Psychology

Overview

Psychology is a broad and intellectually fascinating scientific discipline with a focus on understanding behaviour and experience, particularly in humans. The science of psychology involves a wide range of perspectives and approaches, with psychological research findings having important applications in areas such as health, education, business and commerce, as well as informing us about how human behaviours and motivations relate to a wide range of societal issues.

A fourth year in Psychology accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) is a prerequisite for the further studies in Psychology that are necessary to register as a practicing psychologist. An APAC accredited fourth year in Psychology is also a recommended pathway for students wishing to undertake a higher research degree in Psychology to pursue a career in psychological research.

The Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences offers an innovative fourth year program that has been designed to build on the knowledge and skills attained in the APAC accredited undergraduate Psychology major. The course provides students with flexibility and choice in advanced coursework in the core discipline areas of Psychology, as well as an opportunity to undertake advanced training in the conduct of a significant research project, and to develop foundational knowledge of the ethical principles and assessment and interviewing skills that underpin further professional training as a psychologist.

Entry Requirements:

In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• an undergraduate degree that includes an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited major in Psychology with a weighted average of at least 70% (H2B) in second and third-year (Level 3) Psychology subjects is assigned twice the weight of the average of the second year (Level 2) Psychology subjects.

For applicants with results from the University of Melbourne for subjects undertaken in Semester 1, Winter Term and/or Semester 2, 2020, the following will apply:

• A Psychology Benchmark will be established based on all psychology subjects completed any time other than Semester 1, Winter Term and Semester 2, 2020.
• Subjects undertaken in Semester 1, Winter Term and/or Semester 2, 2020, for which results are lower than the Psychology Benchmark will be excluded from the entry score calculation.

The above changes do not apply to yearlong subjects undertaken in 2020; such results will be included in the entry score calculation.

In the case that applying this rule results in no eligible Level 2 and Level 3 marks for inclusion, then the Psychology Benchmark will be used as the entry score.

For the avoidance of doubt, the exclusion of results based on the Psychology Benchmark does not apply to any study periods other than those listed above.  

For external applicants, the benchmark will not apply and we will use numerical scores for all available level 2 and level 3 psychology subjects in the selection formula.

Pass/fail grades will be excluded from the selection formula.

In the case that excluding pass/fail subjects from the selection formula leaves either the Level 2 or Level 3 terms in the formula empty, the entry score will be the non-empty term (i.e., average of eligible Level 2 subjects if no Level 3 marks are eligible for inclusion; average of eligible Level 3 subjects if no Level 2 marks are eligible for inclusion).

Meeting this requirement does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Please Note: There is no mid-year entry into this course.

Last updated: 8 November 2024

Structure

100 credit points

Subject Options

Compulsory subjects:

Total of 75 points.

Elective subjects:

Students must choose 2 electives.

Links

http://psychologicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/

Last updated: 8 November 2024