Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology)
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Melbourne City: ATAR 68.10. Bundoora: ATAR: 65.15.
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Duration
Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years
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Location
Melbourne city campus, Bundoora
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Fees
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Next intake
February, July
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Entry score
IELTS 6.5
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Duration
Full-time 3 years
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Location
Melbourne city campus, Bundoora
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Fees
AU$32,640 (2018 annual)
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Next intake
February, July
Program brochure
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Overview
Psychology is the science of the mind and human behaviour. You will examine mental states and processes and how they affect human behaviour.
RMIT specialises in clinical psychology, based on a cognitive-behavioural approach. All degrees are accredited by Australian Psychological Society.
RMIT’s psychology program applies research to actual situations to resolve real human problems.
Your studies will include the biological bases of behaviour including brain behaviour relationships, sensation, perception and consciousness, theories of learning, memory and cognition emotion, motivation and stress.
Psychology studies include the principles of personality, psychopathology and social psychology as well as biological psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, research methods in psychology and social psychology.
You can also undertake elective studies in nutrition, information technology, applied psychology, health statistics, computer science and any electives available across the university.
As a psychology student you will gain strong theoretical and practical skills. The program is the basis for further study if you want to become a practising psychologist or use your study in other careers.
To register as a psychologist, you'll need to complete the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology), the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) (Honours) and the Master of Clinical Psychology (2 years full-time), or equivalent programs recognised by the Australian Psychological Society.
Psychologists study the processes around how people think and feel. They work closely with patients to understand their mental state and how this is impacting on their behaviours.
Psychologists conduct research and provide treatments including counselling to help reduce distress, behavioural problems and psychological problems. They work with a broad range of clients in a variety of circumstances including children, adults, couples, families and organisations.
Details
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, workshops, presentations, and group discussions. These are primarily in English.
You'll have access to online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects, and practical assignments.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
The program involves a research project where you work one-on-one with staff on staff-initiated research projects.
You will also have the option of completing a 15-day industry placement.
The psychology component of the degree is 25% of first year, 62.5% of second year and 62.5% of third year.
The remaining courses include occupational health and safety, nutrition and applied psychology, disability studies, health statistics, computer science and geography.
Year 1
You'll study these foundation areas:
- biological bases of behaviour including brain behaviour relationships, sensation, perception and consciousness
- theories of learning, memory and cognition (including theories of intelligence)
- theories of emotion, motivation and stress
You will also study these principles of psychology:
- personality
- psychopathology
- social psychology
Year 2
You'll study biological psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, research methods in psychology and social psychology.
Year 3
The third year includes philosophy and methodology of psychology, psychological assessment and individual differences, psychology in society and organisations, psychopathology and models of intervention, and a research project.
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council elective examples:
- Cross-cultural and Organisational Psychology
- Forensic Psychology
- Psychology of Gender
- Health and Sport Psychology
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) | Bundoora Campus |
3 years full time
6 years part time
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3 years full time
|
BP154 | 029765E | |
| Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) | City Campus |
3 years full time
|
3 years full time
|
BP154 | 029765E |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP154
Career
As a graduate of the psychology program, you 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.
To register as a psychologist, you'll need to complete the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology), the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) (Honours) and the Master of Psychology (2 years full-time), or equivalent programs recognised by the Australian Psychological Society.
Psychology is a broad field with many areas of specialisation including counselling, sport psychology, educational psychology, organisational psychology, and forensic psychology.
Psychologists work in a wide range of environments including:
- hospitals
- universities
- general medical practices
- community health centres
- private practice
- educational institutions
- counselling agencies
- government departments
The psychology major in the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) is a partial requirement for membership of the Australian Psychological Society.
It is also a partial requirement for registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia, subject to further study or clinical practice.
This program has been accredited with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.
Admissions
Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent.
RMIT is committed to admissions transparency. View the 2018 ATAR distribution information for our degrees and information about how admissions work at RMIT.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 65% average (check calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program 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.
If you don't meet the entry requirements, there may be other RMIT programs you are eligible for that can lead you to your preferred program. Explore pathway options.
Entry requirements
Current Year 12 prerequisites - units 1 and 2 - Mathematics (any). Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 20 in one of Geography, Mathematics (any) or Science (any); and a study score of at least 25 in any English (except EAL) or at least 30 in English (EAL).
Mathematics and one of Geography or any Science; or
VCE Units 1 and 2 of any Mathematics and VCE Units 3 and 4 in one of Geography or any Science, with a study score of at least 20.
Form: Non-Year 12 applicants may submit additional information if they would like it to be considered.
- For semester 1 intake, this can be completed through the VTAC Personal Statement online.
- For semester 2 intake, this can be completed through the personal statement in the Apply Direct application.
SEAS Form: This is a gender under-represented program and awards SEAS bonus points to male applicants. To be eligible you must submit a VTAC SEAS application and select category 1.
Working With Children Check: Students must hold a valid Working With Children Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program.
Police Check: Students must present evidence of a successful National Police Record Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- Academic IELTS (minimum scores) overall band of 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0
- TOEFL (Paper-based): minimum score of 580 (with a Test of Written English (TWE) score of 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet-based): minimum score of 92 with a minimum of 20 in each section
- Cambridge English (Advanced CAE): CAE Grade B
- Pearson: Minimum score of 58 (no communication band less than 50).
Working with Children Checks
Before undertaking some of the practical components of this course, students must provide a satisfactory National Police Records Check obtained in the current enrolment year, and a valid Working with Children Check. Failure to hold satisfactory checks may result in students being limited in the opportunities available in the course.
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 Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Non-academic abilities you'll need to complete this program
Some inherent requirements for this program include:
- reading, writing and number skills for understanding and contributing to client
- assessment notes and analysing data
- managing your behaviour and emotions to provide safe and competent client care
- time-based problem-solving when working with clients
View the full list of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) inherent requirements.
Non-academic abilities you'll need to complete this program
Some inherent requirements for this program include:
- reading, writing and number skills for understanding and contributing to client
- assessment notes and analysing data
- managing your behaviour and emotions to provide safe and competent client care
- time-based problem-solving when working with clients
View the full list of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) inherent requirements.
Who are they for?
Inherent requirements apply to every applicant and may be worth considering if you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition.
Why do you need to know?
By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, and the non-academic abilities you may need in this program, 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
What support is available?
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, please discuss this with RMIT program staff or the Equitable Learning Services (ELS).
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we may be able to support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.
To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with ELS.
Pathways
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) or the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology), you may be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) (Honours).
Degree graduates in another discipline who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Behavioural Science may be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) (Honours).
When you successfully complete this program you may be eligible for entry to the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) (Honours).
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT honours or other postgraduate programs.
Fees
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available.
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
As a CSP student, you may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which allows you to defer payment of up to 100% of your student contribution.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. 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 2018
| Student contribution band by course (subject) | Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2018 |
|---|---|
| Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing | $6,444 per standard year $805 per standard (12 credit point) course |
| Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture | $9,185 per standard year $1,148 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Band 3: law, accounting, administration, economics, commerce, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science |
$10,754 per standard year $1,344 per standard (12 credit point) course |
HECS-HELP
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 100% of their student contribution.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your HECS-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 will 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 2018 is $298.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA‑HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2018 is AU$32,640.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2018 commencement is AU$99,840.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.