To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements of the degree in which you are enrolled:

To qualify for Honours in Psychology a student must complete satisfactorily 36 units of study as specified below. The program requires one year of full-time study or the equivalent part-time.

There is no automatic entry to the Honours program in Psychology.

Course aims

The aims of the Honours course in psychology are to build on earlier training to provide a broad base in contemporary psychological theory and research, to bring diverse psychology subject areas together by pointing to shared themes, issues, problems and techniques, and to enhance students' understanding of methodological and data analysis issues.

It aims to better acquaint students with the actual process of research, to show how Psychology can contribute to understanding and solving real-world problems, and to promote critical or evaluative thinking (e.g., about theory, methods, applications).

Learning outcomes

Students graduating with an Honours degree in Psychology should be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

  • knowledge of psychological theories in relation to a range of major areas within the discipline, such as social, developmental, cognitive, and abnormal psychology
  • knowledge of the principles of psychological assessment and measurement
  • an ability to critically evaluate theoretical claims and primary research
  • an ability to plan and conduct research to answer well-justified questions
  • knowledge of the ethical guidelines governing psychological research and clinical practice
  • an ability to connect their theoretical knowledge and learned psychological techniques to relevant real-world problems
  • an ability to distil key ideas from the literature and to communicate concepts and primary research in both written and oral form.

Program of study

Students undertake 18 units of thesis and 18 units of core topics.

Honours - Psychology - Thesis topics 

 PSYC7002A  Psychology Honours Thesis (9/18 units)  
 PSYC7002B  Psychology Honours Thesis (9/18 units)

Honours - Psychology - Core topics 

 PSYC7006  Contemporary Issues in Psychology  (4.5 units)
 PSYC7007  Applications of Psychology  (4.5 units)
 PSYC7056A  Research and Practice in Psychology: Part 1  (4.5 units)
 PSYC7056B  Research and Practice in Psychology: Part 2  (4.5 units)