Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology)

3 years full-time

Learning and teaching

RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations, group discussions and syndicate work. These are primarily in English.

You will have access to the Learning Hub and other online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal.

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects, laboratory projects and practical assignments.

Program structure

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.

And 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.

The electives are cross-cultural and organisational psychology, forensic psychology, psychology of gender or health and sport psychology.

Honours

An Honours year in Psychology is available.

All students undertaking placements are required to have a clear, current police check and a Working with Children check.

The following program structure(s) is an example of what students are currently studying in this program.

The Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) involves a research project where you work one-on-one with staff on staff-initiated research projects.

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

You could work in organisational management, health, sport, cross-cultural studies, counselling, HR, with people with disabilities, research, training, market research and, with further study, teaching.

Professional recognition and accreditation

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

It is also a partial requirement for registration as a psychologist with the Victorian Psychologists' Registration Board, subject to further study or clinical practice.

This program has been accredited with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council until 2017, at which time RMIT will reapply for further accreditation for another full 5 years.

RMIT has been accredited to deliver psychology programs for 3 decades.

You must meet the University entry requirements for this type of program.

Program entry requirements

Prerequisites

Current Year 12 prerequisite units 1 and 2—Mathematics (any). Units 3 and 4—any one of Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Psychology or Physics, and a study score of at least 30 in English (ESL) or at least 25 in any other English.

Selection tasks

Form: Non-Year 12 applicants must complete and submit a VTAC Personal History online.

All students undertaking placements are required to have a clear, current police check and a Working with Children check at the beginning of each academic year.

1. Check program entry requirements and confirm you're eligible.

2. Check and complete the selection tasks (if applicable) by the relevant closing date - these tasks are listed in the program entry requirements.

3. Check the table below for how to apply.

4. Apply using the appropriate method by the closing date.

Application method

Equity access

If circumstances have interrupted or disadvantaged your access to education, RMIT offers equity access schemes that allow selection officers to give applicants extra consideration, which may improve your prospects of studying at RMIT.

Tuition fees vary according to program and are adjusted annually.

In a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) your tuition fee is shared between you and the Commonwealth Government - if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Fee assistance

As a Commonwealth supported student, you may be able to either:

• pay all or part of your student contribution up front and receive a 10% discount, or
• defer your tuition fees through the HECS-HELP loan scheme.

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

Other fees

In addition to tuition fees you will also pay the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF). You may be able to defer the fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme.

There may be other additional expenses and administrative fees associated with your studies.

• Current Year 12 and Non-Year 12 - Successful completion of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) or the Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology), followed by the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) (Honours) or the Graduate Diploma in Psychology.
• Degree graduate in another discipline - Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Behavioural Science, followed by the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) Honours or the Graduate Diploma in Psychology.
• Degree graduate with APS-accredited major - Successful completion of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) Honours or the Graduate Diploma in Psychology.

Learn more about pathways or if you are eligible for credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

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