Campuses and locations
The University of Newcastle is a multi-campus institution offering programs in a number of locations.
This degree is part of the Year 12 Subject Spotlight Early Offer Program
Admission to our undergraduate degree programs usually requires successful completion of a senior secondary school qualification similar to the Higher School Certificate (HSC), the highest educational award in New South Wales schools.
Face to Face
3 years full-time or part-time equivalent up to 8 years maximum.
AUD40,630 (indicative annual fee, 2021)
Indicative annual fees are based on a full year full time load (80 units) Find out more about fees
3 years full-time.
Face to Face
The University of Newcastle's Bachelor of Psychological Science (Advanced) is for those who are interested in using science to understand how people think, feel and behave. This degree is for those that are inspired to build new knowledge and discover new things using a variety of scientific methods.
This degree will not only help you deepen your understanding of theoretical methodologies – but with opportunities to participate in work integrated and project based learning, you’ll develop valuable connections with industry and other professionals to improve employment outcomes when you graduate. This fascinating and evolving field will prepare you to work in a broad range of industries where you can positively impact the lives of others.
The Bachelor of Psychological Science covers a wide range of subject areas. In your first year you will examine the influences on behaviour and personality plus the mechanisms of behaviour such as emotions, perception, learning and memory. Second year expands on these topics to include areas of the biological basis of behaviour, while in third year you will study core topics in more depth.
Throughout the degree you will learn about:
High achieving students who receive the required marks degree throughout their degree will have the option to study Honours. Honours gives you a good research base to progress on to postgraduate study and can also boost your employment prospects. We are one of only a handful of universities to offer a Psychological Science (Honours) degree and this gives you a better chance to pursue higher positions and salaries after you graduate.
Download a program plan for further details on your degree's structure and what courses you will study.
These program plans are applicable to new students. Current students should refer to the program handbook to access the plan relevant to the year they commenced.
Professionals in the field of psychology work in a large range of areas.
Some typical roles include:
After successful completion of this degree, graduates can:
If you want to practise as a Clinical Psychologist, you will need to complete the Honours year followed by additional postgraduate study after your Bachelor of Psychological Science (Advanced) degree - the Master of Clinical Psychology.
The Bachelor of Psychological Science (Advanced) is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
Accreditation ensures graduates receive a high quality education that will allow them to employ their psychological knowledge and skills in the community.
Our Newcastle (Callaghan) and Central Coast (Ourimbah) campuses offer psychology labs that are stocked with equipment to enhance your practical skills and theoretical studies.
The degree includes a pre-professional strand of courses each year, which will help you prepare for professional practice. These courses involve guest lectures from practicing psychologists, problem-based workshops and video material to provide an accurate picture of the range of areas within psychology.
If you choose to do a fourth year of Honours you will conduct a major research project on a specific area of psychology. This gives you practical, hands-on research experience - an essential part of the psychology discipline.
Additional work integrated learning and research integrated learning opportunities may include cross-institutional collaboration, Psychology Biomedical Science and HMRI Research labs, the University of Newcastle Psychology Community Clinic and external professional agencies.