course

This course has been Accredited by: Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 3)

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • AQF Cert IV;
  • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
  • Undergraduate Certificate;
  • Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;
  • University Preparation Course;
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course; or
  • Experience Based Entry Scheme.

English Language requirement (Band 3)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

  • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
  • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
  • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
  • University Preparation Course;
  • Indigenous University Orientation Course;
  • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
  • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
  • Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.

Course Duration

  • Full Time: 4 Years
  • Part Time: 8 Years

Course Delivery

  • Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time

Secondary Location

The first two years of the course and final year (fourth year) are delivered at ECU's Joondalup campus. The third year (full-time) is delivered at the University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Students will need to relocate to Portsmouth for this portion of the course.

Course Coordinator

Dr Ross HOLLETT

Course Structure

This is a Programmatic Learning course. This Course uses a mix of Learning Units and Assessment Units which all connect together.

  • Learning Units are where students develop their knowledge, skills, and capabilities through regular activities and feedback.
  • Assessment Units are where students integrate, apply and demonstrate that learning.

Students will collect evidence of learning in a digital portfolio that charts their course journey, and can be used as a showcase to employers.

Students are required to complete:

- Learning Units: 360 credit points of core units

- Assessment Units: 6x0-credit point core units

- University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom: 120 credit points of core units

Year 1
Level 1 Introduced
Stage A
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
PSY1801Introduction to Psychology15
PSY1815Psychology of Motivation and Emotion15
CRI1807The Pursuit of Justice15
CRI1803Criminology15
PSI1850 *C98 Assessment 1A

Students studying parttime should enrol in PSY1801 and CRI1807 first, then PSY1815 and CRI1803 and PSI1850.

Stage B
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
PSY1804Social Determinants of Behaviour15
PSY1810Biopsychology, Sensation and Perception15
COU1821Therapeutic Practice with Families and Couples15
COU1801Dynamic Models of Counselling15
PSI1860 *C98 Assessment 1B

Students studying parttime should enrol in PSY1804 and COU1801 first, then PSY1810 and COU1821 and PSI1860.

Year 2
Level 2 Consolidated
Stage A
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
PSY2802Fundamentals of Psychological Inquiry15
PSY2805Psychology of Personality and Individual Differences15
SAH2805Decolonising Perspectives: Understanding Self and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People15
CHS2808Culture, Equity and Diversity15
PSI2850 *C98 Assessment 2A

Students studying parttime should enrol in PSY2805 and SAH2805 first, then PSY2802 and CHS2808 and PSI2850.

Stage B
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
PSY2831Developmental Psychology15
PSY2804Learning, Memory and Cognition15
CRI2801Case Management and Professional Skills15
CRI2852Investigating Miscarriages of Justice15
PSI2860 *C98 Assessment 2B

Students studying parttime should enrol in PSY2831 and CRI2801 first, then PSY2804 and CRI2852 and PSI2860.

Year 3

ECU Students (Outbound) Year 3 of this course is studied at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. Students will complete 120 credit points (8 units x 15cp each).

Stage A

Complete 4 units from a choice of 5 electives:

Stage A

M40490 Neuroscience

Stage A

M40494 Perspectives on Legal Psychology and Forensic Psychology

Stage A

M40473 Cultural Psychology

Stage A

M40488 Language and Communication

Stage A

M40482 Exploring Data

Stage A
Stage B

Complete 4 units from a choice of 5 electives:

Stage A
Stage B

M40487 Issues in Clinical and Health Psychology

Stage A
Stage B

M40477 Educational Psychology

Stage A
Stage B

M40465 Animal Minds and Human Origins

Stage A
Stage B

M40491 Occupational and Organisational Psychology

Stage A
Stage B

M40510 Social Construction of Disability

Stage A
Stage B

University of Portsmouth Students (Inbound) Students from the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom will complete their Year 3 units as detailed below. For details of the units, please consult the ECU handbook which can be found online at https://www.ecu.edu.au/handbook.

Stage A
Stage B
Stage A

CRI2151 Policing and Social Justice

Stage A
Stage B
Stage A

CRI2103 Corrections & Alternatives to Punishment

Stage A
Stage B
Stage A

PSY3105 Advanced Methods of Psychological Inquiry

Stage A
Stage B
Stage A

PSY3456 Mental Health and Psychological Interventions

Stage A
Stage B
Stage A
Stage A

COU1201 Therapeutic Practice with Families and Couples

Stage A
Stage B
Stage A
Stage A

COU1101 Dynamic Models of Counselling

Stage A
Stage B
Stage A
Stage A

PSY3217 Cultural Issues in Psychology

Stage A
Stage B
Stage A
Stage A

PSY3225 Applications of Psychological Literacy

Year 4
Stage A
Stage B
Stage A
Stage A
Level 3 Demonstrated
Stage A
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
PSY3805Advanced Methods of Psychological Inquiry15
PSY3856Mental Health and Psychological Interventions15
CRI3830Young People and Crime15
CRI3840Global Criminology15
PSI3850 *C98 Assessment 3A

Students studying parttime should enrol in PSY3805 and CRI3830 first, then PSY3856 and CRI3840 and PSI3850.

Stage B
Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
PSY3817Cultural Issues in Psychology15
PSY3825Applications of Psychological Literacy15
COU3805Psychodynamic Concepts into Practice15
COU3802Sexuality and Therapeutic Practice15
PSI3860 *C98 Assessment 3B

Students studying parttime should enrol in PSY3817 and COU3805 first, then PSY3825 and COU3802 and PSI3860.

* Assessment Unit

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

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