Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)

Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)

UNDERGRADUATE

Explore human experience and behaviour with this people-focussed, hands-on degree that allows you pursue a career that makes a difference.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

ATAR 61.05*

Duration:
Full-time 3 years
Part-time 6 years
Fees:

Commonwealth Supported Places

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 3 years
Fees:

AU$38,400 (2026 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

Psychology is a science that provides powerful tools and methods for exploring human experience and behaviour. The combination of a social science degree with a psychology specialisation is ideal for those interested in the interaction between individuals and the world around them.

Through your studies in this degree, you'll develop enhanced communication and research skills, better understand the people around you, and build abilities in decision making, problem solving, and critical thinking. You'll have the opportunity to put your skills to practice, and meet potential future employers, on a professional work-placement.

The Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) is the first 3 years of a 6-year pathway towards becoming a registered psychologist. Psychology studies can also lead to careers in human services organisations, community based agencies, human resource management, multicultural agencies and education settings.

Why study social science (psychology) at RMIT?

Field education

Meet potential employers, develop networks and find career opportunities.

Pathway to registration

This course functions as a first step to national and international registration as a psychologist.

Fully accredited

This course is is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

A seated patient wearing a skull-cap with protruding wires, looking at a computer screen, while a person is holding their hand out, partially obscuring the image on the screen

Explore the complexities of mind and behaviour through psychology

Meet psychology student, Hitaishi, and criminology student, Natasha, and discover how RMIT prepares the next generation of psychology professionals to help people with their mental health and well-being.

I found that the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) course at RMIT offered a great educational balance between psychological understandings of human behaviour and the communal, cultural and social systems which inform it.
Headshot of Jessica Costa, she wears glasses, a black lace shirt, and has shoulder-length dark brown hair with blonde highlights. Jessica Costa, Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) 2024

Details

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This degree is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), which provides access to further APAC-accredited study in Australia and overseas and can lead to national and international registration as a psychologist.

Learning and teaching

You will explore psychology, with breadth studies in sociology, communication, research, and understanding policy. You'll have the opportunity to undertake a minor specialisation in Indigenous studies or choose to study a language. Alternatively, you can follow a minor interest area in sustainability or cultural studies.

Learning is student-centred with academic staff drawing on modern world examples of pop culture, activism, the internet, or analysis of modern social phenomenon to illustrate sociological theories in lectures and readings.

You'll take part in interactive coursework through psychology laboratories, excursions, online workshops and/or learning modules, and activity-based workshops. Through individual and group presentations, you develop skills in presenting ideas to large groups, facilitating discussion, engaging in debate and visually organising information through mind-mapping.

You'll examine case studies, including field notes, auto-ethnographies (a form of research written in the first person where the researcher reflects on what is going on around them), documentaries and analyses, journal articles, academic texts, and more; exploring the work of experts in your field. You'll learn academic writing skills, including how to create structured essays, write lab reports, and complete reflective journaling.

All degrees are delivered in English.

Assessment methods


Assessments range from the traditional to the innovative, and may include formal essays, online quizzes, oral presentations, posters, graded group discussions, exams, artefact analysis, interviews and class facilitation mini-conference-style presentations. 

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT Capabilities

The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.

As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:

  • Ethical Global Citizens
  • Connected
  • Adaptive
  • Digitally Adept
  • Expert
  • Critically Engaged.

RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.

The field education component in this degree means you will have the opportunity to apply what you have learned to a workplace.

You'll work under the guidance of an experienced practitioner, such as a qualified psychologist.

Field education is a great way to meet potential employers, develop networks and career opportunities. Some students have received ongoing employment after a placement.

Examples of past students placements include:

  • Shadowing a psychologist at private clinic.
  • Working with an advertising agency to understand consumer behaviour.
  • Working with an NGO in Indonesia to conduct aid research and establish a public health awareness campaign.
  • Acting as spotter on the political campaign trail for a major political party.
  • Working at a gallery in Indonesia curating cultural artefacts.
  • Volunteering with Camp America in the USA and developing a deeper understanding of developmental psychology.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

RMIT University has exchange partners all over the world including Mexico, China, Chile and more and students are encouraged to take one semester of this degree at a partner university.

By combining international exchange, professional internship and international research projects, you may be away for an entire year. Financial support is available through UMAP scholarships, RMIT travel grants and government loans.

Overseas work, exchange and study experiences

RMIT offers a range of opportunities for our students to study abroad through overseas work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.

Explore overseas study and work

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology), you will have the skills necessary to apply your professional, theoretical and practical knowledge of this field to respond effectively to changing social, cultural and political issues. You will be able to analyse and demonstrate your professional insights, reflecting on the challenges facing psychology and social science professional practice in a rapidly changing world, applying logical, critical, and creative thinking in a range of contexts.

Throughout this degree, you will hone your communication skills and work effectively with others from diverse cultural, linguistic and organisational backgrounds. You will learn to communicate effectively via appropriate formats, media and styles to a range of audiences, including peers, other professionals, government agencies, and the public.

The topics and subjects you explore in this course will allow you to design, conduct and evaluate evidence-based research in this field, and maintain social responsibility, ethics and integrity in professional settings.

These learning outcomes have been developed with consultation with key stakeholders and are consistent with the guidelines set by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

This degree is based in the social sciences with a comprehensive psychology specialisation, comprising 11 psychology subjects, 9 social science subjects and 4 electives.

Year 1

You'll study the foundations and principles of psychology, plus social science units that explore:

  • environmental studies
  • economics
  • social constructionism
  • philosophy
  • sociology
  • politics.

Year 2

The emphasis shifts from social science to psychology. Here you will explore biological, developmental, cognitive and social psychology as well as a smaller number of social science subjects. You'll also begin using electives to develop areas of specialisation.

Year 3

You'll cover advanced psychology subjects on:

  • psychological assessment
  • the philosophy of psychology
  • psychopathology
  • program management
  • program evaluation.

Students will also undertake a 35-day professional work placement.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
Program code: BP112
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
City Campus
Full-time 3 Years
BP112
035023D
Location
City Campus
Duration
Full-time 3 Years
Plan code
BP112
CRICOS
035023D
View plan
Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
City Campus
Full-time 3 Years
BP112
035023D
Location
City Campus
Duration
Full-time 3 Years
Plan code
BP112
CRICOS
035023D
View plan
Contact hours and study load

Full- or part-time study is determined by how many credit points you are enrolled in during the semester. An undergraduate study load is considered part-time if you are enrolled in 24 credit points or fewer (approximately two subjects).

Once you are enrolled into this degree you can choose to switch to a part-time study load. This may impact your program duration and tuition fees. Please discuss your study options with your program manager prior to enrolment.

Important information for international students

International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

You'll enjoy excellent employment prospects in the public, private and community sectors.

The skills learned in this course are especially relevant to areas such as child protection, human resource management, education, welfare and the health sector and in community-based agencies.

Graduates find work in areas including:

  • federal and state government departments (Centrelink, Department of Human Services)
  • disability services
  • rehabilitation services
  • community development programs
  • dispute mediation
  • employment placement and case management
  • equal employment opportunity program development
  • immigration advice and referral centres.

This degree also provides an academic foundation to pursue further specialised study in clinical, educational, organisational, developmental or forensic psychology.

This degree is the basis for further study if you want to become a practising psychologist.

To register as a psychologist, in addition to this degree, you'll need to complete the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and the Master of Clinical Psychology, or equivalent.

Career options

  • social psychologist
  • social researcher
  • social policy officer
  • organisational behaviour specialist
  • human resources manager
  • welfare service officer.
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The psychology sequence of study included in this degree is accredited with conditions by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Successful completion of an APAC-accredited undergraduate psychology specialisation is a partial requirement for registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Entry requirements and admissions

You must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent qualification).

Prerequisites

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4:

  • a study score of at least 25 in English other than EAL; or
  • a study score of at least 27 in English as an Additional Language (EAL)

or equivalent studies.

Rankings and adjustment factors

Entry to this program is competitive. Eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement plus any adjustment factors.

You may be eligible to receive adjustment factors which include equity access schemes and/or subject adjustments to a maximum of 28 aggregate adjustment points. For more information about what adjustment factors RMIT considers visit Admission to RMIT.

We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. The highest level of education you have previously completed will usually determine how you are ranked.

Selection criteria by applicant type

Please select the highest level of education you have or will be completing in order to find out the selection criteria that applies to you, in addition to meeting the above entry requirements.

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Entry to this program is competitive. Eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement. You will be ranked on your ATAR plus any adjustment factors.

Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12

School Network Access Program (SNAP)

The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary participation by giving priority access to RMIT diploma and degree programs to eligible applicants currently studying Year 12 at a SNAP partner school.

Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12 or whose highest qualification is a completed Year 12.

Subject adjustments

  • A study score of 25 in any Mathematics, Psychology or any Science equals 2 aggregate points per study.
  • Overall maximum of 8 points.

Regional adjustments

  • RMIT automatically allocates adjustment factors to applicants from a low socio-economic status area for all programs that select primarily on ATAR. 
  • Low socio-economic status areas are determined by applying the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation.

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult family and life circumstances, financial hardship and living with a disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant's most recent academic performance.
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each VTAC Equity schemes and scholarships and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Equity schemes and scholarships.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.

Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., level of TAFE qualification completed (including any adjustment factors).

We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. The highest level of education you have previously completed will usually determine how you are ranked.

You will be assigned a selection rank (comparable to an ATAR) based on your highest completed qualification:

  • Advanced Diploma: 81
  • Diploma: 72
  • Certificate IV: 54

Personal statement

You are encouraged to submit a personal statement of 300-500 words outlining:

  • your reasons for wanting to study this program
  • your intended career path
  • the personal strengths and attributes you will bring to the program
  • details of any related work or voluntary experience

If you do not submit a personal statement you will be considered on the basis of academic achievement only.

Applicants applying to RMIT through VTAC can complete and submit the VTAC personal statement via their online VTAC account.

Applicants applying Direct to RMIT can upload their completed personal statement via their online Direct application.

Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. Your overall score will be converted to an equivalent ATAR and competitively ranked for selection.

Your STAT results are valid for 2 years prior to the commencement of your study.

If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with vocational education and training study, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:

  • are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
  • have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
  • have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program.

You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.

You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult family and life circumstances, financial hardship and living with a disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant's most recent academic performance.
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each VTAC Equity schemes and scholarships and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Equity schemes and scholarships.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.

Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., GPA (including any adjustment factors).

We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. Previous fail grades in similar courses may affect your eligibility.

You must have successfully completed at least two courses (subjects) in an Australian bachelor degree or four courses (subjects) in an Australian associate degree, or overseas equivalent. You will be assigned a selection rank (comparable to an ATAR) based on your GPA. 

Personal statement

You are encouraged to submit a personal statement of 300-500 words outlining:

  • your reasons for wanting to study this program
  • your intended career path
  • the personal strengths and attributes you will bring to the program
  • details of any related work or voluntary experience

If you do not submit a personal statement you will be considered on the basis of academic achievement only.

Applicants applying to RMIT through VTAC can complete and submit the VTAC personal statement via their online VTAC account.

Applicants applying Direct to RMIT can upload their completed personal statement via their online Direct application.

Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. Your overall score will be converted to an equivalent ATAR and competitively ranked for selection.

Your STAT results are valid for 2 years prior to the commencement of your study.

If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with higher education study, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:

  • are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
  • have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
  • have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program.

You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.

You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult family and life circumstances, financial hardship and living with a disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant's most recent academic performance.
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each VTAC Equity schemes and scholarships and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Equity schemes and scholarships.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.

Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) score (including any adjustment factors).

You must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent qualification) and meet the stated prerequisites.

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.

Personal statement

You are encouraged to submit a personal statement of 300-500 words outlining:

  • your reasons for wanting to study this program
  • your intended career path
  • the personal strengths and attributes you will bring to the program
  • details of any related work or voluntary experience

If you do not submit a personal statement you will be considered on the basis of academic achievement only.

Applicants applying to RMIT through VTAC can complete and submit the VTAC personal statement via their online VTAC account.

Applicants applying Direct to RMIT can upload their completed personal statement via their online Direct application.

Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. Your overall score will be converted to an equivalent ATAR and competitively ranked for selection.

Your STAT results are valid for 2 years prior to the commencement of your study.

If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with work and life experience, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:

  • are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
  • have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
  • have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program.

You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.

You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:

Subject adjustments

  • A study score of 25 in any Mathematics, Psychology or any Science equals 2 aggregate points per study.
  • Overall maximum of 8 points.

Regional adjustments

  • RMIT automatically allocates adjustment factors to applicants from a low socio-economic status area for all programs that select primarily on ATAR. 
  • Low socio-economic status areas are determined by applying the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation.

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult family and life circumstances, financial hardship and living with a disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant's most recent academic performance.
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each VTAC Equity schemes and scholarships and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Equity schemes and scholarships.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.

Additional information

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This program includes practical placement. If you are successful in obtaining a place in the course, you must meet a number of immunisation and compliance requirements upon commencement of your studies.

Working With Children Check*

Applicants will be required to hold a valid Victorian Working with Children (WWC) Check (valid for 5 years) prior to undertaking professional placement as part of this program.

Note: For placements undertaken interstate a valid WWC Check is required for that state.

NDIS Worker Screening Check*

Applicants may be required to apply for, and receive an acceptable NDIS Worker Screening Check prior to undertaking professional placement with an NDIS provider as part of this program.

*All relevant screening and compliance check fees are the responsibility of the student. 

Non-academic abilities you'll need to complete this course

The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.

The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.

By understanding the types of activities you'll participate in, you can:

  • understand more about the program
  • determine if you may need support during your studies
  • make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you.

Adjustments

If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there is a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities.

Please contact the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team to discuss any adjustments you may require. To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS.

If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.

The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.

View inherent requirements

View the ATAR profile and selection rank from students offered a place into this course wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in the most relevant recent intake period.

View ATAR profile

The student profile provides insight into the likely peer group for this course.

View student profile

*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent Year 12 applicants.

RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options. Find out more about admission to RMIT.

Find RMIT on VTAC

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

You must have successfully completed a qualification recognised by RMIT as equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) with a minimum average of 70% (see calculator below).

Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies course or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.

Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.

Entry score calculator
Minimum Score Required

Don’t meet the requirements?

ATAR information for international students studying year 12 in Australia

If you are an international student studying year 12 in Australia, you may be able to apply via VTAC with your ATAR.

Find information about the ATAR selection rank* for this course in our ATAR for International students course finder.

*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent Year 12 applicants.

RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options. Find out more about admission to RMIT.

Find RMIT on VTAC

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.

Note: RMIT does not accept scores from 'at-home' or 'online' testing.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).

Additional information

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Non-academic abilities you'll need to complete this course

The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.

The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.

By understanding the types of activities you'll participate in, you can:

  • understand more about the program
  • determine if you may need support during your studies
  • make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you.

Adjustments

If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there is a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities.

Please contact the Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team to discuss any adjustments you may require. To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS.

If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.

The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.

View inherent requirements

This program includes practical placement. If you are successful in obtaining a place in the course, you must meet a number of immunisation and compliance requirements upon commencement of your studies.

Working With Children Check*

Applicants will be required to hold a valid Victorian Working with Children (WWC) Check (valid for 5 years) prior to undertaking professional placement as part of this program.

Note: For placements undertaken interstate a valid WWC Check is required for that state.

NDIS Worker Screening Check*

Applicants may be required to apply for, and receive an acceptable NDIS Worker Screening Check prior to undertaking professional placement with an NDIS provider as part of this program.

Pathways and further study

A pathway is an alternative way to get into a course. RMIT's pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for, even if you don't meet the requirements for your destination course.

Pathways into the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)

Even though there are no formal pathways into this course, there are often other ways you can gain entry. Contact Study@RMIT to discuss your options.

Further study

When you successfully complete this degree, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Honours or Postgraduate degree.

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You can gain entry to this degree from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study courses.

Coming from a partner institution?

RMIT has pathway arrangements with many partner institutions around the world.

If your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT you may be able to receive credit and reduce the time it will take to complete your preferred RMIT program.

Find out if your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT

If you have qualifications from an institution that is not an RMIT partner, credit into your RMIT program will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Honours or Postgraduate degree.

Credit and recognition of prior learning

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Find out more about Credit and RPL at RMIT

Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.

Fees

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2026 indicative fees

In 2026, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$4,738 to AU$17,399.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$373 maximum fee for 2026.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.

Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.

Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.

How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?

The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package. 

The fees in the table below apply to students who commence their program in 2026. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.

Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.

You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2026 for commencing students

Student contribution band by course (subject)

Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2026
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture $4,738 per standard year
$592 per standard (12 credit point) course
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology $9,537 per standard year
$1,192 per standard (12 credit point) course
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science $13,558 per standard year
$1,694 per standard (12 credit point) course
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture $17,399 per standard year
$2,174 per standard (12 credit point) course

Student Learning Entitlement

On 1 January 2022, the Government implemented the Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).

  • The SLE allows students 7 years of full-time subsidised study in Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP).
  • Your total SLE amount will be reduced in accordance with your overall study load in a CSP. 
  • Once you have utilised all your SLE, you can no longer study in a CSP.
Visit Study Assist for more information about SLE

HECS-HELP Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2026 is $373.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

Expand all sections

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2026 is $373. 

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

Scholarships

Check your eligibility for a scholarship

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Check your eligibility for a scholarship

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions
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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures