Please note: To become eligible to apply for registration as a psychologist, students need to complete the Psychology bachelor degree along with Honours (one year) and the Master of Psychology (two years full-time or four years part-time).

What is psychology?

Psychology explores the science of the mind and human nature. Students examine mental states and processes and how they affect human behaviour.

Psychology at RMIT

RMIT Psychology graduates gain a strong theoretical base and practical skills that are highly valued by employers. This degree is the basis for further study for people who want to become a practicing psychologist or use their study in other careers. RMIT offers two programs, one with an applied science focus (one of just two in Victoria), the other with a social science focus. RMIT’s degree is based on human research, is clinical, applies to real situations and is aimed at resolving real human problems. Most other universities have an animal lab component.

Clubs or Mentoring Programs at RMIT

The Psychology Students Association plays an active role organising social functions and providing a mentoring role to students. The Student Association also runs workshops and functions for students at all academic levels.

Work Experience

The applied science program has a research project where students work one-on-one with staff on staff initiated research projects. The social science program has an industry/social welfare work experience (not a psychology placement).

Duration

Three years full-time. All classes are held during the day. An honours year is available.

Pathways

There is more than one pathway to becoming a Psychologist:

Current Year 12 and Non-Year 12: Successful completion of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) or the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (three years full-time each program), followed by the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) Honours or the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (one year full-time each program) at which point you can apply to become a Probationary Psychologist. Then to be able to apply to become a Psychologist requires the successful completion the Master of Psychology (two years full-time) or the Doctor of Psychology (three years full-time).
Degree graduate in another discipline: Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Behavioural Science (two or three years part-time), followed by the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) Honours or the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (one year full-time each program) at which point you can apply to become a Probationary Psychologist. Then to be able to apply to become a Psychologist requires the successful completion the Master of Psychology (two years full-time) or the Doctor of Psychology (three years full-time).
Degree graduate with APS accredited major: Successful completion of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) Honours or the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (one year full-time each program) at which point you can apply to become a Probationary Psychologist. Then to be able to apply to become a Psychologist requires the successful completion the Master of Psychology (two years full-time) or the Doctor of Psychology (three years full-time).

Gaining credit for previous study or experience
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfer are ways that RMIT recognises applicants’ skills and knowledge gained through formal and informal education and training, work experience, and/or life experience (including volunteer work; committee responsibilities; family duties, hobbies).

Further information about gaining credit for previous study or experience

Further information about pathways

Career Prospects

This degree is the basis for further study for people who want to become a practising psychologist or use their study in other careers. Graduates of the Psychology degree can work in areas such as organisational management, health, sport, cross-cultural studies, counselling, HR, working with people with disabilities, research, training, market research and, with further study, teaching. Upon completion students will meet the minimum academic requirement for registration as a probationary psychologist.

Psychology explores the science of the mind and human nature. Students examine mental states and processes and how they affect human behaviour. RMIT Psychology graduates gain a strong theoretical base and practical skills that are highly valued by employers.

Professional Recognition

The psychology major in the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) is a partial requirement for membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) (subject to continued accreditation).

It is also a partial requirement for registration as a psychologist with the Victorian Psychologist’s Registration Board (subject to continued accreditation), subject to further study or clinical practice.

Entrance Requirements

Current Year 12 prerequisite units 3 & 4—English (any), Mathematics (any) and one of Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Physics or Psychology.

Non-Year 12 applicants are encouraged to apply and may be required to have relevant employment or evidence of experience and/or ability to meet the demands of the program.

Equity admissions schemes
RMIT understands that people’s backgrounds and circumstances can affect their access to education and training. RMIT’s equity admissions schemes allow applicants to explain the circumstances that have adversely affected their education, and demonstrate their capacity for future academic success.

Further information is available at equity admissions schemes

Click here for further information .

Application Procedures

Semester one

Full-time applicants—VTAC application
Note: All applicants must comply with any extra requirements listed.

VTAC application
Applicants must apply through Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) and are advised to check detailed information on entrance requirements, application procedures and closing dates. Applicants must meet all extra requirements and selection procedures listed through VTAC.

Application closing date: Late September
Further information:
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
40 Park Street, South Melbourne
Tel. 1300 364 133
www.vtac.edu.au
Note: RMIT program codes listed on this page should not be used when applying through VTAC.

Semester two (midyear intake)

RMIT University has places available for the midyear intake in many TAFE and degree (bachelor and postgraduate) programs. From 1 May check to see if this program offers a midyear intake
Note: Applicants must confirm availability of program offered at midyear prior to applying. All applicants must comply with any extra requirements listed.

RMIT direct application
Applicants must apply directly to RMIT University using an RMIT direct application form.

Application closing date: 31 May
Further Information:
Info Corner (formerly Office for Prospective Students)
330 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel. 03 9925 2260
Email: study@rmit.edu.au
www.rmit.edu.au/programs/enquiries

Click here for further information .

Fees

Degree

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
A CSP is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government and the student. In 2009, the fees ranged between $4,162 and $8,677 per year for a standard full-time program. The exact cost varies according to each course.

Changes to fee paying undergraduate places in 2009
The Australian Government has announced that it will phase out fee paying domestic undergraduate places from 1 January 2009 in public universities. However, the Government has announced that it will replace fee paying places with up to 11,000 new Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) by 2011. Therefore, expectations are that there will be more HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) places on offer at RMIT University in 2009.

There will be no full-fee places at RMIT University offered through VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre) for new domestic students in undergraduate programs in 2009. There are some exceptions to the Government’s prohibition on new full-fee undergraduate places which will affect a very small number of students.

Further information is available at: www.rmit.edu.au/programs/fees/highered

Or you can go to the Federal Government’s Going To Uni web site www.goingtouni.gov.au or phone the hotline: 1800 020 108.

Scholarships

RMIT University has many scholarships and funding opportunities to offer students. Many scholarships are based on the student’s financial and living circumstances, rather than academic merit. Students from regional and farming communities are particularly encouraged to apply.

For information and application procedures please refer to:
Scholarships and Finance Office
Tel. 03 9925 2811
Email: scholarships@rmit.edu.au
www.rmit.edu.au/students/scholarships

Invergowrie Foundation Scholarships — Scholarship for Women
The Invergowrie Foundation is a public charitable trust whose primary focus is to promote and advance the education of girls and women in Victoria. RMIT University offers three scholarships sponsored by the Invergowrie Foundation for eligible Victorian female students commencing bachelor degrees offered by the University’s Science, Engineering and Technology Schools. The three scholarship categories are for women who:

are articulating from a TAFE program
are 21 years or older

gain access to RMIT through an RMIT Equity Access Scheme.

Further information: www.rmit.edu.au/set/ad/sled/scholarships/forwomen

Record spend on RMIT scholarships
RMIT University will spend more than $60 million on student scholarships over the next five years. RMIT has many scholarships and funding opportunities to offer students.

Further information is available at RMIT Scholarships

Click here for further information .

Program Structure

What will you study?

The psychology component of the program is 25% of first year, 62.5% of second year and 62.5% of third year. The remaining courses in the degree program are science-based courses and include occupational health and safety, nutrition and applied psychology, disability studies, statistics, computer science and geography. You are also required to complete student electives, a research project and a course on professional issues associated with psychology. The degree provides excellent opportunities for honours and postgraduate study and research, as well as employment in human resource management, counselling, health or sport areas or teaching.

The following program structure(s) are linked to this program.

Contact Details

Program Coordinator
School of Health Sciences
Building 201, Level 2, Room 6
Bundoora campus west
Tel. 03 9925 7395
Fax: 03 9925 6539

Download this information as a pdf brochure (Requires Acrobat Reader)

Owning School

Health Sciences

Disclaimer

Although RMIT endeavours to ensure the accuracy of this information, there is no guarantee it will remain accurate all year. Applicants are advised to confirm program details with the appropriate school before making an application.